Home » How We Think » Street Talk
It seems like just yesterday we were all bracing for the end of the world.
It was on the tip of seemingly everyone's tongue... articles were written, advisories were issued, blog posts were posted, candles were lit... it was this IR generation's "Y2K" and - at the time - it seemed scarier than a Willow Smith song.
Looking back today, all the tumult seems kinda cute if not plain ole silly. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO... THE FIFTH ANALYST CALL?
Remember that radical idea of talking to investors about the various components of the proxy material? It was THE hot topic this time a year ago and both sides of the argument seemed pretty hot under the collar about it. Then - quicker than you can say "web disclosure" (note to Mike O'Brien: this is not a reference to any previous, current or future product of yours) - the conversation was over.
Don't tell me we're already hanging up on this idea. I always liked the idea if, for no other reason, it seemed like a good wake-up call for companies as to how to focus their IR efforts.
Anyone planning on having a fifth analyst call with investors this year? Any takeaways from the fifth analyst call concept that you are applying another way to the proxy solicitation process?
Brothers and sisters... we have gathered here today to talk about the power of the letter!
When handled properly, this power can galvanize people, shape perceptions and manage expectations. This power knows no geographic boundaries. This power knows no technological limitations.
This power comes from inclusion, not exclusion... from looking ahead, not looking down... from aspiration, not recollection... the power of the letter comes from building, not from justifying.
Do you have this power?
If you have to think about it for more than a few seconds then you probably don't. And that's a shame because the power of the letter is within your grasp... shoot, for many of you, it's within your control.
Click here to learn how you can capture the power of the letter. Remember, more investors will read this piece than will meet with the CEO in a given year. Therefore, it is critical that this section of the annual report be crafted carefully to maximize its potential impact.
Now that we've all (hopefully) had a chance to look back on the year that was, it's time to turn our attention to the year that will be. IR Magazine recently asked yours truly - along with some truly knowledgeable folks - what will be the biggest test for investor relations in 2012. I thought it was managing investor expectations for future financial performance and use of cash in a still-volatile market. (You can get the "full monty" here.)
As you look ahead, what do you think 2012 will bring?
A few of you have asked why there were no "Robbie" awards handed out in 2011. Well... there's a good reason, it's because... ummmmm... well, the reason is that... ah... okay, there's no reason other than operator error.
So... let me start the New Year on the right foot and hand out a first-ever Robbie for the Best Holiday Card Not Designed by Dix & Eaton.
(drum roll)
I don't know about you, but I thought there were a lot of really sharp cards this year - both print and electronic. By and large, the designs were clever and the messages were much more upbeat than the recent past. That said, of the various cards I received (and thank you for those of you who had an extra card to send me), there was one that made me literally LOL and immediately pass along to others so they could enjoy as well.
Therefore, without further ado, the first-ever Robbie award for the Best Holiday Card Not Designed by Dix & Eaton goes... Collier Creative (which I believe is "Austrialian for Mindblowing Design") and this hilarious card still makes me laugh.
If there was a better business holiday card, I didn't see it. Did you get any holiday cards at work that should be in the running for this award?
