How to plan and implement communication programs that communicate about environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives.

Course description:

This one-day virtual course reinforces the importance of developing and implementing purposeful communication and teaches communication professionals a number of practical ways they can improve the way they communicate their organisation’s social impact and performance. Explore how to communicate with stakeholders more openly and build trusted internal and external relationships.

What to expect:

Align your communication efforts with ESG outcomes
Build measures and develop ROI for your ESG communication efforts
Increase your perceived value within the organisation
Understand what drives societal value for stakeholders in today's communication environment

Who should attend:

Communication professionals working in corporate social responsibility, government relations, issues management, strategic communication, corporate communication, internal communication, external communication, corporate affairs or public relations. Those leading teams, ESG projects, or having to influence others about ESG within the organisation.

Career Level: Foundation, Generalist/Specialist, Strategic Advisor

Course outline:

Upon completion of this course you’ll be able to:

Build alignment between ESG and communication outcomes
Develop a clear understanding of what drives ESG value for stakeholders
Know the elements of a strategically focused ESG communication plan
Mobilise employee ambassadors
Explore best practices, principles, processes and implementation elements designed to equip you with the knowledge and expertise to deliver business results

The changing stakeholder environment

From sustainability and CSR to ESG
The state of trust and the context of relationships
Use audience insight to inform your ESG strategy

Find your ESG story

The Communication Value Circle
Communicating a purposeful culture
Integrate ESG into your communication
Communicating ESG metrics

Build a top employer brand

Align your mission, vision, purpose and values
Listen and respond to what motivates your employees
Mobilise employee ambassadors

Embrace digital dialogue

Communicate your ESG messages on social media
Activate social listening
The highly social CEO (and other leaders)

About the trainer

Adrian Cropley OAM, FRSA, IABC Fellow, SCMP, GCSCE
Co-Founder, Centre for Strategic Communication Excellence

A certified strategic communication management professional and past global chair of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), Adrian Cropley is widely recognised as one of the world’s foremost experts and consultants in strategic communication. With a career spanning over 35 years, Adrian has worked with clients worldwide, including Fortune 500 companies, on major change communication initiatives, internal communication reviews and strategies, professional development programs, executive leadership, and coaching. At the IABC he implemented the IABC Career Road Map, kick-started a global ISO certification for the profession and developed the IABC Academy. Adrian pioneered the Melcrum Internal Communication Black Belt program in Asia Pacific and ran that program for over 10 years. He is a sought-after facilitator, speaker, author and thought leader. He has been a keynote speaker and workshop leader on strategic and change communication at international conferences in Canada, the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, Malaysia, Singapore, China, India, Hong Kong, Thailand, New Zealand and Australia. He has received several awards, including the International Gold Quill Awards for communication excellence and is a two-time recipient of the Rae Hamlin. Adrian is chair of the Industry Advisory Committee for the RMIT School of Media and Communication as well as a non-executive board member with several organisations. In 2017, he was awarded a Medal to the Order of Australia, one of the highest national honours, for his work in professional communication and youth development.

Sia Papageorgiou FRSA, FCSCE, SCMP

Co-Founder, Centre for Strategic Communication Excellence

Armed with an impressive collection of more than 50 awards for strategic communication excellence and leadership, Sia Papageorgiou is dedicated to elevating the value and visibility of communication professionals, empowering them to become trusted, strategic, and in-demand advisors. She is a certified strategic communication management professional (SCMP), a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, and past president of the Victorian chapter of the IABC. She’s also a former board director at IABC Asia-Pacific and past chair of the Global Communication Certification Council. In 2021, IABC Asia-Pacific named Sia Communicator of the Year and in 2022 she was awarded the prestigious IABC Rae Hamlin Award in recognition of her exemplary service in advocating the Global Standard of the Communication Profession and evangelising the power and possibility of communication. The GovComms Institute, a global platform for government communication professionals, named Sia, “one of the superstars of the communication profession.” With every initiative she leads, every team she trains, and every professional she coaches, Sia continues to set the gold standard for strategic communication excellence, inspiring others to reach their highest potential.