Civic Eruption
Cover story, published in CorpComms, 15/06/2010
http://www.corpcommsmagazine.co.uk/features/993-civic-eruption

Few would have thought that a volcano would give companies a unique opportunity to test their social media strategies. But when the volcanic eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland shut European airspace for several days, airlines and airports needed to quickly communicate updates to hundreds of thousands of stranded passengers across the world. For some, social media proved an important solution.

Time for a new job
Cover story, published in CorpComms, 12/01/2010
http://www.corpcommsmagazine.co.uk/features/550-time-for-a-new-job

It is almost 18 months since Ben Bernanke, chairman of America's Federal Reserve Board, starkly told key legislators that 'we may not have an economy on Monday' if they did not agree a $700 billion emergency bail out for the rapidly worsening financial crisis.

Short order working
Cover story, published in CorpComms, 01/10/2009
http://www.corpcommsmagazine.co.uk/features/472-short-order-working

This is a tale of two companies, desperate to implement cost savings yet retain essential talent, that both introduced new working practices for their staff. One, a professional services firm, received widespread acclamations for its initiative. The other, the self-styled world's favourite airline, was universally criticised.

Leading lights in dark times
Cover story, published in CorpComms, 10/5/2009
http://www.corpcommsmagazine.co.uk/features/379-leading-lights-in-dark-times

When vandals recently attacked the Edinburgh home of former Royal Bank of Scotland chief executive Sir Fred Goodwin, there may have been disapproval at the use of violence but likely little surprise among the general public...

Beyond the corporate blogging hype
Feature published in CorpComms, 15/06/2010
http://www.corpcommsmagazine.co.uk/features/990-beyond-the-corporate-blogging-hype
Examining the extent to which corporate blogs have proven to be an important communications channel.

Reporting the right message
Feature published in CorpComms, 11/03/2010
http://www.corpcommsmagazine.co.uk/features/657-reporting-the-right-message
Assessing the role of online reports at a time when companies are trying to spend money wisely.

The minefield of social media monitoring
Feature published in CorpComms, 01/12/2009
http://www.corpcommsmagazine.co.uk/features/513-the-minefield-of-social-media-monitoring
Examining the challenge of listening to online conversations without interrupting their flow.

A brave new world
Feature published in CorpComms, 01/12/2009
http://www.corpcommsmagazine.co.uk/features/510-a-brave-new-world
How charities are starting to shake up their communication strategies to gain recognition and funds.

Stop the presses?
Feature published in CorpComms, 19/01/2009
http://www.corpcommsmagazine.co.uk/features/292-stop-the-presses
Online annual reports are emerging as a popular alternative to their printed relations, offering companies new opportunities to communicate with stakeholders...

All in the wording
Feature published in CorpComms, 15/12/2008
http://www.corpcommsmagazine.co.uk/features/274-all-in-the-wording
Looking at the development of word of mouth marketing and its power to influence consumers

The hardest word
Feature published in CorpComms, 16/10/2008
http://www.corpcommsmagazine.co.uk/features/244-the-hardest-word
There have been demands for bank chiefs to say ‘sorry' for the unfolding financial crisis but apologising is a process fraught with hidden dangers.

Power from networking
Feature published in CorpComms, 01/09/2008
http://www.corpcommsmagazine.co.uk/features/228-power-from-networking
Assessing the growing role of social networking sites in building corporate reputations.

TV times
Special feature, published in CorpComms, 01/11/2007
http://www.corpcommsmagazine.co.uk/features/106-tv-times
Looking at the changing role of corporate television.

Surviving a scandal
Feature published in CorpComms, 01/09/2007
http://www.corpcommsmagazine.co.uk/features/121-surviving-a-scandal
The exposure of fixed phone-ins and ‘fake’ reality shows has dogged TV broadcasters recently. Can public trust be restored?

Received wisdom
Cover story, published in Managing Partner, 31/03/2008
http://www.mpmagazine.com/xq/asp/txtSearch.caroline+poynton/exactphrase.1/sid.FD9E90EF-1A02-42D2-8AED-E2863D097C87/articleid.251C4DFB-EF3C-459D-BF52-ED8EC60E52B6/qx/display.htm

Technology has enabled lawyers to connect with one another more easily than ever. That they can achieve this without ever having to meet in person may, for some, also be nothing short of a huge relief. But some law firms are waking up to the myriad dangers of this increasingly faceless age. Enter the legal apprentice. Taking the plunge...

Are you ready for e-billing?
Cover story, published in FD Legal, 8/10/2007
http://www.fd-legal.com/xq/asp/txtSearch.e-billing/exactphrase.1/sid.152CA6CD-3B30-4E58-9F3C-DD2E532B4594/articleid.EB11AB5E-3FEA-411F-B668-63480642B262/qx/display.htm

Logic dictates that paper invoicing was always likely to move to an electronic format at some point, but there is something about the rise of e-billing that is stirring resistance among UK law firms. Indeed, it seems that many, if not most, UK firms are neither willing nor ready to take the plunge into that pond that would further link the UK legal industry to e-billing practices of the US.

Profile: Arthur Ferry
Published in Managing Partner and FD Legal, 10/07/2008
http://www.mpmagazine.com/xq/asp/txtSearch.caroline+poynton/exactphrase.1/sid.FD9E90EF-1A02-42D2-8AED-E2863D097C87/articleid.B602D08D-7C18-4A79-99D6-907C8CE8D46B/qx/display.htm
Chief financial officer Arthur Ferry has further developed the business-planning process at the London office of global law firm Baker & McKenzie.

Q&A: With David McLaughlin, Simmons & Simmons
Published in Managing Partner, 10/07/2008
http://www.mpmagazine.com/xq/asp/txtSearch.caroline+poynton/exactphrase.1/sid.FD9E90EF-1A02-42D2-8AED-E2863D097C87/articleid.AE1EE19E-0188-4D3F-81C8-6889212E8698/qx/display.htm
When finance director David McLaughlin decided to join the legal profession, he wasn't going to do things by half. He joined first Linklaters, and then Simmons & Simmons, two of the largest UK law firms, at a time of rapid change.

The race for intelligence
Published in Managing Partner and FD Legal, 10/03/2008
http://www.mpmagazine.com/xq/asp/txtSearch.caroline+poynton/exactphrase.1/sid.FD9E90EF-1A02-42D2-8AED-E2863D097C87/articleid.15B7F474-2DBB-440E-8095-3622BCCF413D/qx/display.htm
In the US, many firms seem to have embraced the concpet of not just business intelligence but also, more recently, competitive intelligence too. but UK law firms seem once again to be lagging behind.

Budgeting for success
Published in Managing Partner and FD Legal, 10/03/2008
http://www.mpmagazine.com/xq/asp/txtSearch.caroline+poynton/exactphrase.1/sid.FD9E90EF-1A02-42D2-8AED-E2863D097C87/articleid.9FFDE2DC-BE84-4008-A1D3-496CCBEFF69C/qx/display.htm
The annual budget must surely be the time for collective groans and sighs from all those that have to partake in what can be a lengthy process. But signs suggest that budgeting and forecasting in the legal profession is not just improving, it may also be getting easier.

Document accuracy: Managing risk effectively
Law firms fully understand the need for absolute accuracy in the documentation they create on behalf of clients, but many simply do not have adequate processes in place to ensure that this documentation is consistently both up-to-date and error free. Available to download at: http://www.mpmagazine.com/mplnsupplement.asp

Legal information in a recession: A restructuring opportunity
With a reduced workforce and limited resources, we questioned how far lawyers would be able to cope with the increased research burden that might fall on their shoulders. We also considered how far firms would be able to continue delivering top-level client services with a reduced information infrastructure to support them. Available to download at: http://www.mpmagazine.com/mplnsupplement.asp

Transition and Succession Planning for Law Firms

Managing Partner’s new report on Transition and Succession Planning for Law Firms will help you devise a sound succession plan for your firm that ensures not only a more secure organisational set-up that locks-in your core knowledge and expertise, but the means to impress your clients with the kind of long-term thinking that protects business interests. Importantly this report will help you ensure and plan for a reliable stream of up-and-coming talent that is productive and engaged. For more details, click here

Delivering Business Critical Knowledge Management

‘Delivering Business Critical Knowledge Management’ takes a business-oriented view of KM as we move through and beyond the recession. As we see the first green shoots of economic recovery, we look at how the vast changes of the past year have put KM in the ideal place for supporting post-recession business growth.For more details, click here

Business Continuity for Law Firms

Rule 5.01 of the new Solicitor's Code of Conduct requires that all law firms in England and Wales have a business continuity plan in place.

‘Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery for Law Firms’ is a step-by-step guide to devising and implementing an effective business continuity plan for your firm. For more details, click here

Managing the Evolution of Libraries and Information Services

Library and information services have gone through a period of rapid transformation. In this new technologically-enabled landscape, and in the face of budgetary and staff cuts library and information services are expected to deliver greater value internally and externally and collaborate with other business support functions like never before. For more details, click here

Media relations and communications manager: May 2008-present
Management of all communications, website contents, publications and research pieces for legal strategy consultants KermaPartners.