The 2007 Pinnacle Award was presented to IABC member Margery Zylich at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel on May 9. More than 75 attendees were treated to secrets of how Zylich has helped to improve organizational communications, talent retention and business performance at MedStar Health.
During a captivating acceptance speech, Zylich addressed how communicators can engage employees to drive business performance. During her remarks, she revealed that she attended her first IABC meeting at the tender age of nine, because her parents were very involved in a local chapter. “Communication must be in my blood,” she acknowledged.
According to Zylich, linking employee and customer satisfaction to business results creates a competitive advantage. She explained that there are three communication practices associated with the largest increase in organizational value at her current employer, MedStar Health:
• Driving managers' behavior to communicate effectively
• Connecting employees to the company's business strategy
• Following a formal communication process
Zylich also shared the three stages of engagement through communication and ways to build credibility and trust.
The Pinnacle Award is presented annually to the top communicator in the Greater Washington and Baltimore region as determined by a panel of distinguished judges. Shelley Griewahn, ABC, chaired this year's process. Serving as judges this year were Katie Paine (KD Paine & Partners), Ned Lundquist, ABC (Alion), Kate Perrin (PRofessional Solutions LLC), Charlie Welsh (Constellation Energy Group), and Karen James Cody (Bureau of National Affairs).
Shelley Griewahn, ABC
Vice President, Special Programs
IABC/Washington
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