The first Heartland NAMA chapter meeting of the new program year, September 21st, was a success with around 35 members and guests attending a half day workshop on “Developing Measurably Better Marketing and Communications.” The workshop was led by Angela Sinickas, president of Sinickas Communications and an expert on communication effectiveness measurement.

A non-analytical person, Sinickas confessed that she had to develop measurement tools to satisfy a previous boss who was very, very analytical. From that experience, she saw the value in measuring communications effectiveness and results. “It’s easier that you may intitially think,” she told the crowd of communications professionals in the auditorium of the GROWMARK and Illiniois Farm Bureau office building. She explained how to set measurable communications goals that lead to business results; pursue high-value performance measures; create tools for measuring communications messages, channels and outcomes; and calculate ROI on communications projects. Her favorite tool is the grid chart. “It’s amazing how quickly you can communicate results using a chart” she noted. “Even when it’s not full of numbers and data.”

The next Heartland NAMA Chapter meeting will be on November 20th. Held in conjunction with the Illinois Commodities Conference, this meeting will feature “Five Minute Meetings,” and offers an opportunity to connect with other business communicators and marketers in the Heartland NAMA region (Central Illinois). For more information contact Dennis Vercler.