MISSED THE CONFERENCE - ATTEND THE REPLAY. This is not the year to slight your employees.  Learn how to keep them engaged and loyal from some of the best experts and practitioners. Download Program Register About Day 1 At A Glance Day 2 Speakers Who Should Attend Pricing Venue Community About this conference This is the year to be dead serious about business efficiency, productivity and value. That's why Communitelligence is combining its two most innovative and engaging conferences into one jam-packed learning event.  Join us in Chicago when INNOVATING EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT meets EXECUTING SOCIAL MEDIA. Register today for two stimulating days of learning and sharing on the most essential aspects of employee engagement, HR and social media for internal communications.  This conference brings together practical solutions, valuable insights and peer brainstorming to drive engagement, loyalty and productivity. Don't miss the premier employee engagement social media conference for internal communicators, public relations and HR professionals. Employee Engagement: A heightened emotional connection that an employee feels for his or her organization, that influences him or her to exert greater discretionary effort to his or her work. Definition from The Conference Board Learning topics We've designed INNOVATING EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT to dive squarely into the huge hurdles internal communications and HR managers are facing this year. They include employee morale in a down economy, engaging diverse and far-flung employees across generations, how to blend old and new communication channels, leveraging front-line supervisors, and much more. There will be "economy-driven" topics, but also plenty of sessions that will give you the edge on what's next, and what you need to be doing this year to deliver more value and ROI from your internal communications program.. Here are some of the critical questions we'll be addressing in this conference: The link between engagement and earnings What a culture of engagement looks like Measuring engagement vital signs Where employee engagement happens Best practices for listening and communicating Creating an award-winning workplace environment Face-to-face vs. virtual channels Keeping employees committed during periods of change What to do after the employee survey Keys to an effective employee engagement program Leveraging front-line managers to drive engagement Communicating across generations Best practices when the news is bad How to hold better town hall meetings Social media employee policies Intranets that foster engagement Engagement through peer-to-peer communication If you are struggling with any of the issues above, and need to come up with a game plan for your intranet, don't feel alone -- join us! Innovating Employee Engagement 2009 brings together internal communications and HR thought leaders to learn, be challenged, share and brainstorm about the future of their professions. Register today as conference is limited to 125 attendees. Agenda Day 1 - June 16, 2009 - INNOVATING EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT 7:30-8:30 REGISTRATION SIGN-IN & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST 8:30-8:45 WELCOME & STAGE SETTING 8:45-9:45 STARTING WITH WHAT WE KNOW: HOW TO KEEP EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT HIGH DURING AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN 9:45-10:00 BREAK 10:00-11:00 HOW TO ENGAGE EMPLOYEES WITH COMMUNICATION USING OLD AND NEW TOOLS 11:00-11:50 WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH: LOW-COST SURE-FIRED WAYS TO IMPROVE EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT DURING A DOWNTURN 11:50-12:00 WHAT DO YOU THINK? - INFORMAL DISCUSSION 12:00-1:30 CELEBRATING BRILLIANCE: THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST IDEAS FROM THE 2009 E2E EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATION AWARDS PROGRAM 1:30-2:30 GETTING BUY-IN FOR YOUR EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM 2:30-2:45 BREAK 2:45-3:45 RESEARCH ROUNDTABLES   1: Best Practices for Motivating Employees In A Recession 2: Drafting and Implementing Employee Social Media Policies 3: Dealing with Gen X & Y: Generational Employee Tips & Tricks 4: Encouraging (Allowing) Employees to Build Your Brand 3:45-4:00 ROUNDTABLE CONCLUSIONS & DAY 1 WRAP-UP 6:00 EVENING DINE-AROUNDS Speakers and Expanded Agenda - INNOVATING EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT 7:30-8:30 REGISTRATION SIGN-IN & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST 8:30 WELCOME & STAGE SETTING Greetings: John Gerstner, President, Communitelligence, Inc., Joe Spratt, Director of Internal Communications, Seyfarth Shaw, LLP Conference Moderator: Julie Baron, Principal, COMMUNICATION WORKS Networking Wakeup Kris Taylor, President, K. Taylor & Associates 8:45-9:45 OPENING KEYNOTE: STARTING WITH WHAT WE KNOW: ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT RESEARCH, TRENDS AND LOOMING ISSUES The down economy has put even more pressure on organizations to get the best work from their employees at a time when morale is under attack. Yet there are so many areas to address. This session will surface a framework for internal communications that will help you decide where you should be focusing your attention this year. Here's what communications and HR professionals need to know to understand the dynamics of the current workplace, and how they should be responding. Tom Lee, Founder and President, Arceil Leadership Ltd 9:45-10:00 BREAK 10:00-11:00 CASE STUDIES HOW TO ENGAGE EMPLOYEES WITH COMMUNICATION USING OLD AND NEW TOOLS Just because there are lots of new communication tools at the disposal of communicators, it doesn't mean the old ways of engagement are all obsolete. This session is intended to offer a background for the basic precepts behind effective engagement, and a review of what new tools and techniques are being used to good advantage. Moderator: Julie Baron, Principal, COMMUNICATION WORKS   Jillane Kleinschmidt, Director, Employee Engagement, Navistar, Inc. Let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water       Patty Perkins, VP – Video on Demand Manager, Wachovia Video Network Old Dogs, New Tricks, Same Toys   11:00-11:50 PANEL: WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH: LOW-COST SURE-FIRED WAYS TO IMPROVE EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT DURING A DOWNTURN There are a number of things you can do to build trust and improve morale that don’t have to break the bank. Here are some innovative ways to boost morale and engagement on a budget. Tom Keefe, Communication Manager, Volkswagen Credit Preventing Performance “Skids” with ESP (Employee Stability Program)     Jeff Zwier, Senior Manager and Communications Leader, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Managing cost-effective communications to maximize engagement       Joe Spratt, Director of Internal Communications, Seyfarth Shaw, LLP New Ways to Focus on the Fundamentals 11:50-12:00 WHAT DO YOU THINK? - INFORMAL MORNING WRAP-UP 12:00-1:30 LUNCHEON KEYNOTE: CELEBRATING BRILLIANCE: THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST IDEAS FROM THE 2009 E2E EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATION AWARDS PROGRAM Introduction: David Murray, Program Chairman, E2E Communication Awards Steve Crescenzo, Crescenzo Communications Communitelligence and McMurry joined forces to produce the 2009 E2E Communication Awards, the only awards program that focuses exculsively on internal communications. Be inspired, enlightened and entertained as Steve Crescenzo singles out some of the coolest internal communications programs that are being recognized in this year's E2E Awards. And of course, you need to enter to win. See right column for audio clip of Steve talking about the state of employee communications and his keynote. Watch video excerpt of Steve's address on YouTube, produced by David Murray 1:30-2:30 GETTING BUY-IN FOR YOUR EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM Difficult times require that your internal communications and employee engagement programs are grounded in sound, measureable results. You also need to know some tried and true ways to make sure you're worth is valued by your bosses. This session offers best practices from corporate communication and HR leaders who are keeping employee engagement at the heart of their organization's business success. Fred Ramos, Principal, Ramos & Associates (recently SVP of Communications and Govt. Relations at Advocate Health Care) Leveraging Major Change and Strategic Communication to Drive Employee Alignment, Engagement and Business Results     Mickey Mantas, Director of Community for Sears Holding Company. 2:30-2:45 BREAK   2:45-3:45 RESEARCH ROUNDTABLES This is the "unconference" part of the program. Built on the Communitelligence slogan, "All of Us Are Smarter Than One of Us," in this session, experts will lead discussions intended to surface real-world issues and solutions that can help attendees solidify learnings from the day's presentations, and formulate strategies for their organizations and departments.   1: Takeaways: Best Practices for Motivating Employees In A Recession Q: What are the best ways to communicate to maintain morale and build community and culture in any sized organization during down times? Led by: Tom Lee, Founder and President, Arceil Leadership Ltd 2: Delivering Bad News (Like You're Out of a Job) Without Injury Q: We've all heard the horror stories of firings by email or text messages. How do you deliver bad news with sensitivity and respect?   3: Dealing with Gen X & Y: Do's and Don'ts Q: How do you get Gen X happily working with Gen Y? What works and what doesn't? Led by Peg Wander, Manager/External Affairs, RR Donnelley 4: Encouraging and Empowering Employees to Build Your Brand Q: How do encourage employees to engage in online conversations organizations without getting them and the organization in trouble?   3:45-4:00 ROUNDTABLE CONCLUSIONS & CONFERENCE WRAP-UP Conference Moderator: Julie Baron, Principal, COMMUNICATION WORKS 6:00 NETWORKING RECEPTION AND EVENING DINEAROUNDS Palmer House Bar, 17 East Monroe Street, Chicago Who Should Attend This practical, information-packed learning opportunity is designed for internal communications and HR managers ready to learn, share and brainstorm a new mindset about employee engagement and the profession. The agenda is intended to bring together the two disciplines and leverage their combined power to produce new and innovative strategies for enhancing employee engagement. The program also is balanced to represent diversity in size (large, mid-sized and small) and type of organizations (for profit, non-profit, governmental, etc.). Some of the titles and companies represented at past Innovating Employee Engagement events include: HR Manager Communication Specialist Vice President, Human Resources, Vice President, University Admissions, OD Manager Human Resources Director Senior Vice President Communications Consultant Vice President Strategy & Operations Manager Consultant Dir., Corporate Communications Sr. VP PR Coordinator Communications Director Manager, New Media Specialist, New Media Web Development Specialist Director of Operations Navistar Cisco Magellan Health Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan Chanellock Inc SSM Health Care APCO Worldwide Spring International Strayer Education Kraft/Nabisco Wm Wrigley Jr Company Martiz Research   Pricing  Unbeatable, economy-sensitive pricing for the two full days: Last year: $1,300 ... this year just $1,000      Includes: Two full conference days including 4 keynotes, 11 case studies, 8 roundtables and 20-plus expert speakers, plus continental breakfasts, lunches and refreshment breaks, networking and dinearounds! Additional Special Discounts: Group discount for 3 or more $900 each for both days (use promo code chi09200). Non-profit, Govt., Academic, Small Business: $800 for both days (use promo code chi09300).  Non-profit group discount for 3 or more $700 each (use promo code chi09100).  For more information, contact customerservice@communitelligence.com or call 904-588-2366. If you or unemployed or lost your job recently and would like to attend, contact us or call 904-588-2366. More about our 2009 economy-sensitive pricing. Register Venue Seyfarth Shaw LL 131 South Dearborn Street, Suite 2400 Chicago , IL 60603-5577  (see map, right column) Parking: There is parking in the Seyfarth Shaw building.  The entrance to the alley can be accessed by turning right off of Dearborn (a northbound street) between Adams on the south and Monroe on the North.  If that garage is full, there is parking a few blocks away at the Adams-Wabash self-park, 17 W. Adams, 312-554-0112. FROM O’Hare International Airport Take Blue Train:  $1.50, exit at Head south from Bessie Coleman Dr. Bear right onto I-190 E to Chicago. Take the I-290 W exit 51H-I to West Suburbs/Chicago Loop. Take the Congress Pkwy exit 51I to Chicago Loop. Merge into I-290 E. Continue on W Congress Pkwy. Turn left at S. Dearborn St. and arrive at 131. S Dearborn St. Driving from Chicago Midway Airport Head south from S Cicero Ave. Mark a U-turn at S. Cicero Ave. Turn right into the I-55 N entry ramp. Take the I-90 W/I-94 W exit 292A to Wisconsin. Take the I-290 W exit 51H to West Suburbs/Congress Pkwy/Chicago Loop. Merge into I-290E. Continue on W Congress Pkwy. Turn left at S. Dearborn St and arrive at 131 S Dearborn St. Hotels The Palmer House® Hilton 17 East Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois, United States 60603 Tel: 1-312-726-7500   Fax: 1-312-917-1707  Hotel Burnham, a Kimpton Hotel 1 West Washington, Chicago IL 60602 Reservations: 877.294.9712 Phone: 312.782.1111 Hampton Majestic Chicago Downtown Hotel 22 W. Monroe, Chicago, IL 60603 Phone: 312-332-5052 W Chicago - City Center, Starwood Hotel property 72 West Adams Street Chicago, IL 60603 Phone: 312-332-1200 About Communitelligence Communitelligence.com is a knowledge-sharing portal aimed at improving organizational and interpersonal communication. The site aggregates knowledge, topic experts, resources and learning events for communication, PR, marketing and HR executives. At the center of Communitelligence are expert-led communities on key corporate communication topics including employee engagement, public and media relations, communication skills, technology/social media and leadership. The Communitelligence Learning Academy offers conferences, workshops, How-to Teleseminars and CDs on key business communication issues and trends.   Register  Expanded session descriptions: Let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water - Jillane Kleinschmidt  Adding new tools doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to do away with the old tried and true techniques.  Kleinschmidt will address the challenges of using a variety of tools old and new to engage an increasingly diverse employee base – from those who use torque wrenches and air guns on the job to those who use spreadsheets and social media. Preventing Performance “Skids” with ESP (Employee Stability Program) - Tom Keefe About a decade ago, automotive manufacturers introduced driving stability systems, including the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), that helped to keep vehicles on the road. Learn how the financial services subsidiary of one automotive manufacturer is keeping employee engagement on-track in a brutal economic climate through an informal “Employee Stability Program.” Leveraging Major Change and Strategic Communication to Drive Employee Alignment, Engagement and Business Results - Fred Ramos A major, voluntary product withdrawal, followed by the arrival of a new CEO and turnaround strategy at Merck, provided a major opportunity for the company to come together as “One Merck” and drive employee alignment and engagement. Merck’s Plan to Win, the new business strategy, was designed to return the company to a leadership position in the pharmaceutical industry by putting greater focus on meeting patients’ unmet medical needs and returning the company to high performing organization and “Most Admired” status.  Similarly, healthcare market forces prompted Advocate Healthcare to redefine its vision and long-term strategic direction.  The focus: to create a better model of health delivery and continue the healthcare provider’s evolutionary journey to become a high performing organization.  To support these efforts, a strategic communication framework was developed and executed to focus employee understanding, alignment and engagement, particularly that of senior leadership, on patient satisfaction and health outcomes/needs, operational excellence, and business results. This session will provide an overview of this communication framework and its impact on, and the connection between, an engaged workforce, satisfied customers and improved business results. Old Dogs, New Tricks, Same Toys – Patty Perkins Best practices for developing Leaders as Communicators, communicating effectively in times of change and using all your communication channels to engage employees. New Ways to Focus on the Fundamentals - Joe Spratt Two examples or best practices from Seyfarth-Shaw LLP Applying Lean Six Sigma to new partner (executive level) on-boarding -- building efficiency and quality into a key engagement process, applying the principles and techniques of Lean Six Sigma in a professional services setting. Using "2-minute training" for developing young attorneys -- offering virtual training options to augment more limited instructor-led training and to help facilitate better working relationships betweeen junior and senior attorneys. Managing cost-effective communications to maximize engagement – Jeff Zwier At Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, helping keep staff focused and engaged is key in turbulent times ·         We are changing leader communication focus, frequency, channel and tone to help manage staff expectations and improve the relevance, salience of messaging. Focus on more synchronous (live) versus asynchronous communication, conversation over broadcast messaging wherever possible. This change of focus is actually decreasing our cost to communicate as it creates a clearer line of site to leaders’ short and long term objectives. Changing focus from economy as a ‘storm to be weathered’ to an opportunity for us all to apply innovative thinking to thrive together. Innovation programs, idea and brainstorming and collaboration programs are being launched at a number of Deloitte locations using low cost technology tools.