You may already have a 2026 Content Plan in progress. But if not, here’s a gift to you. We’ve put together a simple month by month content prompt to inspire and motivate you. It’s not exhaustive and it’s always worth double checking details before you publish, but it’s a reliable place to start. Think of
It’s almost the end of Cup Week… and I am exhausted. Yet I haven’t attended one race day. Because amongst the mixed messaging about gambling and alcohol (which could be the subject of more than one master’s thesis), there has been an onslaught of commentary about what women wear. The takedown? That dress is… Too
This Halloween, let’s confront an all-too-common spectre — the ghost in the workplace. Sometimes hard to spot; sometimes you are not sure if you believe what you’ve seen. But it happens. And is more common than we’d like to admit. Yes, we all get busy, and lapses in communication happen. When ghosting becomes a pattern,
When you see a news headline about high-profile figures that seems to have come from insiders, there are questions to be asked. The first question that comes to mind is – why? What’s happening behind the scenes? The second question? What does the internal comms team say? Because media relations and internal engagement are more
If there’s one phrase that guarantees an audible groan in our home? A politician responding to a straight question with the formulaic: “we have been clear.” (Or it’s more defiant cousin, “we have been VERY clear.”) It is too said frequently in media interviews. By people of all political persuasions. Even if, hand on heart,
It’s a great boredom buster on road trips and a handy party game. Super easy, all you need to do is pick your favourite of two choices. While ostensibly a kids’ game, it’s also a good icebreaker for team-building days. Insider tip: kids’ games for adults are great because everyone already knows how to play!
The days are stretching longer; the warmth is slowly returning. It is perfect time to pause and reflect. Where are you at? As a leader, a professional or as part of a team? ✅ Is it time to review progress?✅ To revisit ambitions?✅ To refresh your thinking? September is a season for growth. Whether that’s
If you are Australian, like me, congrats! You were born in a safe, wealthy country; you hit the genetic jackpot. So, why are so many angry at those who weren’t as lucky and just want what you already have? Yes, generations before us might have made good choices, but we didn’t. We got lucky. Wouldn’t
Meet Eunoia Communications favourite employee and life-work advocate! He is our four-legged health and welfare co-ordinator, Rufus, who reminds us daily about the importance of eating well, exercise and taking well-earned breaks (especially an afternoon nap). Of the 6.4 million dogs living in Australian households, he’s our special one. Truly making our lives better. Here’s
The withdrawal of several identities from Bendigo Writers Festival was, regrettably, an example of the tension faced by event organisers who must manage expectations to ‘do no harm’ and allow a diversity of ideas and opinions. It was reported in The Age that writers – several of whom I greatly respect – withdrew after participants were issued
My husband (an IT expert) once joked I’d use a CD-ROM as a drink holder. Even my 10-year-old beats me to mastering the TV remote. So how did I end up running AI workshops? My curiosity was sparked by Adam Spencer, the math-loving comedian, who helped me see AI not as a threat but as a tool.
The recent Coldplay kiss-cam moment got me thinking. Not so much about the reported incident (there are worse things happening in the world) but about the reaction that followed. Viral memes, parody videos, fake statements and impersonator accounts, it felt like every digital corner had something to say in mocking tones. It was wild to
From Kusama x Louis Vuitton to Pharrell x Brainchild, bold creative partnerships remind us: unexpected combinations can spark magic. That same energy inspired my sister and I to work together – despite being wired completely differently. She’s the detail-obsessed print and production brain; I’m the words and strategy person (more info on the PR Sister
Your logo and visual identity are important, so a comprehensive design style guide is essential. Your brand also covers your messaging, so a clear writing style guide matters. Your brand is tone of voice and how you show up across digital channels, which means a strong communications or media policy is required. None of this
Here’s a question to think about. When should comms NOT be at the executive table?🤔An organisational restructure with redundancies?🤔An employee bargaining negotiation? Just two instances where it might be tempting – even flattering – to be invited into the inner circle. But… 🤔What is your purpose?🤔Are you there for advice or validation? When decisions are
Is your end of month (or end of year report) due next week? What will it say? You might discover you have been caught in the comms activity trap – emails sent, articles published, social posts scheduled. We’ve all been there. Busy, productive… But activity ≠ impact. A key sign your communication function is growing
As a natural-born organiser (with a minor in people-pleasing), I like my daily tasks like I liked my CDs – categorised by genre and alphabetised. But sometimes, life takes my carefully crafted plans, throws them into a blender and serves them back to me as a “character-building” experience. (Surely, I have enough character by now?)
Where do you start when you are not in the position of influence that comms deserves to be? Well, a good whinge might make you feel better in the short term. But it’s better to rewrite the playbook. Start by doing what the accountants, lawyers and operating chiefs already do: position communications as business-critical! Frame
A totally unofficial (but kinda accurate) scale of online visibility… 🔲 0–500 connections: The Quiet ObserverYou’re here. Somewhere. Quietly absorbing content like a social sponge. You haven’t posted (much) but you know what’s happening! 🔲 500–1,000 connections: The Emerging LeaderYou appear just enough to make us go, “Hey, look at you!” Your feed is a
In most organisations, particularly traditional or government ones, the executive table is hallowed ground. Reserved for roles perceived as controlling risk, driving revenue, keeping spenders in check, and shaping strategy. That typically means:🟡 CEO – obviously!🟡 Chief Financial Officer – guardian of the dollars, responsible for financial health and sustainability🟡 Chief Operating Officer or Directors
In an ideal world, of course, communications would have a seat at the executive table. No question. (And internal comms teams would be worshipped like gods… but that’s a story for another day.) But the reality? Many organisations still don’t get the true value of communication as a risk mitigator. And while we wait for common sense
How cool is it that Mindful in May – the global meditation and mindfulness campaign – was founded by Melbourne’s own Dr Elise Bialylew (author of The Happiness Plan, which is now on my must-read list)? Mindfulness and meditation became important to me during one of the toughest chapters of my career. Thanks to this “growth” experience,
With only days left until the final votes are cast, it’s tempting to think the hard part is almost over. Spoiler alert: it’s not. Elections are just the start. The real work happens once the (vegetarian) democracy sausages are eaten, the speeches are made and the cheers settle down. Electing leaders is the first step
If you know me well, you know I thrive on the energy of adult conversations (the kind where you’re solving a communication challenge over coffee). And I love being a parent. It’s a joy. But combining the two? I’m a card-carrying member of the Guilty Working Mum Club. Most days feel like a never-ending balancing
Local government is an issues-rich environment. That’s to be expected when an organisation delivers more than 100 services to a diverse community. It’s a sector that can be tough to love at times. Understandably so, it’s the tier of government closest to the community. Everyone has an opinion. That’s what makes working in (and with)
Why let the truth get in the way of a good story?! Well, because, as we all know transparency and trust are essential to good governance. They foster much-needed accountability. And greater public trust makes our jobs as communicators just that little bit easier. When political conversation is reduced to misinformation, clickbait or soundbites, it’s
Not that I would do it myself. But if someone was opportunistic and a multi-million-dollar supermarket didn’t have effective loss prevention measures, I shrug my shoulders. Lately, though, it doesn’t feel petty. There’s barely a day when I pop into the shops for bread and milk without seeing someone leave with unpaid-for items. Recently, my
We have high expectations for our leaders, rightly so, but there’s also personal accountability. Avoid being disempowered and disappointed by choosing the wrong person to work with. Our senior execs are an “it” factor that too often gets overlooked. When considering a new role, you might need a greater challenge, convenient location or financial incentive.
It seems to be an appropriate time to express a distaste for hunting of any type, given that the ‘influencer v baby wombat’ story is still gaining traction. Another type of hunting is equally unappealing. With so much talent on the market right now, many organisations might be tempted to go on a “unicorn hunt.”
It’s a question asked too many times that needs to be binned. Because it’s a nonsense question. Firstly, the question demands a yes or a no answer. Life is never about binary choices. There’s a lot of grey and nuance (which is great) Second, it’s inherently sexist. Prompted to think about this after a post
International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on 8 March. It is a time to celebrate the empowerment, leadership and achievements of women around the And it is so much more than cupcakes, power lunches and inspiring speeches. It is about taking real action and progress. This week is an opportunity to talk about the
You’ve worked hard to get where you are. Time and effort put into qualifications, growth through personal development and optimised wellbeing. You’ve delivered results and maybe, an award or recognition along the way. But are you there yet? Here’s the reality. Your reputation isn’t built on your biggest wins alone. It’s the small, everyday moments
Somebody should have warned me. Apparently everyone else seemed to know… but I didn’t. We recently enjoyed a family holiday at a tourist hotspot – unknown to us, a spot renowned for what I have unoriginally labelled “selfish” selfies. It was a battleground of tripods, sticks and hair flicks. I awkwardly laughed as I muscled
Watching the vote count for the by-elections for two Victorian seats got me thinking about political communication. Especially as, in 2025, we’ll have a Federal Election and some remarkable electorate changes. It is being reported that, for the first time, Gen Z and Millennials will outnumber Boomers in every state and territory. This is a
Too many times, when working in local government, I heard the same whining about councils needing to focus on core service delivery (usually at social BBQ, which was always appreciated). Stick to your knitting, they said. Great! Awesome. Let’s save some money! We’ll just focus on waste and roads. Waste? That means we’ll just collect
Like so many working parents, the last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of back-to-school preparations. From picking up book and stationery orders to getting new uniforms and shoes (seriously, how fast do kids grow?), new haircuts and managing all the emotions (mostly mine, not hers) — it’s been a busy time. One thing
The festive break offered a chance to catch up on reading and reflection. I’ve been especially curious to read articles about what might lie ahead for us. There’s an art to forecasting and trend-spotting that is beyond most of us, myself included. Thankfully, there is no shortage of modern-day Nostradamuses offering their predictions and insights. Here are
At home, one headache-inducing phrase is “𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝘆…” It’s usually “yelled” when someone is running late… to an activity, event or appointment. Most frequently misplaced items are keys (mine), Myki cards and shoes (Miss 9’s ballet slippers). You can avoid these timewasting situations by “putting things away after you have used them.” It’s the same
As we head to the end of the year, more and more people are saying how “busy” they’ve been or how quickly the months have flown by. These sentiments, often shared in passing, are appreciated. Sometimes, it is a genuine sign of our full lives. It can also create a ripple effect, prompting self-reflection about
At the same time every year, like clockwork, Mariah Carey is defrosted and the world braces itself for another edition of Whamageddon. And I step onto my soapbox to declare how much I loathe the festive season. I’ve tried not to, believe me. Focusing on family and friends, hoping it will spark some joy. I’ve endured
Too often, when something goes wrong, the blame is placed squarely on an individual rather than on the system or process that contributed to the failure. This approach forgets that most failures are systemic and, as I am learning, there are almost always multiple warning signs. As someone who loves podcasts, reading, and social media
This was the simple yet insightful observation from our nine-year-old. And I loved it as the perfect metaphor for explaining communication styles. From one perspective, it’s a lovely way of saying she prefers reading while I like writing. But it also describes how we engage, express our thoughts, and connect with others. A “bookworm” thrives
There are few problems in the workplace that are truly insurmountable – this one of my core beliefs. I always thought that with perspective and creativity, almost anything can be solved. That was until I met our kitchen (which is now qualifies as a work problem – it is the office canteen). Despite a weekend
November is the perfect month to analyse and plan content for the year ahead. It’s a bit like budgeting—the more time you invest in the setup, the easier it becomes and the bigger the return. Organising now means avoiding the stress of last-minute content creation and ensuring you share consistent, purposeful posts that resonate with
Halloween special! Every June and December, stories abound of employees being made redundant with little or no warning. These individuals often have no opportunity to say farewell to colleagues, no recognition for their contributions (sometimes spanning over a decade), and no well-wishes from management for their future endeavours. The abruptness can feel like ghosting –
Here are some buzzwords. Can you spot the sector that uses them most commonly? They were all words most frequently used in the military, fashion or politics. Most commonly known as jargon, they are terms that are increasingly creeping into everyday language. It makes sense that different sectors use specific language to achieve precision or
On our recent family holiday, our nine-year-old daughter met another girl her age. Although they were from different countries and didn’t share a common language, that didn’t stop them from connecting. They spent time laughing, showing each other things that fascinated them, and enjoying a temporary friendship. It reminded me how naturally children break down
It was a busy week for our household when Miss Nine reminded her parents of valuable lesson. She asked for a playdate, but her friends were busy. She asked us to set aside what we were doing, and we didn’t. Predictably, she asked for the iPad and was told no. So, she was bored. I
There are dealbreakers, boundaries and saying no is important. We know this. So why do we still struggle – particularly when dealing with senior colleagues? When a work relationship becomes strained, our instinct can be to log onto job sites or adopt a silent approach. There is a better way: repair. Repairing a work relationship
Today’s successful leaders recognise the importance of adopting and being empowered by a multidisciplinary approach. Excelling in just one area is no longer enough—leaders who pave the way forward are those who also have strong interpersonal skills and public relations (PR) knowledge. These skills can help leaders better navigate the challenges, ensure consistent communication, and
History – watching or reading documentaries – is a favourite pastime in our household. Yes, we are nerds. We love that it allows us to time travel and explore the lives and decisions of those who shaped this world (inspired by Indiana Jones much?). I particularly love the stories about women—leaders, warriors, inventors and artists.
Are the shadows of sexism, ageism and discrimination in the workplace behind us, or do they remain stubbornly pervasive. It’s a question worth reflecting on this week as we mark Women’s Health Week and have an opportunity to focus on women’s health and well-being. Most of us would look back and agree, we have made
We’re swapping words for pics and videos faster than you can say “cheese!” And while everyone knows video content needs planning, photos often get sold short. Let’s be honest. Stiff cheque handovers and “police line-up” group photos aren’t doing anyone any favours. Yes, sometimes you’re stuck. Maybe it’s a massive group shot or a community
Quick Question: who is your most important internal stakeholder? Did you pick one? Want to choose two? Or did you want to select the only suggestion missing from this answer set – ‘All of the above’? Actually, it’s a trick question. In the grand scheme of things, all your internal stakeholders are essential (especially the
When the alarm went off at 5am, and my family snuck downstairs to watch the closing ceremony, I was reminded of the profound impact this event has had. Despite not being particularly sports-minded, I can admire this exhibition of endurance, inspiration and athleticism. So many iconic moments were captured, from the surf to the stadium.
Recent gender-based attacks are a powerful reminder that there is still much work to do about the representations of men and women in the media, politics and society. A recent Newsweek article bemoaned that Taylor Swift, at 34, hasn’t married or had children. Apparently, this makes her a questionable role model. Jennifer Aniston has also
Practice is a word I repeatedly use – personally and professionally. I tell our daughter to practice her guitar, writing and spelling, maths, and dance routines. When she gets frustrated and announces that she can’t do something, I respond with that magic word “yet.” “You can’t do it yet; you need to practice.” In my
Communication teams are too often required to grapple with fulfilling short-notice stakeholder requests (which, to bystanders, can seem like demands to achieve magic). Hate to disappoint, but a communications professional with a hidden wand capable of instantly conjuring solutions is rare. They may exist, but it is more likely that effective communication will take time
One of the lessons handy to learn early in your career is that being a people-pleaser doesn’t actually please anyone. Least of all… yourself. Becoming a parent helped me to realise that compromising myself – juggling too many responsibilities and trying to maintain harmony with others – was people-pleasing. I now know it’s not honest
Were you scared of the dark when you were eight? Did you believe monsters were lurking in the closet or under the bed? That’s how many people sound to me when they talk about AI. Convinced AI is nothing more than another scary monster. Like that eight-year-old still trying to grasp their world, these concerns
Someone once told me that life is too short to feel stuck in a job. Never was a truer word spoken to me. It was a light bulb moment. A reminder it was time to reset priorities. Just when I was feeling lost about my next move. Without the nudge, I would’ve stayed put. Out
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.” Shakespeare, Romeo + Juliet What to call myself in my new consulting role was a greater challenge than I anticipated. And I didn’t expect any challenge in this regard. When I began the business, I initially lent
Back in the day when I was a rookie journalist, I would be genuinely excited to interview our political leaders (many long-retired now). Imagine my shock when I discovered that some just wanted to get the photo over and done with; only to hastily depart. Imagine my shock when the Federal Minister I most admired
Media interviews can be tricky. Most people think the hard part is wrangling journo’s or getting consensus on a media statement. It can be. But backing media talent also requires extra “attention to detail.” This is way beyond looking for spelling and grammar edits. As a comms person, your key goal is to provide them
In the course of a writer’s career, it is an unfortunate truth that – at some point – you will hit publish, only to find a typo the next day. As a bystander to Burke Road, Camberwell, being spelt the same as Bourke Street, Melbourne, I have had a strong sense of caution when it
As someone privileged to enjoy their career, the idea of winning the lottery and an early retirement never appealed to me. Nor did I want to stay in any organisation past my used-by date. Deciding to open my own business wasn’t easy, it was a risk but one month into consulting, I am grateful for
Start of the final quarter of the financial year means it’s time to get real about planning the production of everyone’s favourite corporate document, the Annual Report. While the accountants crunch their numbers, creatives will be hard at work capturing the story behind the data. Producing an annual report used to be the least favourite
If you have children under the age of 10 in your life, you will know all about the beloved family animation series, Bluey. Popular among children and adults alike, one of the favourite characters in our household is the uncouth hand puppet, Unicorse. Especially his hilarious but irritating catch cry, “Aaaaaand, why should I care?” It