NBAU Blog

Welcome 2022. Here’s to trying harder!
Natalia Smalyuk Natalia Smalyuk

Welcome 2022. Here’s to trying harder!

January is still a little bit like a clean canvass. It’s a wonderful feeling, when there’s so much potential, and a chance to create something valuable in the world. Holiday wishes still echo in the ears: “take what you need into the new year; leave what you don’t behind.” During the break, it seemed like a good idea to take stock. And here’s the result: my personal take at what struck a chord (and should enter the new year) or pinched a nerve (and should stay behind).

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Winning the hearts and minds of middle managers
Natalia Smalyuk Natalia Smalyuk

Winning the hearts and minds of middle managers

In the second year of the pandemic, the old problem of an absent manager acquires a new urgency. Here are some idea starters on how organizations can rally their mid-level cadre to push through the fatigue of a long-haul crisis.

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Why crisis preparedness should have its own global awareness day
Natalia Smalyuk Natalia Smalyuk

Why crisis preparedness should have its own global awareness day

Our short memories are one of the biggest risks in crisis management. To safe-guard against it, the world should introduce a global Crisis Preparedness Day so we don’t forget the human cost of the mega crises like COVID-19 and remember the reasons why organizations and countries should commit to preparedness with the right resources, mindsets and best practices.

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COVID-19 pulse check: are virtual teams clicking together?
Natalia Smalyuk Natalia Smalyuk

COVID-19 pulse check: are virtual teams clicking together?

Thanks to COVID-19, many organizations are now virtual teams working from home, and internal communication is more critical than ever. It’s also more difficult. This blog looks at some common employee challenges and how to handle them.

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Building trust inside out: new frontier in comms
Natalia Smalyuk Natalia Smalyuk

Building trust inside out: new frontier in comms

When Amazon’s CEO Jeff Bezos said: “We seek to be Earth’s most customer-centric company” two decades ago, it was a bold claim. Today, we’d be hard-pressed to find an organization that doesn’t put its customers first. The argument of this blog: to be customer-centric, organizations must become employee-centric first.

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When boards should act, not react, in a crisis
Natalia Smalyuk Natalia Smalyuk

When boards should act, not react, in a crisis

There should be a close relationship between Management and Boards of Directors, and that is particularly true during a crisis. Many organizations do not include, or even mention, their Board in their crisis plans. However, some are learning – often the hard way – that guidance and oversight matter the most when stakes are high.

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Is earned media making a comeback?
Natalia Smalyuk Natalia Smalyuk

Is earned media making a comeback?

Traditional media is shrinking. But while there’s fewer media, there’s more news. In fact, we are in a state of content shock. Anyone with a smartphone can publish anything about anything, from oppressive governments to bad customer service to unfair employers. So, are we witnessing a decline or resurgence of earned media?

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Five Steps to Becoming a Great Spokesperson
Natalia Smalyuk Natalia Smalyuk

Five Steps to Becoming a Great Spokesperson

There you are, about to do a media interview. What if you have a mental block? What if the reporter blind-sides you? What if… Here’s some good news: great spokespeople are not made in heaven. They make themselves great through these three P’s of success – Practice. Practice. Practice.

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