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Showing posts with the label Training

N-E-X-T: Where Strategy Meets Storytelling

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  We've been a little quiet, but there's been good reason for that – we've been busy evolving. Oh, and we launched The Third Degree somewhere in there too. (Sleep is overrated, right) The communications world has shifted dramatically, and frankly, so have we. What started as traditional PR work has grown into something much more strategic. We're calling it N-E-X-T because this feels like a genuine upgrade in how we approach client partnerships. What's Different Now Honestly? We've become more selective about the work we take on, and more focused on the work that actually moves the needle. These days, we're spending more time in boardrooms than press rooms – helping brands think through their long-term positioning, not just their next social media post, op-ed or press release. That behind-the-scenes strategy work we mentioned? It's become our sweet spot. We're the team you call when you need to figure out your story before you tell it to the world...

Are You a Dirty Consultant? She Was! (Part 1)

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At Orchan, we’ve seen consulting at its best - and at its glossiest. Dirty Consultant is our no-nonsense series calling out the theatre, the buzzwords, and the shiny distractions that get in the way of real change. Because true consulting isn’t about polished decks or clever algorithms; it’s about rolling up sleeves, getting into the grit, and facing the messy human reality head-on. Are you a dirty consultant? She was. Back then, she didn’t sit behind a shiny desk. She pulled night shifts. She rode shotgun with truckers. She sweated it out in the warehouse. She asked the tough questions: to managers in ties, and to workers in boots. She refused to give advice until she knew what the advice meant for the people who had to live with it. That was consulting. Now? Consultants stroll in polished and perfect. Designer suits. Fresh slides. Laptops glowing like neon signs. They sell “platforms” and “solutions” and “engagement dashboards.” But they won’t get their hands di...

Revisited | Six Deadly Blindfolds (Reinvention II)

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Six Deadly Blindfolds (Reinvention II) We are all guilty! We are guilty of not seeing the bigger picture. We are guilty of sweeping something under the carpet because it is easier than tackling head on. Whether it be clouding (external forces) or our own distractions (internal forces), this ‘missing the point’ can result in decision-makers making ill-informed choices. We need to address the very real blindspots in our decision-making processes. From that point, we see in a clearer fashion, the reality of circumstances, and can make informed, intelligent decisions to move forward to the next level. At the launch of “Reinvention: Acceletating Results in the Age of Disruption” by Shane Cragun and Kate Sweetman, Kate spent time highlighting the Six Deadly Blindfolds that impact upon entrepreneurs, managers and decision-makers. These resonated strongly with the entire audience, as we all recognized that at some stage along our managerial career path, we have been gu...

Why Now is the Time to Create a Coaching Culture

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Let’s face it: the world of work has been flipped upside down. The pandemic didn’t just throw a spanner in the works - it dumped the whole toolbox into the ocean. Old-school “command and control” leadership? Sinks like a rock. Top-down management? Wiped out. What’s keeping organisations afloat right now isn’t clinging to old ways - it’s learning how to surf the waves of change. And here’s the thing: without a coaching culture, you’re just paddling furiously, hoping not to wipe out. At Orchan, we’ve seen firsthand, in our own team and with clients, that empowerment doesn’t just happen. It takes guidance, experimentation, and yes, a few wipeouts along the way. But when coaching is part of the culture, people don’t just survive the tides - they ride them. The Surfboard of Success Think of resilience, adaptability, and sustainability as the wax, the balance, and the fins. Each is crucial, but without the surfboard - coaching - you’re not going anywhere. Resilience : the wax that keeps yo...

One Post. One Employee. One Brand on Fire.

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It doesn’t take much. One employee. One “innocent” post. One opinion too far. Next thing you know - it’s blowing up online. Offense taken. Screenshots shared. Keyboard warriors in full attack mode. Even if your employee deletes it, too late - the internet never forgets. And now the mob has tracked them back to you , their employer. Suddenly, your brand is in the firing line. PMs roll in. Hashtags trend. A campaign starts to pressure you into action. What started as their personal post has become your PR nightmare. So, what do you do? That’s exactly what we unpacked in Orchan’s recent Safe Social workshop . We dug into: How to create ethical, practical social media guidelines that actually work. How to empower employees to pause before they post. How to shield your brand when online crises come knocking. Because this isn’t about stifling voices. It’s about protecting reputations. And in today’s climate, that’s survival. At Orchan, we don’t do dusty, forgotten policy PD...

Safe Social: Why Your Brand Needs a Social Media Policy Yesterday

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  Social media can be a brand’s best friend - or its biggest headache. Even if your company doesn’t officially “do” social, chances are your employees do. And whether they mean to or not, what they post can create a public perception of your brand. Sometimes flattering, sometimes… not so much. Here’s the tricky bit: companies can’t just slap down draconian rules and call it a day. A smart social media policy balances protection of the brand with respect for employees’ rights. It’s not about muzzling people - it’s about setting clear expectations, creating awareness, and avoiding those dreaded “viral gaffes” that have taken down more than one careless brand. When drafting (or refreshing) your policy, make sure it actually works in practice. That means it should: Give employees a safe space to raise concerns before they go public. Spell out what counts as confidential (so no one accidentally leaks the next product launch). Be upfront about consequences — clarity beats sur...