What’s your biggest fear? Unearthing a nest of Parktown prawns? Having to make it through a day without the internet? Being interviewed on live television by an adversarial host?
If you relate strongly to the last scenario, you’ll be most interested to note that Flow Communications is currently providing training and facilitation to the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism (IAJ) for its “Dealing with the Media” course. The three-day course offers a theoretical background, useful tips and practical sessions aimed at helping professional communicators to be more prepared when it comes to facing members of the media.
“Flow Communications has a wealth of journalistic, public relations and training experience, which positions us perfectly to facilitate this course for the IAJ,” says Flow CEO Tara Turkington.
Tara joined Flowstars Colin Ford, Shoni Makhari, Mildred Thabane, Laura Maggs, Stuart Dickinson, Bianca Bothma and honorary Flowstar Kate Turkington to train delegates from government and the private sector on how to make the most of their interactions and relationships with the print, broadcast and online media.
“The Flow media trainers brought energy, perspective, intelligence, experience and that is amazing. I’ve heard a lot of good things from the delegates,” said Aniesha Bulbulia, business development manager at the IAJ.
The course includes a practical session, which always proves popular and beneficial.
Here’s what some of the delegates had to say:
“I deal with this sort of thing every day, but this course really opened my eyes. I was put in such a tight spot that I had to think fast. It’s so relevant to my career. I am very glad I did it.” – Busaphi Nxumalo, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department
“I never expected [the press conference] to be like that. I thought I would walk in and things would go smoothly. I really learned a lot from this course and it took me out of my comfort zone.” – Agnes Malwane, Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)
“It was very exciting. In fact ‘brilliant’ is the word I would use.” – Sizwe Pamla, National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union
“The course was fruitful for us. The highlight was dealing with interviews and the press conference. This is an experience that you can use every day to become a better communicator.” – Jacob Molete, GCIS
This is the third time Flow has facilitated for the IAJ – previous sessions were held in March 2011 and May 2011.
Disclaimer: While we constantly receive favourable feedback on the efficacy of our media training, we are unfortunately unable to do assist in dealing with fears associated with Parktown prawns or internetlessness.