COMMS 101 - Harnessing creativity
Focusing on talent, results and flexibility.
Why we’re unique
Comms 101 (www.comms101.work) is not your average communications agency. We harness creativity, encourage flexibility and focus on a results-driven, collaborative approach across all of our work.
The Comms 101 team embodies a unique focus, which harnesses and embraces senior PR talent who strive for flexibility to complete their work, without compromising on results.
Many members of the Comms 101 family are parents-to-be, or new parents, who are reluctant (or aren't able) to return to workplace full-time following the arrival, or expected arrival of their little one.
Following the birth of her son, Comms 101’s founder: Lisa Hollinshead was quickly met with the harsh, and very confronting reality that the prospect of returning to the workplace full time, was not only mentally daunting (mum guilt to the extreme) , but also financially restrictive due to rising childcare costs.
The idea for Comms 101 was born in 2016, with a mission to provide greater flexibility and a solution for PR practitioners who have a very high skillset, that love their job, who no longer have to choose between their career and being a ‘present parent.’
““I was lucky enough to have a client base that was ready to go, once I made the decision to launch Comms 101 in July 2017, when my son was just one. I had to source consultants to assist me with my workload and found that I was working with other parents, who were in a similar situation to me. I wanted to provide an environment where consultants were able to work around their baby’s schedule, whilst still having accountability for achieving KPIs and exceeding clients expectations.
“Rather than productivity stalling, quite the opposite happened. Like me, Comms 101 consultants’ quickly realised that the smarter they worked, and more productive they were, the more time they had with their little one - win/win!
“I know from personal experience, I tend to work really smart and get work done in a timely and efficient manner, without compromising and results, so that any time I save is spent with my son.
“I’m so passionate about embracing working parents as a community of consultants and providing them with the tools to work for themselves, in their own hours, whilst still keeping their finger on the pulse when it comes to a fast-paced industry, which is ever evolving.”
Lisa Hollinshead, MD
Projects are completed by our dedicated workforce, who always have clear objectives, KPIS and expectations.
Comms 101 is built on 100% transparency when it comes to the unique staffing model. As a direct result, all Comms 101’s clients are provided with counsel from the best senior PR and communications talent to work on their accounts.
Comms 101's senior consultants accept the brief (and budget) and KPIS and are left to execute in an autonomous & results driven approach. Whether it takes one day, or 10 days, our clients and Comms 101 team will be focused on achieving and exceeding results within a set timeframe. Consultants can utilise their own skills and training (and experience) to deliver successful campaign ROI and to exceed expectations.
Comms 101 director; Lisa remains remains the client services director across all campaigns by the agency and has full sign off on all work at each campaign stage.
A study by job search engine Indeed surveyed 2,000 working parents in Australia, aged 25 to 54. It found that among respondents with flexible working options available to them, 94 per cent feel it has a positive impact on their home life. On average, respondents who have been offered flexible working options see themselves staying in their current company for seven years.
Interestingly, for those without flexible working options, 43 per cent say they would choose a cut in their salary if it gave them the ability to work flexibly – indicating the growing importance of flexibility over salary.
Source: https://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace/the-working-parents-landscape-20191111-p539g6.html
A very real issue
Comms 101's MD chats to Your Money about the very real issue across Australia regarding affordable childcare for working parents,
An issue that is very close to Lisa’s heart, Comms 101 wants to drive change in the public relations and communications industry.