Reviewing the Research Foundation year: steady as we grow

Communication World, April, 2002

As the close of the 2001-02 fiscal year approaches for the IABC Research Foundation hoard of trustees, we have a number of successes to reflect on and an ambitious future for which to prepare.

The work of the Foundation benefits the communication profession as a whole and business leaders worldwide. Thanks to a committed board and a hard-working IABC Research Foundation staff led by director Natasha Spring, the foundation has accomplished many objectives.

Adding to the Foundation's portfolio of works, a number of projects were completed and launched in 2001-02. Newly completed projects include the report on Merger Communication, accompanied with a diagnostic tool; the Research Primer; and the report on Communication Functions in Small Businesses. The Virtual Workforce project and the Communication as an Intangible Asset project are both in the final research phases. New launches this year included an environmental scan to help communication professionals understand and anticipate business trends and Profile, a survey of the profession and salaries.

Supporting these research initiatives takes the time, talent and funds of many dedicated people, including the IABC Foundation Board of Trustees, IABC leaders and staff.

This year, the Foundation developed a new strategic plan with a five-year component, which will provide direction for the research, marketing, education and communication opportunities ahead.

As part of the strategic plan, the Foundation staff and trustees streamlined internal operations of the organization to expedite research opportunities. This included bylaws revisions, budget reviews, and a review of the research identification process.

To increase the visibility of the Foundation and its research projects, the Foundation is creating materials that IABC chapters may use to create professional development programs for chapter meetings. Foundation trustee Jennifer Wah, ABC, introduced this new concept to IABC leaders at the annual IABC Leadership Institute held in Baltimore.

An important resource for identifying emerging communication issues and igniting the research identification process, this year's annual IABC Research Foundation Think Tank was led by Karen Vahouny, ABC, and held in conjunction with the IABC Leadership Institute in Baltimore. This group of respected communicators represented South Africa, Canada, Australia, the Philippines, the U.K. and the U.S. Its findings were enlightening and will help direct development of future research projects. The Foundation's Research Committee, led by Angela Mak of the University of Oregon, provided a wealth of insight in evaluating research proposals and shepherding these projects along the research path.

The challenge of development and fundraising for 2001-02 was met by Foundation trustee Carol Poore, ABC. She rallied volunteers to connect with donors--from individual communicators to corporations. Her creativity and tireless efforts are paying off for the Foundation. As we all know, our profession and the business environment change every day. Therefore, communication research like that of the IABC Research Foundation will continue to require the support of all members to improve understanding of this process and its contributions to organizational success.

In an effort to reconnect with the education community, the Foundation initiated an academic research paper competition. The results of the competition will be announced at the Foundation luncheon at the 2002 annual international conference in Chicago.

Although the future of business communication is always changing, one fact remains constant: Communication research like that provided by the IABC Research Foundation continues to provide insight and answers for today's concerns and tomorrow's challenges. I invite you to review the Foundation library of research products and current projects. You will agree that these tools are imperative for business communication success. And I hope that you will contribute to meeting your knowledge needs by supporting the future of the IABC Research Foundation.

Tamara L. Gillis, Ed.D., ABC IABC Research Foundation Chair, 2001-02