WEDNESDAY 1 MAY 2013 11:47 AM

THEFUTURESTORY, CRYSTAL BALL NOT REQUIRED

Storytelling is an art perfected, often through drama. Thus yesterday, at London’s iconic Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA), theblueballroom held its inaugural event for communications professionals, thefuturestory. The programme was designed to help companies prepare for what the future holds.

The event included 100 members of internal and external comms teams, digital experts, journalists and the social media enlightened. The conference was headlined by Wired’s associate editor, Olivia Solon, who gave the keynote address. Following that, the group broke up into three workshop sessions to discuss the future of corporate communications.

Solon discussed the issues of privacy, transparency and technological advancement in her presentation. She said transparency in communications will become even more of a priority in future, “If you’re going to become more transparent, companies have to get their house in order first, or appear to do so. That aligns with becoming a more responsible organisation. They shouldn’t have anything to hide.”

The workshops were led by social media expert Andrew Grill of Kred, writer and consultant Euan Semple and web scientist Jacqui Taylor. Each allowed delegates the opportunity to discuss their business’ challenges and strategies while gaining insight for the future.

In developing a strategy for becoming a social business, Grill says companies must be part of a conversation and have a reason to engage with an audience, whether it is their own employees, stakeholders or consumers. Taylor notes that the waves of change each generation brings will impact the way companies approach digital communications.

Thefuturestory will continue on 2 July with a workshop entitled ‘Wiring the workplace for women’.