Communications Business Advisor

In this third episode of the strategy series, Tara McDonagh tackles one of the most frustrating realities for communications leaders: you built the communications strategic plan … and it still isn't working. The issue isn't always the communications strategy itself. More often, it's what happens after it's built. This episode breaks down why strategies fail to take hold and what it actually takes to make them operational, adopted, and effective. In this episode, Tara explores: The difference between building a strategy and making it real Four common ways strong strategies fail Why lack of alignment, ownership, and cadence derail execution The concept of strategy as change, not a deliverable What operationalizing a strategy actually requires How to keep a strategy alive inside a fast-moving organization What shifts when strategy truly works A communications strategic plan doesn't fail because it's wrong. It fails when it never becomes how the organization actually operates. When the communications strategy becomes real, everything changes: resources grow, influence expands, and communications is pulled in earlier where decisions are shaped. Keep advising. Always keep advising. Visit taramcdonagh.com to learn more about working with Tara or sign up for her newsletter on advancing as a Communications Business Advisor, Level Up: Be Extra, and her Raise the Tide™ emails for women in the field. This episode is sponsored by Raise the Tide™, a professional development ecosystem for women in communications — helping them grow, connect, and lead with confidence through mentorship, coaching, professional development, and community. If you found this episode valuable, please rate and review — it helps more communicators find the show and strengthens our collective voice. Until next time, keep advising. Always keep advising.

Welcome to the Communications Business Advisor™ podcast with host Tara McDonagh. In this episode, Tara sits down with Bianca Olson, Chief Communications Officer at HMH (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)—a learning company focused on the K–12 market—where she reports directly to the CEO. Bianca traces her path from agency PR during the dot-com era to leading a modern communications function inside a complex, mission-driven organization. She shares how she broadened from external PR to a full corporate scope (internal, external, CSR, and more), why relationship-building is the cornerstone of strategic influence, and how communicators can be seen and used as critical business advisors rather than "order takers." The conversation digs into measurement (including the "invisible" wins), team design in different business models, and the future of the field amid polarization, AI, and shifting media. In this podcast episode, Tara and Bianca cover: Career path: agency to in-house, and growing from specialist to enterprise-level leader Core skills of the craft: crisp writing, strategic storytelling, and making complex topics simple From tactics to strategy: building trust so partners seek counsel (not just press releases) Relationship-building that lasts: be likable without being an order taker; partner, don't placate Learn the business: curiosity, cross-functional fluency, and asking the "obvious" questions Team building: hire experts, empower them, and lead without "knowing it all" Structure realities: why the "right" comms org depends on industry, regulation, team expertise and goals Measurement that matters: quality over volume, trendlines over time, and narrating risk avoided Budget/resource advocacy: use metrics and executive-friendly rationale to win support Future of comms: polarization, evolving earned/owned media, AI's impact, and the "chief sense-maker" role Encouragement for rising leaders: stick with it—this work is impactful, rewarding, and growing in strategic importance Visit taramcdonagh.com to learn more about working with Tara or sign up for her newsletter, Level Up: Be Extra. This episode is sponsored by Raise the Tide™, a program designed for women in communications in corporate, healthcare, and higher education—helping them advance their careers through mentorship, professional development, and community. If you found this episode valuable, please rate and review—it helps elevate our field and ensures more communicators have a voice at the table. Meet Bianca Olson: Chief Communications Officer HMH Bianca Olson is a seasoned communications and corporate affairs executive with deep experience driving strategic transformation and shaping identity. She brings a proven ability to lead through change, build trust across stakeholders, and craft compelling narratives that align purpose with performance. As Senior Vice President and Chief Communication Officer at HMH, Bianca has been instrumental in guiding the company's evolution—from a traditional publisher to a modern technology-driven organization—while leading communications and corporate affairs at the intersection of innovation, impact and growth. Her leadership has helped define HMH's voice through major milestones including an IPO, multiple acquisitions, leadership transitions, and a private equity buyout, with a strong focus on change management and stakeholder alignment. Over more than a decade at HMH, she has led external and internal communications and corporate social responsibility, helping the organization navigate complexity with clarity and confidence. Bianca began her career on the agency side, where she advised Fortune 500 companies and mission-driven organizations on reputation management, media strategy, and stakeholder engagement. That experience honed her ability to manage high-stakes communications and laid the foundation for her thoughtful, high-impact leadership in-house. She is known for her principled approach to sensitive issues, helping HMH communicate with authenticity in a polarized environment. Bianca has also championed thought leadership platforms that elevate executive voices and position the company as a forward-thinking force. A trusted advisor to C-suite leaders and a collaborative partner across functions, Bianca brings a unique blend of strategic insight, operational rigor, and creative storytelling. She is passionate about aligning purpose with performance and believes in the power of communications to drive culture and earn trust. Bianca is a graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and lives in Marblehead, Massachusetts with her husband and son.

Welcome to the Communications Business Advisor™ podcast with host Tara McDonagh. In this episode, Tara sits down with Stephanie Roberts, Chief Communications Officer at Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems, a global company within the Hitachi Ltd. family. Joining from Japan, Stephanie shares how she leads a 25+ person global function spanning Japan, the U.S., Europe, China, and Southeast Asia—and why Communications now reports directly to the CEO. Stephanie walks through how she evolved Communications from a department nested under "sustainability" into a centralized, C-suite–level function that integrates corporate communications, branding, events & exhibitions, and digital. She also gets candid about advocating for resources, educating executives in different cultural contexts, and measuring the value of good counsel—especially the crises that never happen because Comms shaped smarter decisions upstream. For anyone aiming to lead at the highest levels of Communications, this conversation is packed with practical guidance on structure, influence, and impact. In this episode, Tara and Stephanie cover: Why Communications moved to report to the CEO—and what changed Team design at a global scale: four sub-teams (Corporate Comms, Brand, Events/Exhibitions, Digital) and why internal + external were combined Centralizing the function to align messaging and increase effectiveness across regions Benchmarks vs. business need: how to size and shape a team without "comparison traps" Educating executives (and peers) so Comms is required in the room, not invited late Measuring the "art" of counsel: using outcomes, behavior change, and credible anecdotes Budget & headcount advocacy: tying roles to business risk, reputation, and AI-era search visibility Skills for senior leaders: relationship-building, tenacity, and being a truth-teller Global realities: leading in Japan, KPI-heavy cultures, and the rise of internal comms The field's opportunities and pressures: crisis readiness, employee engagement, AI ethics Career advice: raise your hand for hard assignments—the moves that accelerate growth Visit taramcdonagh.com to learn more about working with Tara or sign up for her newsletter, Level Up: Be Extra. This episode is sponsored by Raise the Tide™, a program designed for women in communications in corporate, healthcare, and higher education—helping them advance their careers through mentorship, professional development, and community. If you found this episode valuable, please rate and review—it helps elevate our field and ensures more communicators have a voice at the table. Meet Stephanie Roberts: As Chief Communications Officer at Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems (HIES), Stephanie Roberts is responsible for the company's internal and external communications and branding strategy. She serves on the senior executive committee, leading a global team across internal and external communications, media relations, branding, crisis communications, social media, the company website, events and more. More than three years ago, Stephanie moved to Tokyo as the first expat sent to HIES' HQ. She also works with teams across the Americas, China, Southeast Asia and EMEA and, driven by her passion for storytelling and exploring different cultures, has traveled to more than 30 countries. Follow Stephanie Roberts on LinkedIn to continue the conversation and learn from her global perspective on Communications leadership.

Welcome to the Communications Business Advisor™ podcast with host Tara McDonagh. In this episode, Tara kicks off a new season by tackling one of the most pressing questions for senior communications professionals: what does a clear career path look like in a field that often feels misunderstood, oversimplified, and muddy? The Reality of Q4 for Comms Teams Tara opens with a candid look at the fall and winter season—when benefit enrollments, IT security pushes, engagement surveys, and town halls collide with corporate restructuring, financial reporting, and external events. It's a whirlwind that leaves communications leaders carrying the weight of competing priorities while fighting to remind colleagues of the real purpose of the function: advancing business goals and protecting company reputation. It can feel impossible to think of something as long-term as career path advocacy when it's so busy all the time. Why Career Pathing Feels Elusive Communications pros - especially around that director level - often find themselves forging their own paths. Tara highlights the isolation many feel when they're the highest-level communicator in their organization, expected to act as both strategic advisor and often, execution arm too. She acknowledges the frustration of being underestimated, but reminds listeners that communicators consistently shine when given even a crack in the door to demonstrate their value. The Path to the CCO (and Beyond) This season, Tara is launching a series of conversations with Chief Communications Officers and SVPs in our field across industries. They'll share the skills, experiences, and hard truths that shaped their journeys. Listeners will hear what it's like in the CCo seat, the skills required to get there, and help communicators chart a more visible career path in communications leadership … as we normalize the CCO position everywhere. Visit taramcdonagh.com to learn more about working with Tara or sign up for her newsletter, Level Up: Be Extra. This episode is sponsored by Raise the Tide™, a program designed for women in communications in corporate, healthcare, and higher education—helping them advance their careers through mentorship, professional development, and community. Tara is hosting a Raise the Tide Open House on Sept 19. Click here to pre-register. If you found this episode valuable, please rate and review—it helps elevate our field and ensures more communicators have a voice at the table.

Welcome to Episode 28 of the Communications Business Advisor™ podcast with Tara McDonagh. Today, Tara tackles a big question for communications leaders: how do you create a long-term plan in uncertain, volatile times like right now? She shares practical strategies to help Communications Leaders make it happen, even during chaos. Start from the (Ever-Changing) Business Strategy Tara explains how to align communications plans with business plans even as they evolve to adjust to the current environment. She shares how to identify key business goals and develop or adapt long-term communications plans, using examples like shifting from international to domestic growth or a new focus on acquisitions vs organic growth. Start with what's certain—your organization's core product and/or service remains. The "what" remains consistent, it's "how" that may change. Tara discusses how to pivot in these wild times with specific examples. From Overwhelm to Action Leading through uncertainty, balancing short-term demands (and commands), crisis issues and/or incident management, team management, and uphill advocacy are all massively taxing right now. Tara encourages leaders to seek help, whether through strategic planning partners, execution-focused support, or both. Instead of only considering the option of hiring extra hands, she highlights the value of working with experienced advisors who bring clarity and help implement impactful strategies as an option. Tara reframes seeking help as a smart investment in success. She urges Comms. leaders to rethink resourcing in alignment with today's new commands. This episode is sponsored by Raise the Tide™, a program for women in communications focused on mentorship and leadership growth. For more insights, visit taramcdonagh.com/levelup to sign up for the Level Up: Be Extra newsletter. Don't forget to share this episode and leave a review—it helps spread the message and elevate the communications field. Until next time, keep advising, my friends!

Welcome to the Communications Business Advisor™ podcast with Tara McDonagh. This week, Tara dives into a timely and scary issue—corporate communications is at risk of losing ground after years of progress. From earning a seat at the table to influencing decisions, these gains of being heard and respected are now under threat in today's economic and corporate environment. What can we do to maintain (and grow) in our gains, defend out space and NOT slip backwards? Listen in. Risks Facing Communications Professionals Today Internal Communications at Risk: Respect for roles in internal, executive, and functional communications are at risk as leaders revert to pre-pandemic practices of making decisions then telling communicators to figure out how to message it rather than engaging us in the decisions and TRULY listening to our counsel. Return-to-Office Challenges: Tara explores how return-to-office mandates is a bellwether example of Comms professionals being sidelined as respected advisors and instead being treated as order-takers. Communicators then must handle the fallout amid unrealistic expectations of maintaining positive employee engagement scores while also delivering news that will most certainly negatively impact those scores. Economic Pressures: Threats (and realities) of tariffs, tight budgets, and scarcity all round in corporations makes it infinitely harder to advocate for resources or staff. Tara discusses how THIS is the new biggest challenge for Communicators throughout organizations everywhere - not what or how to communicate tough challenges, but to do it without being yes men or women and maintaining our influence and boundaries as respected advisors. Strategic Advice for Communications Leaders Advocate, even when it's scary: Tara emphasizes advocating for yourself, your team, and the wider field, or risk losing self-respect and all the gained ground you've achieved for yourself, your team, and your field. Set the tone for your role: Teach senior leaders how to treat you AND what to expect from you - that you will call out risks even when it's unpopular and scary. It will bring you respect and showcase your leadership. Focus on Outcomes: Push for metrics tied to organizational goals. For example, if return-to-office policies aim to boost collaboration, ensure results are measured in relation to collaboration - not simply whether bodies show up in the office or retention numbers. Consider Corporate Comms. Consolidation: Crisis comms and incident preparedness is having a moment - out of necessity. If you don't already have a consolidated corp. comms. function with Internal Communications, Public Relations, Crisis Communications, Public Affairs, Event Planning, Executive Communications and business functional communications in the same area - now may be the ideal time to make the case to consolidate. It's not only good for the organization, but also good for the department because they can go in on it together. Together they can ensure that all who need to be engaged in decisions are weighing in. That there is a voice at the table in important discussions because the sum of the parts (or individual comms. functions) are looking at the whole … more on this soon. If you've enjoyed the Communications Business Advisor Podcast™ so far, please take a moment to share this episode with someone, drop a rating, or leave a review. We can ignite a movement when we share the message. Visit taramcdonagh.com to learn more about how to work with Tara. Or follow her content on LinkedIn at: Tara McDonagh, where she posts five days a week on comms.-focused topics. The Communications Business Advisor Podcast™ is brought to you by Raise the Tide™, the unique coaching, community and professional development program that elevates corporate women communications leaders and emerging leaders in the communications field.

Welcome to the Communications Business Advisor™ podcast with Tara McDonagh. This week, we kick off a two-part series on navigating communications leadership through the lens of motherhood, bias, and systemic challenges. Tara shares her personal experiences navigating being in this field both as a mom - and as a child free woman for quite a long period of her career. And she ties it all to why we deal with it and what to do about it. In this episode of the Communication Business Advisor Podcast, Tara McDonagh explains: The Motherhood Penalty & Gender Bias – Women face pay gaps, earning less than men for the same roles. The numbers reduce even worse when you become a mother - the motherhood penalty. Tara shares her own experience navigating workplace bias when she was a child-free woman, challenges in the workplace on the path to motherhood including fertility treatments, and the reality that she was unsupported in a system that made her choose between being a present parent or taking a role truly worthy of her expertise and leadership - but one would need to be sacrificed. Bridging the Mom vs. Non-Mom Divide – Workplace structures often pit mothers and non-mothers against each other. Tara highlights shared struggles and calls for collective action to create supportive, equitable environments. Fixing the System, Not Ourselves – Citing Nobel Prize-winning research, Tara advocates for systemic reforms like flexible policies and remote work, emphasizing that workplaces—not women—must adapt. Tune in next week for Part 2, featuring candid insights from women in communications. This episode is sponsored by Raise the Tide™, a program for women in corporate, healthcare, and higher education communications. Visit taramcdonagh.com to learn more about how to work with Tara. Or follow her content on LinkedIn at: Tara McDonagh where she posts five days a week on comms.-focused topics. Share your thoughts by rating and reviewing! For more insights, subscribe to Level Up: Be Extra and elevate your Communications leadership game.