Week 5 Reading

Week Five Readings;

'Internal and Community Relations' Chapter 11 in Public Relations: theory and practise

PRIA Case Studies

I believe the Key Messages from this weeks readings were;
The 'Internal and Community Relations' chapter presented the key messages of the reading to be that Internal and community relations should be the main priorities in Public Relations. Public Relations plays a very important role as the 'social conscience' for many companies and this helps to build goodwill within the surrounding community. Internal Relations has also been recognised as an important link between job satisfaction and productivity. This works in reverse also, as an unsatisfied employee can damage a company's image.

The Case Studies highlighted the challenges campaigns face and what strategies they employed to achieved their goals.

The Key Points in the Readings could be applied to my group's work in that they;
The Case studies were particularly helpful in highlighting the strategic planning that is involved in PR and how to set out our strategic plan, as well as some important issues to consider. It was good to see a 'real' PR plan (particularly the Australia Day Council, as we have seen the success of this for ourselves) and how they deal with challenges and achieved their goals.

The 'Internal and Community Relations' chapter, was also very relevant to my group work. A major part of my group assignment relates to community relations. This chapter provided some very helpful information as to how to find out what community members are feeling and thinking, as well as how to include the public in decision making, therefore building a greater relationship with the community, and a feeling of 'ownership' over decisions made and as if the community is part of the organisation's 'club.'

The Readings made me think more about Public Relations practise;
Both the readings made me think about how much work goes into every PR strategic plan, and how the background work, such as research can really make a difference to the outcome of the plan.

The Readings related to the other readings I've done in previous weeks in that;
I think the 'Internal and Community Relations' chapter flowed on from the previous weeks readings, highlighting the main areas of importance for PR practitioners, Strategy, Research, Media Relations and Internal and Community Relations.

I also feel the Case studies continue to support my growing understanding of PR, and the role it plays within organisations.