Poised to tackle a new position as CEO in January 2024, Jessamyn Katz, president of Heyman Associates, plans to raise the agency’s development and status within the business and proceed to handle the expertise calls for of the world’s main manufacturers, companies, foundations, and educational establishments.
Katz has devoted practically twenty years to the worldwide govt search agency, which completely focuses on senior expertise within the communications sector. Since 2019, Katz has been on the helm, driving the agency’s technique and day-to-day operations. Beneath her management, the agency has expanded its capabilities and shopper base, now encompassing senior roles in authorities relations, advertising, and investor relations.
As Katz prepares to step into her new position, we thought it might be the proper time to get her ideas on the way forward for the communications business.
What ebook, podcast or different media do you suggest to different comms execs?
At Heyman Associates, we work with shoppers of all industries which suggests I strive my finest to maintain a pulse on basic information and media, with some particular focus areas on our world of communications to get insights extra particular to our day-to-day work. From a generalist perspective, I’m an enormous each day listener of The Every day by The New York Occasions and LinkedIn has develop into a part of my morning ritual and information routine. And from a communications perspective, in the event you haven’t already subscribed to the Axios Communicators publication, it’s a must-add to your cycle. It’s in a transparent and digestible format and gives nice insights on key leaders, market traits, and distinctive views throughout the business. And I attempt to hold some enjoyable fiction and actuality TV in my routine as effectively for stability!
What’s your favourite software you utilize frequently for work?
In our subject of labor in govt search, we’re on the cellphone continuously with shoppers and candidates. I’ve all the time discovered that taking notes on paper and in writing permits me to be extra actively engaged within the dialog versus taking notes on a pc. A number of years in the past, I not too long ago began utilizing the reMarkable pill which provides me a customizable and paper-free pill to take personalised handwritten notes that may be simply uploaded to my laptop computer. It has been a lifesaver! And naturally, extra sustainable.
What excites you most about the way forward for communications?
For some, a way forward for the unknowns will be overwhelming, however I discover that’s what makes the way forward for communications so thrilling. With new expertise, media, and innovation launched each day, our business is consistently having to maintain up and that’s thrilling to look at. With new instruments and tech, it raises the stakes and expectations for communications leaders; the necessity for judgment and important pondering abilities will solely develop into extra essential.
What communications problem retains you up at night time?
In our subject of labor, we’re serving to among the world’s finest organizations discover leaders throughout communications, company affairs, advertising, and investor relations. These are high-stakes, high-pressure jobs and our workforce usually is teaching people via their decision-making course of. We take {our relationships} severely, so ensuring we’re thorough and considerate about our advisement and what’s proper for each the shopper and candidate via the method is essential.
What’s the most important problem you’ve overcome in your profession?
It’s no secret that the pandemic has triggered challenges for companies of all sizes over the previous few years, however it’s been one thing I’ve mirrored on much more not too long ago as I look towards the way forward for our firm, and the expansion and evolution of the business at massive. As a small agency, we dealt with the well being and financial stress with as a lot grace and dignity as doable, and I’m actually happy with how secure we have been all through the height. From a profession perspective, it additionally taught me loads about keep stability from each the enterprise and private perspective. There have been loads of challenges that pressured me out of my consolation zone from a management perspective that have been classes realized – and nonetheless being realized – constructing me right into a stronger chief at the moment and for the longer term.
What’s the finest recommendation you’ve ever gotten?
One among my longtime colleagues and advisor to our agency all the time informed me: “It’s by no means the flawed resolution to inform the reality.” That has all the time caught with me. Within the shopper service enterprise, particularly one that’s centered round individuals, goal, and relationships, there will be loads of tough conversations. It’s inevitable that there can be instances when a shopper can be disenchanted, however no matter how difficult a dialog is perhaps from each side, being upfront, trustworthy, and clear is all the time one of the best method. Not solely has this been essential in my private profession growth, however it’s also a part of the ethos of Heyman Associates and the care we put into our shopper relationships.
Isis Simpson-Mersha is a convention producer/ reporter for Ragan. Observe her on LinkedIn.
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