Engagement https://cms.asandk.com/taxonomy/term/52 en Upcoming Advisory Board? 5 Insights You Need to Consider https://cms.asandk.com/node/407 <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Upcoming Advisory Board? 5 Insights You Need to Consider </span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="/user/50" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">Alana</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Wed, 27/07/2022 - 10:05</span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Links&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-extra-field-blocknodeas-k-bloglinks"> <div class="content"> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Main blog content&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogbody"> <div class="content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p paraeid="{078ca311-b732-4127-aeb0-a484811aecb2}{228}" paraid="991368106">An Advisory Board Meeting can be an invaluable tool. Having the right agency partner can be the difference between receiving a generic meeting transcript versus actionable insights that will drive brand strategy. </p> <ol role="list" start="1"><li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Calibri" data-leveltext="%1." data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-listid="1" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{4e6c189e-beb0-46f3-ae5f-fcb0b05bb712}{43}" paraid="1579665678"><strong>Experience optimizes outcomes </strong><br /> We’ve been running Ad Boards since 1996. What makes our approach so successful is that we work closely with you to understand your needs – we don't just send a writer along for the day. We can pair your meeting objectives with engaging, interactive agendas, identify key data to present and develop the right questions that will provoke thought and garner real insight. </p> </li> </ol><p paraeid="{4e6c189e-beb0-46f3-ae5f-fcb0b05bb712}{154}" paraid="1392396793">With a team of &gt;30 in-house writers, our expertise covers a diverse range of therapeutic areas, meaning we’re best placed to identify, capture, and deep dive into the insights that matter the most.  </p> <ol role="list" start="2"><li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Calibri" data-leveltext="%1." data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-listid="1" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{4e6c189e-beb0-46f3-ae5f-fcb0b05bb712}{200}" paraid="1710070024"><strong>Insights don’t end with the Ad Board </strong><br /> As a life-cycle agency, we understand that an Ad Board is a smaller cog in a much larger process. That’s why it’s important to partner with an agency that leverages insights to inform brand strategy and ensure learnings are integrated, built upon, and carried forward through execution.  </p> </li> </ol><p paraeid="{8eb48f34-43c2-4dbc-9aeb-f29a4242d90f}{56}" paraid="1827811418">If your current agency isn’t doing this, give us a call. </p> <ol role="list" start="3"><li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Calibri" data-leveltext="%1." data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-listid="1" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{8eb48f34-43c2-4dbc-9aeb-f29a4242d90f}{66}" paraid="213165766"><strong>KOL relationships need nurturing</strong><br /> “I attended an advisory board meeting, but the company never followed up.” You’d be surprised how often we hear this from Ad Board members. We pride ourselves on our relationships with KOLs – by providing clear communication, support, and follow-up, this allows you to develop and maintain important relationships and increase your brand appeal. </p> </li> </ol><p paraeid="{8eb48f34-43c2-4dbc-9aeb-f29a4242d90f}{161}" paraid="787972875">From general practitioners to specialists, traditionalists to innovators, the chances are we have either worked with or heard of the KOLs in your therapeutic area. If you don’t have any in mind yet, our KOL knowledge and relationships can help you identify who is best to approach. </p> <ol role="list" start="4"><li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-font="Calibri" data-leveltext="%1." data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-listid="1" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{8eb48f34-43c2-4dbc-9aeb-f29a4242d90f}{223}" paraid="670433343"><strong>Talk isn’t cheap</strong><br /> We’re mindful of budgets and busy schedules. With our experience and expertise, we can advise on best approaches for a successful, quality Ad Board meeting that’s within budget and that leaves a lasting impression. After all, a well-thought out and coordinated meeting with a trusted agency means you can stay focused on more important matters and increase the value out of your interaction. </p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="5" data-font="Calibri" data-leveltext="%1." data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-listid="1" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{0b9fd9ed-13e4-469b-8a11-9d8d71c844f0}{31}" paraid="1995466727"><strong>Consider your carbon footprint </strong><br /> Have you considered the environmental impact of running your Ad Board? We’ve been recognized as a company that is leading the way in climate action in Med Comms and have been collaborating with clients to provide innovative virtual formats and ‘green’ solutions for face-to-face meetings. Even some of our internal, green travel policies have been inspiring change in the way clients and KOLs travel to meetings. </p> </li> </ol><p paraeid="{0b9fd9ed-13e4-469b-8a11-9d8d71c844f0}{120}" paraid="667314531">For your next Ad Board, ask yourself, am I getting the most value out of this meeting? If you find yourself lacking inspiration, distracted by planning, or wanting more from your current agency, get in contact. We’d love to hear from you. <br /><strong>Contact <a href="mailto:alejandro.potes@asandk.com">Alejandro.Potes@asandk.com</a> for a consultation today.</strong></p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Author name and role&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-author-name-and-role"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-author-name-and-role field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author name and role</div> <div class="field__item">Medical Copywriting Team</div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Blog image&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-blog-image"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-blog-image field--type-image field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Blog image</div> <div class="field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/2022-07/AdBoard_Blog_sized.jpg" width="1140" height="712" alt="Image of advisory board principles for medical communications" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Blog tags&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-blog-tags"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-blog-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Blog tags</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/52" hreflang="en">Engagement</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Wed, 27 Jul 2022 10:05:29 +0000 Alana 407 at https://cms.asandk.com Vagina. That’s right, I said it. https://cms.asandk.com/node/400 <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Vagina. That’s right, I said it. </span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="/user/50" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">Alana</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Wed, 13/07/2022 - 16:43</span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Links&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-extra-field-blocknodeas-k-bloglinks"> <div class="content"> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Main blog content&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogbody"> <div class="content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p paraeid="{e013a35b-9b0b-4644-bc82-e885fe3ef038}{10}" paraid="1191650517">It was a typical Monday morning at AS&amp;K. I’d only been copywriting for a few months, mainly writing about neurology and dermatology. But on that morning, a meteor entered my atmosphere: a writing project, for a client, all about… the vagina.   </p> <p paraeid="{e013a35b-9b0b-4644-bc82-e885fe3ef038}{68}" paraid="76708059">Yes, you read that right, and don’t worry, I too also almost choked on my scone. We had been tasked with creating an internal-use online resource to cover everything you possibly (literally) need to know about the vagina. It was to consist of 25 topics and over 140 subtopics, written by our Consumer Health Writing Team, upheld and propelled forward by our Accounts Team, and woven into a beautiful SharePoint scarf thanks to our Digital Team.  </p> <p paraeid="{e013a35b-9b0b-4644-bc82-e885fe3ef038}{156}" paraid="189379837">My Google history has had a good old giggle since we started. I soon became accustomed to targeted ads for fancy foil-packaged, flavored, latex-free condoms while simultaneously being sent top tips on how to best deal with the menopause. However, as my knowledge of the female genitalia grew, my posture worsened, as I found myself cowering over my laptop in an attempt to hide the screen. Then one day, I thought … </p> <p paraeid="{e013a35b-9b0b-4644-bc82-e885fe3ef038}{248}" paraid="512185473"><strong>Hold on, why am I so embarrassed? Isn’t the whole point of this resource to be liberating, to help alleviate some of the stigma around this subject? Could this be the quintessence of hypocrisy?</strong>  </p> <p paraeid="{f090a53d-1d84-4a6f-bf2c-e8da9119c436}{39}" paraid="442933772">I think the pink-faced prude would come out in most of us should we find ourselves sitting in a cafe in central London writing about STDs and sourcing images of sex toys. But I had felt this way looking at medical diagrams of female sexual anatomy. </p> <p paraeid="{f090a53d-1d84-4a6f-bf2c-e8da9119c436}{65}" paraid="1260512248"><strong>So let me explain why this is such a problem and why the day we stop pussyfooting around the subject of gynecology, the world will become a much better place.  </strong></p> <p paraeid="{f090a53d-1d84-4a6f-bf2c-e8da9119c436}{105}" paraid="2147021399">First, eradicating vagina stigma will help women make better, more informed choices. They won’t need to cringe when asking for a pack of clotrimazole in their local pharmacy or smuggle boxes of tampons to their cars like shoplifters. It’s important to remember that language has immeasurable power, and <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)00528-1/fulltext" target="_blank">women still often feel embarrassed</a> to utter the words ‘vagina’, ‘vulva’, ‘labia’, or the hellion word that is ‘clitoris’.  </p> <p paraeid="{f090a53d-1d84-4a6f-bf2c-e8da9119c436}{185}" paraid="1027465908">By eradicating shame surrounding these words, the associated subjects become more normalized. Women will be more likely to talk to one another if struggling with an issue, and support each other if going through, say, a life change, like menopause.  </p> <p paraeid="{f090a53d-1d84-4a6f-bf2c-e8da9119c436}{215}" paraid="1104267859">As Nelson Mandela said, education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Lessening the embarrassment felt when discussing the vagina and related topics will make education less uncomfortable. Teaching women about their bodies will help them know what signs to look for before things get serious. They will be more likely to seek advice from their HCP rather than hide in their bathroom with, say, a horrid case of cystitis that could lead to pyelonephritis.  <br /><br /> With alleviation of embarrassment surrounding female genitalia will come the same for their functions. And perhaps the <a href="https://universe.byu.edu/2021/06/25/period-poverty-affects-millions-of-women-girls-globally/#:~:text=Globally%2C%203.5%20billion%20women%20have,access%20to%20feminine%20hygiene%20products." target="_blank">500 million women</a> currently suffering from <a href="https://asandk.com/blog/code-red-its-time-to-leave-menstrual-stigma-in-the-past/385" target="_blank">period poverty</a> could finally be free of the shame they feel as a result the prejudicial connotations that society has imposed upon the subject of menstruation.  </p> <p paraeid="{fced0c32-8a0c-40db-84af-b20e2d506b39}{90}" paraid="1411382490">Scrapping shame also results in amelioration of self-esteem. Women will feel more confident and more empowered to stand their ground if, for instance, someone tries to make them feel ashamed of their genitalia. </p> <p paraeid="{fced0c32-8a0c-40db-84af-b20e2d506b39}{132}" paraid="1932734036"><strong>In summary, it makes no sense to feel embarrassed about a body part that humankind quite literally depends on. So, let’s celebrate the vagina in all its wonder, taking us that little bit closer to being a more honest, accepting and empathetic society.</strong> </p> <p paraeid="{fced0c32-8a0c-40db-84af-b20e2d506b39}{182}" paraid="317214552">Finally, as supplied by <a href="https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/boost-vagina-confidence" target="_blank">Glamour UK</a>, a suitable-for-work-version of your very own “Vagina Playlist” to boost your vagina confidence. Enjoy! </p> <ul><li paraeid="{fced0c32-8a0c-40db-84af-b20e2d506b39}{214}" paraid="1222786198">“She Bop” by Cyndi Lauper </li> <li paraeid="{fced0c32-8a0c-40db-84af-b20e2d506b39}{214}" paraid="1222786198">“Work It” by Missy Elliot </li> <li paraeid="{fced0c32-8a0c-40db-84af-b20e2d506b39}{214}" paraid="1222786198">“Body of My Own” by Charli XCX </li> <li paraeid="{fced0c32-8a0c-40db-84af-b20e2d506b39}{214}" paraid="1222786198">“Love Myself” by Hailie Steinfeld </li> <li paraeid="{fced0c32-8a0c-40db-84af-b20e2d506b39}{214}" paraid="1222786198">“I Can’t” by Foxy Brown </li> </ul><p paraeid="{fced0c32-8a0c-40db-84af-b20e2d506b39}{249}" paraid="659475524"><br /><strong>Viva la vagina!  </strong></p> <p paraeid="{fced0c32-8a0c-40db-84af-b20e2d506b39}{249}" paraid="659475524"> </p> <p paraeid="{fced0c32-8a0c-40db-84af-b20e2d506b39}{249}" paraid="659475524"><strong>If you are interested in how AS&amp;K can help with your Women's Health communications strategy for healthcare professionals or patients please contact Alejandro Potes for a consultation today at <a href="mailto:alejandro.potes@asandk.com">Alejandro.Potes@asandk.com</a></strong></p> <p paraeid="{e0ce597c-3ca4-47b6-a635-9634f748dc08}{16}" paraid="680241166"> </p> <p paraeid="{e0ce597c-3ca4-47b6-a635-9634f748dc08}{20}" paraid="861945969"> </p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Author name and role&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-author-name-and-role"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-author-name-and-role field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author name and role</div> <div class="field__item">Olivia Gray - Medical Copywriter</div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Blog image&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-blog-image"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-blog-image field--type-image field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Blog image</div> <div class="field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/2022-07/11148-2_Social_Media_Blog.jpg" width="1140" height="712" alt="Illustrated uterus with flowers for healthcare professional medical education of women&#039;s health" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Blog tags&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-blog-tags"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-blog-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Blog tags</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/52" hreflang="en">Engagement</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Wed, 13 Jul 2022 16:43:54 +0000 Alana 400 at https://cms.asandk.com When is a game not a game? https://cms.asandk.com/node/395 <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">When is a game not a game? </span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="/user/50" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">Alana</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Thu, 09/06/2022 - 13:20</span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Links&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-extra-field-blocknodeas-k-bloglinks"> <div class="content"> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Main blog content&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogbody"> <div class="content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p paraeid="{f5ddb6e2-4e6c-4864-a4b2-9251784791f2}{192}" paraid="1753830533">We’ve had an increasing number of requests in the past few years to build gamification into our projects – for a wide variety of project types, from internal communication and training to medical education to branded promotional activities. But, what makes an activity gamified? And, does gamification actually improve its effectiveness? </p> <p paraeid="{f5ddb6e2-4e6c-4864-a4b2-9251784791f2}{210}" paraid="1619575099">Gamification is defined (e.g. by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamification" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>) as a strategy to enhance an activity by applying game mechanics to it. It stems from the observation that gamers (myself among them) will often play a game for hours just to reach the next level, beat that lap time, or get on the high-score table. If medical education could be just as fun/marginally addictive, wouldn’t it be more effective, and make HCPs more likely to participate and to complete it?  </p> <p paraeid="{f5ddb6e2-4e6c-4864-a4b2-9251784791f2}{245}" paraid="979897115">Well, given we work in an empirical industry, you’ll not be surprised to learn there have been studies of the effectiveness of gamification, even RCTs and systematic reviews. And while perhaps not all the publications describe approaches that would pass muster at the FDA, there is good evidence that it does indeed improve engagement, knowledge, and retention.  </p> <p paraeid="{a5c2b108-c7c9-40bf-910a-a80c57f042a1}{10}" paraid="1837293156">So, what elements from games can be incorporated into activities? There are many, but they all try to engender a sense of achievement, of progress, of bettering the computer or your peers. Things like points, badges, leaderboards, objectives to strive for, times to beat. Gamification is intended to make activities like medical education that are arduous – boring sometimes! – more engaging, more fun, in order to help participants do them and finish them.   </p> <p paraeid="{a5c2b108-c7c9-40bf-910a-a80c57f042a1}{34}" paraid="1488428120">Actually building these things into educational or training activities can be harder than it sounds. And not all projects are appropriate to be gamified. Take a typical booth activity: a knowledge quiz about a product or therapy area. This is not gamified education, it’s just a game. Participants are unlikely to learn much from the questions. There’s no impetus to have ‘just one more go!’. We’ve also made many activities, include booth quizzes, game shows, even a case-based physical board game, that were games, but still effective in achieving their objectives without being ‘gamified.’  </p> <p paraeid="{a5c2b108-c7c9-40bf-910a-a80c57f042a1}{76}" paraid="159455863">So next time you write an RFP for a project and include gamification as a requirement, first ask yourself what you’re trying to achieve, whether gamification is really right for the activity (whether in fact what you’re asking for is just a game). And, please send the RFP our way! </p> <p paraeid="{a5c2b108-c7c9-40bf-910a-a80c57f042a1}{76}" paraid="159455863">Contact me directly at  <a href="mailto:alana.zdinak@asandk.com" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">alana.zdinak@asandk.com</a> </p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Author name and role&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-author-name-and-role"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-author-name-and-role field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author name and role</div> <div class="field__item">Alana Zdinak - Sales and Marketing Director</div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Blog image&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-blog-image"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-blog-image field--type-image field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Blog image</div> <div class="field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/2022-07/GamificationVsGaming_illustration.jpg" width="1140" height="712" alt="Illustration of healthcare professionals engaging with scientific data through digital gamification" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Blog tags&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-blog-tags"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-blog-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Blog tags</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/52" hreflang="en">Engagement</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Thu, 09 Jun 2022 13:20:06 +0000 Alana 395 at https://cms.asandk.com Storytelling through Data Visualization https://cms.asandk.com/node/384 <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Storytelling through Data Visualization</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="/user/50" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">Alana</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Tue, 10/05/2022 - 17:07</span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Links&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-extra-field-blocknodeas-k-bloglinks"> <div class="content"> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Main blog content&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogbody"> <div class="content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p paraeid="{7fad32af-7d43-4963-b12e-04c265d4ad2f}{170}" paraid="351371176">Advances in technology and communications have made it possible for us to have an ever-growing amount of information at our fingertips, ready to be consumed, shared… and quickly forgotten? In a world that revolves more and more frequently around images, leaving a mark has become an increasingly difficult challenge, particularly when complex information is involved: our knowledge can be expanded now more than ever, but what about our capability to understand, memorize, and recall? </p> <p paraeid="{7fad32af-7d43-4963-b12e-04c265d4ad2f}{176}" paraid="263914658">Data visualization has the power to engage our brains at a level that words cannot reach; it speaks to our innate ability to recognize patterns, detect trends, isolate outliers. It is also more than making numbers look beautiful: it makes sure they tell a story, a story that encapsulates our clients’ values and carries their messages loud and clear, thus influencing the viewers’ decision-making process in a concise, effective way.  </p> <p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{5fa38985-4bf4-42bd-b003-8a8f72413de6}{27}" paraid="1447150832" xml:lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">At AS&amp;K, we appreciate the enormous difference this can make when communicating potentially practice-changing results to your stakeholders. Thus, we have become masters in capturing your perfect narrative and in distilling complex data into a series of informative, impactful visuals that best endorse it. </p> <p paraeid="{7fad32af-7d43-4963-b12e-04c265d4ad2f}{196}" paraid="1600093261">We know this takes more than an imaginative mind and good design software. To this end, we combine experts in Strategy, Creative and Content to ensure that our client’s objectives are fulfilled, the message clear and consistent, and the science robust. </p> <p paraeid="{7fad32af-7d43-4963-b12e-04c265d4ad2f}{202}" paraid="1831899182">We are also aware that displaying an asset in the right environment is just as important in boosting its reach and influence. Our in-house digital experts optimize placement of the finished piece and harness its full potential by capturing the interest of a growing population of digital opinion leaders. </p> <p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{5fa38985-4bf4-42bd-b003-8a8f72413de6}{16}" paraid="719260522" xml:lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB"><em>“We showed a range of assets – some more traditional, others more adventurous – to a group of ‘visually-oriented’ specialists. Those that resonated most not only offered a visual cue and context for the dataset discussed (e.g. adding an emotive, human aspect to patient-reported outcomes, clearly depicting the condition as a burden rather than emotionless numbers...), but were also grounded in familiar elements. Axes, scales, the sensation of a data chart were important as framing for HCPs, but use of people, iconography, aligning language to the direction of a given trajectory ensured the broader meaning remained front and center”  AS&amp;K Market Research Team</em></p> <p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{5fa38985-4bf4-42bd-b003-8a8f72413de6}{127}" paraid="1887913948" xml:lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Data visualization has the power to speak to your audiences in a unified language and yet still cater to different preferences, which we have learned to recognize and leverage.  </p> <p paraeid="{7fad32af-7d43-4963-b12e-04c265d4ad2f}{228}" paraid="1219953171">We appreciate that visuals need to resonate with each viewer rather than being completely alien to their day-to-day experience, and have honed our skills to produce materials that speak about innovation in a language that feels familiar, is easy to understand, and brings our clients’ narratives to life in an impactful – and of course beautiful! – way.  </p> <p paraeid="{7fad32af-7d43-4963-b12e-04c265d4ad2f}{238}" paraid="827318759">Want to consult with our visualization specialists? Contact Alejandro Potes at <a href="mailto:alejandro.potes@asandk.com" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">alejandro.potes@asandk.com</a> to arrange a meeting today! </p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Author name and role&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-author-name-and-role"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-author-name-and-role field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author name and role</div> <div class="field__item">Medical Content Team</div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Blog image&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-blog-image"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-blog-image field--type-image field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Blog image</div> <div class="field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/2022-06/DataVis_picture_1140x712.jpg" width="1140" height="712" alt="Complex scientific data into data visualization" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Blog tags&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-blog-tags"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-blog-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Blog tags</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/52" hreflang="en">Engagement</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 10 May 2022 17:07:02 +0000 Alana 384 at https://cms.asandk.com Diary of a Newbie Medical Copywriter https://cms.asandk.com/node/380 <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Diary of a Newbie Medical Copywriter </span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="/user/1" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">admin</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Wed, 06/04/2022 - 12:44</span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Links&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-extra-field-blocknodeas-k-bloglinks"> <div class="content"> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Main blog content&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogbody"> <div class="content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p paraeid="{ab42dc9e-0202-49fd-87c0-385dce8deba3}{50}" paraid="1761238519">In November 2021, my career trajectory did a full 180°. With a Pharmacy degree and a few years of med comms experience, I joined the Creative Club – taking my first big step into the cool and colorful world of medical copywriting. Before I had time to doubt myself, it was day 1 at the virtual office, and with Stephen King’s wise ‘On Writing’ words engrained, and my A-level grammar refreshed, it was time for me to bellyflop into the pool of the unfamiliar.<br />  <br /> Three months in and I’ve dipped my toes, mastered the doggy paddle, and taken my armbands off. Heck, I’ve even done a few lengths! In this time, I’ve learnt more lessons than I can count and know I still have a long way to go... but as the old saying goes, ‘you only know what you know’, so here are my top newbie-copywriter tips, just in case you are considering buying a swimsuit anytime soon.  <br />  <br /><strong>1. Isolation inspires  </strong><br />  <br /> In the modern world, it’s tough to get creative – a process heavily reliant on getting lost in your own thoughts – with so many pings and bleeps to distract us. So, I highly recommend finding your own space with no distractions – somewhere you feel safe and relaxed so that you, inspiration, and the English language can get chummy.  <br />  <br /> By 9 am, you’ll typically find me in my study with a double-shot latte in my hand, the end of a biro in my mouth and a Pink Floyd playlist or something similar humming in the background. I’m not going to pretend that my phone remains permanently out of sight, but what I will say is that when it’s completely out of the room, it does wonders for my creativity. Find what works for you; but regardless of your music taste or caffeine stimulant of choice, learn when it’s time to be alone.  <br /><br /><strong>2. Get comfortable with not being the smartest person in the room </strong><br />  <br /> When I first became a copywriter, my lack of experience coupled with my excitement meant I was both willing and hungry to learn. It was a career jump, and I knew I was relying on a background of avid reading as well as a dash of common sense and skill, so I went into it with an open mind.  <br /><br /> On reflection, it was the best approach I could have taken because I soon came to learn that a subjective art like writing means corrections are inevitable and critique is unavoidable. It’s all about accepting and enjoying this process, and over time I’ve come to learn that almost all corrections have in fact bettered my writing in technicality, style, or often both. Enjoy being surrounded by the more experienced and be prepared to take notes.  <br />  <br /><strong>3. Find your own voice  </strong><br />  <br /> The irony of using a cliché to continue the subject of uniqueness makes it no less true. While being a copywriter requires fluidity in style and the ability to match specific tone and brand voice, that doesn’t mean your voice can’t be heard too. Having a blog section on our website means I get to write about things that I’m passionate about; write about these things and you’ll soon discover your voice. It might (probably) need a bit of tweaking, but you’ll find it. <br /><br /> On the note of standing your own ground and staying true to yourself, sure, critique is an opportunity to learn, but sometimes you are exceedingly fond of that superb choice of simile, use of imagery or word choice (after all, you spent half an hour painstakingly selecting it!). As a creative, hopefully you’re passionate about the work you produce. This, plus a sound explanation as to how your choice of words enhance the story, might be enough to swing a decision. Remember, personality and professionalism need not be strangers. <br /><br /><strong>4. Keep it simple </strong><br />  <br /> For a while, I believed that interesting writing had to be intellectually impressive, but I’m gradually learning when it’s time to put the thesaurus back on the shelf.  <br />  <br /> In medical copywriting, you are not trying to convince your reader that you’re the next Charlotte Brontë. It has taken me a while to trust my own vocabulary, but I now appreciate the sweetness of simplicity and accept the fact that it does not equal stupidity.   <br /> What’s the most valuable lesson I’ve learnt in recent months? It takes skill to write, but it takes talent to write simply. <br />  <br /><strong>In conclusion </strong><br />  <br /> There you have it: goggles, flippers, a cap and snorkel.<br /><br /><strong>If you’re considering a career in medical copywriting and are looking to get your creative juices flowing in an agency that values all ideas and voices, drop the AS&amp;K recruitment team an email at <a href="mailto:Amy.Bremner@asandk.com">Amy.Bremner@asandk.com</a></strong></p> <p paraeid="{50653b40-88b4-4701-904a-6c30fb1f6758}{196}" paraid="690307612"><strong>To read more about the perks of being an AS&amp;Ker read our benefits blog <a href="https://asandk.com/blog/the-perks-of-being-an-asker/332">here</a>.</strong></p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Author name and role&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-author-name-and-role"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-author-name-and-role field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author name and role</div> <div class="field__item">Olivia Gray - Medical Copywriter</div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Blog image&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-blog-image"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-blog-image field--type-image field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Blog image</div> <div class="field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/2022-05/GettyImages-489877592_small.jpg" width="1140" height="712" alt="Illustration of a medical copywriter" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Blog tags&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-blog-tags"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-blog-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Blog tags</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/52" hreflang="en">Engagement</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/54" hreflang="en">Working at AS&amp;K</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Wed, 06 Apr 2022 12:44:59 +0000 admin 380 at https://cms.asandk.com Top Ten Tips to Create an Outstanding Infographic  https://cms.asandk.com/node/328 <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Top Ten Tips to Create an Outstanding Infographic </span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="/user/6" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">Beatrice</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Thu, 28/10/2021 - 13:40</span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Links&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-extra-field-blocknodeas-k-bloglinks"> <div class="content"> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Main blog content&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogbody"> <div class="content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The word ‘infographic’ gets used a lot in Med Comms. It sometimes feels like the ubiquitous solution to every challenge – big chunk of data, turn it into an infographic; latest study results, turn them into an infographic; promoting disease awareness, let’s make an infographic!  </p> <p>The days of large, dense chunks of text are long gone – no one has the time or the patience to wade through them. Instead we want an eye-catching infographic – enjoyable to read, easy to understand and visually striking.  </p> <p>But creating an infographic that works from a visual and storytelling perspective takes time, thought and creativity. It requires more than adding a few icons and splitting text into bullets.  </p> <p>We asked Harry Cooper and Bruna Milanez, our Design Director and Head of Design respectively, to devise their top tips to make a stand-out infographic. And here is their list: </p> <ol><li>Think of an infographic as a visual representation of a story. So first you need the story! We work closely with our Content colleagues to develop a compelling narrative that can be visualized.</li> <br /><li>Remember that beautiful design is not enough. The infographic has to resonate with its target audience. So we need to understand who they are and what are their needs to ensure that we deliver a solution that works for them. </li> <br /><li>Before you start make sure you ask the right questions. What are the deliverables? Print, digital or both? Where will it be seen? At an event? On a social media channel? Can it be interactive? To be creative, you need to know your parameters. </li> <br /><li>Keep it simple. This will help communicate the story and message without confusing the reader. </li> <br /><li>Focus on the flow. A good story flow will help us create designs that will engage and connect with our audience. Our aim is to keep the reader interested and guide them from one data point to the next.  </li> <br /><li>Understand the hierarchy of the data. Drawing attention to key aspects and knowing when to switch the readers’ attention is just as important as getting the flow right.  </li> <br /><li>Maintain a consistent style throughout. Like any good story we want to immerse the reader. We can achieve this by keeping a consistent style and making the whole design feel connected. </li> <br /><li>Give the design space and room to breathe. A busy or cluttered graphic will leave the reader confused and disengaged. </li> <br /><li>Working in healthcare we deal with a lot of heavy data. Find a way to simplify this, focus on the data that really is key and best conveys the message. Remember, less is (often) more!  </li> <br /><li>Think outside the box! A bit of a cliché but it still holds true. If you want your infographic to stand out and be memorable, consider the bigger picture, the journey you are taking your reader on. And then let your imagination run wild!<br />  </li> </ol><p><b>Are you looking to turn your dense data into an outstanding infographic, or have a narrative that needs visualizing, then please contact Alana Zdinak – alana.zdinak@asandk.com </b></p> <p> </p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Author name and role&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-author-name-and-role"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-author-name-and-role field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author name and role</div> <div class="field__item">HARRY COOPER - DESIGN DIRECTOR &amp; BRUNA MILANEZ - HEAD OF DESIGN</div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Blog image&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-blog-image"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-blog-image field--type-image field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Blog image</div> <div class="field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/2021-11/top-tips-great-infographics.png" width="1140" height="712" alt="How Infographics are developed in medical communications" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Blog tags&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-blog-tags"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-blog-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Blog tags</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/78" hreflang="en">Design</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/52" hreflang="en">Engagement</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Thu, 28 Oct 2021 13:40:53 +0000 Beatrice 328 at https://cms.asandk.com 5 Ways to Engage the Modern Medical Learner https://cms.asandk.com/node/226 <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">5 Ways to Engage the Modern Medical Learner</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="/user/6" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">Beatrice</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Fri, 10/09/2021 - 18:33</span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Links&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-extra-field-blocknodeas-k-bloglinks"> <div class="content"> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Main blog content&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogbody"> <div class="content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Today’s modern learner is overwhelmed, distracted, and impatient for information, according to a recent report by global industry analyst Josh Bersin. So, as a medical education professional, how do you tailor your programs to meet the personal needs of 21<sup>st</sup> century learners?</strong></p> <p>Whether you’re educating healthcare professionals (HCPs), medical science liaisons, sales reps or carers, you need to start by understanding each audience’s needs. In this post, we’ll review some key ways to develop and present clear, engaging content that your modern medical learner will value. </p> <p><b>Get blended learning</b><br /> Blended learning is a flexible educational method. It allows you to mix traditional face-to-face classroom learning with digital technology. According to research, blended instruction is more effective and cost-effective than traditional face-to-face teaching.</p> <p>In medical education, blended learning can include:</p> <ul><li>Medical e-learning modules, independent online study, interactive webinars</li> <li>Workshops: face-to-face or digital</li> <li>Conference calls, and live or online sessions with instructors</li> <li>Chat rooms, blogs, podcasting, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Skype and online forums</li> </ul><p><br /><b>Get mobile</b><br /> A recent survey revealed 47% of doctors are using smartphones, tablets, and computers for clinical work. Today’s pharmaceutical company employees are also working from multiple locations, including home. Many of them also use mobile devices to learn during travel. </p> <p>The largest amount of learning – 52% – occurs at the point of need, or when the learner requires missing information. So they often seek out answers through a Google search on a mobile phone. Therefore, your medical training for HCPs and employees needs to be flexible and accessible from any location.</p> <p><b>Get micro modules</b><br /> Today’s HCPs are short on time. So providing online education in short, bite-sized bursts that doctors can use in their clinical work can increase their knowledge on a convenient, ongoing basis, over time. </p> <p>The modern workforce also prefers learning through short content, rather than being overwhelmed with too much information that will interfere with their job routine. Furthermore, most modern learners “won’t watch videos longer than four minutes,” according to the Bersin report. So many organizations are now converting lengthy e-learning modules into shorter, micro modules.</p> <p><b>Get personal</b><br /> Your medical-healthcare education audiences have a diverse range of personal preferences and learning styles. Personalizing medical education content is one way to ensure modern learners stay on-track.<b> </b></p> <p>So it’s important to empower your learners by including a wide range of online and offline activities,<b> </b>exercises and media into your educational programs. This allows each individual to choose what works best for them and use these resources at their own pace.<b> </b>Customizing educational resources can also encourage your audience to stay open to new ways of learning.</p> <p><b>Get quality content</b><br /> While speed and convenience are high priorities for increasing personal knowledge, the quality of the information that today’s learners receive is their key priority. In addition, 57% confirm that they want to be able to increase their professional development through further certifications and qualifications. </p> <p>In the pharmaceutical industry, these certifications include continuing medical education (CME) and continuing professional development (CPD) for employees. So to meet these needs, you should consider getting your courses accredited.</p> <p><b>Get ready to customize your medical education</b><br /> Are you taking all the steps you can to ensure that your company connects with new generations of modern medical learners? AS&amp;K can help you to create customized, quality blended learning content to engage and hold the attention. <strong>Contact <a href="mailto:alejandro.potes@asandk.com">Alejandro.Potes@asandk.com</a> for a consultation today.</strong></p> <h5><br /><b>References</b></h5> <ol><li>Pereira JA, et al. Effectiveness of using blended learning strategies for teaching and learning human anatomy. Medical Education. Volume 41, Issue 2. <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2929.2006.02672.x">https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2929.2006.02672.x</a></li> <li>Banditvilai C. Enhancing Students' Language Skills through Blended Learning. The Electronic Journal of e-Learning. Volume 14, Issue 3, 2016. http://www.ejel.org/main.html. Accessed Feb 2020.</li> <li>Kerry, T. 47% of doctors use smartphone, tablet and PC <a href="https://www.informationweek.com/mobile/47-of-doctors-use-smartphone-tablet-and-pc">https://www.informationweek.com/mobile/47--of-doctors-use-smartphone-tablet-and-pc/d/d-id/1111170</a>. Accessed Feb 2020.</li> <li>Penfold, S. Modern Learning: 6 Reasons Why Learning Has Changed Forever. June 21, 2016. <a href="https://elearningindustry.com/modern-learning-6-reasons-learning-changed-forever">https://elearningindustry.com/modern-learning-6-reasons-learning-changed-forever</a>. Accessed Feb 2020.</li> <li>Deloitte Consulting LLP. Meet the Modern Learner: Engaging the Overwhelmed, Distracted, and Impatient Employee. <a href="https://humancapitalresearch-login.deloitte.com/Login.aspx?p=http%3a%2f%2flegacy.bersin.com%2flib%2frs%2fShowDocument.aspx%3fdocid%3d18071.%20Accessed%20Feb%202020.">https://login.bersin.com/Login.aspx?p=http%3a%2f%2flegacy.bersin.com%2flib%2frs%2fShowDocument.aspx%3fdocid%3d18071. Accessed Feb 2020.</a></li> </ol></div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Author name and role&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-author-name-and-role"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-author-name-and-role field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author name and role</div> <div class="field__item">The AS&amp;K content team</div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Blog image&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-blog-image"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-blog-image field--type-image field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Blog image</div> <div class="field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/2020-10/asandk-blog-ipad.png" width="1140" height="712" alt="Engaging the the modern medical learner" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Blog tags&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-blog-tags"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-blog-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Blog tags</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/52" hreflang="en">Engagement</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Fri, 10 Sep 2021 18:33:46 +0000 Beatrice 226 at https://cms.asandk.com Top Tips for Creating Exceptional Slides https://cms.asandk.com/node/319 <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Top Tips for Creating Exceptional Slides</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="/user/6" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">Beatrice</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Fri, 03/09/2021 - 16:41</span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Links&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-extra-field-blocknodeas-k-bloglinks"> <div class="content"> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Main blog content&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogbody"> <div class="content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Slide decks are something of a staple in med comms and come in all shapes and sizes ‒ long, short, simple, and all too often, rather complicated. At AS&amp;K we are often tasked with creating eye-catching decks from scratch, or transforming dull complicated slides into punchy, engaging ones that will capture an audience’s attention, and keep it. This can be challenging, even for seasoned PowerPoint users, especially when you factor in diverse therapy areas, products and audiences, and throw the odd tight deadline on top.</p> <p>So, to help you produce slides that will ‘wow’ your audience and make best use of your time, we have compiled our top tips for creating awesome slides.</p> <p><b>1. Become a PowerPoint whiz</b></p> <p>This may sound a little contrived as a starting point, but if you’re sculpting a slide deck worthy of Michelangelo, PowerPoint is your chisel, and you need to know how to use it – the finer details of ‘<i>David’</i> weren’t crafted with the handle!</p> <p>Learning the functionality of PowerPoint is an ongoing process, and something everyone who creates slide decks should dedicate time to, no matter their experience. At AS&amp;K, we run regular PowerPoint training sessions, both for newer and ‘advanced’ users, and allocate time for ‘tips and tricks’ (for PowerPoint or anything else!) at weekly team meetings.</p> <p>So get comfortable with those slide masters, advanced animations, shortcuts, and all those other tools that will make the job easier.</p> <p><b>2. Understand the brief</b></p> <p>Before you even open PowerPoint, there are some key details you need to establish:</p> <ul><li>What is the aim of the slide deck?</li> <li>Who is the audience?</li> <li>How will it be used and in what setting?</li> <li>How long is the presentation (or, how many slides are needed)?</li> <li>What is the required style?</li> </ul><p>These questions will help you to understand everything from the language you should use to the best visuals to employ and potential compliance issues that may arise.</p> <p><b>3. Outline!</b></p> <p>Whether it’s a full ‘skeleton’ or just a 5-minute sketch in your notepad, if you’re creating a deck from scratch, plan it from start to finish! This will help ensure that you don’t leave out any key information and allow you to order the content so that it flows well and tells a compelling story that’s easy to present.</p> <p><i>You might have noticed that we are almost at tip number four and we haven’t even mentioned content! I’m here to tell you that it’s okay to spend real time preparing to start work on a slide deck, and you shouldn’t be afraid to make it known if this is the case. You know what they say about those who fail to prepare…</i></p> <p><b>4. Consistency is key</b> </p> <p>Style guides can be long, boring and tricky to navigate, but they aren’t just there to adorn your desktop. Keep the style guide open for quick reference when working on a deck, and if you have any doubt on style or language, look it up. This applies to the visual elements of your slides as well; ensure graphs and tables are placed consistently on slides, color palettes are adhered to, and image and icon styles match. If you aren’t working with a style guide, it’s up to you to set the standard – pick a way of doing something and stick to it. If you’re working with colleagues on a slide deck, make sure they know to do it the same way too.</p> <p><b>5. Keep it simple </b></p> <p>In med comms, we are regularly tasked with distilling very complex science into clear, straightforward messages. With so much information swirling around, your slides can quickly become dizzying labyrinths, dense with data and festooned with footnotes.</p> <p>Having too much information on one slide is not beneficial to end users; readers will struggle to absorb messages from slides that stray too far from the key points, while live presenters and their audiences will struggle to read small, cramped text, or even finish reading a slide before it’s time to move onto the next one.</p> <p>If a slide is looking particularly busy and you’re struggling to find anything that can be cut, consider spreading the information over two slides or splitting up key points. Don’t forget about the speaker notes ‒ unlike your space-limited slide, you can elaborate as much as you like in the speaker notes.</p> <p>If you’re really in a bind and need to keep every little detail on an overly busy slide, consider techniques to draw attention to the core message of the slide – highlight key data or information, or introduce an animated build that finishes with a simpler takeaway.</p> <p><b>6. Make it visual</b> </p> <p>Even if your slides are simple, if you present a deck made up of only titles and bullet points, you will quickly lose the interest of your audience. Choose different ways to present the information on your slides to keep viewers engaged – text boxes, diagrams, flow charts, images, and icons can all help break up text and create visually stimulating slides.</p> <p><b>7. Explore other media for creative ideas</b></p> <p>Slides can very easily become formulaic and monotonous. Sometimes that’s a good thing, it lets us easily compare similar data, for example. But you may be looking for something a little more exciting for your slide deck; you have probably heard buzzwords such as ‘sexier’, ‘more impactful’, or ‘something I haven’t seen before’. So, how do you make a sequence of boxes on a screen really come to life?</p> <p>Look for inspiration in other types of media. This can be anything, from a TV advert to a social media influencer to a newspaper front page (remember those?). A personal favorite of mine is to explore data visualization websites where you might come across the perfect style to spice up your graphs, or even find a new way of looking at the data entirely!</p> <p>This is also a good way to involve your colleagues – other people on your team might have worked on projects that can guide you, or if you work with a creative team, ask them for their thoughts and where they look for inspiration.</p> <p><b>8. Have someone check your work</b></p> <p>Accuracy is perhaps the most important aspect of med comms; and despite our best efforts, we all make mistakes. Having someone else review your work provides a safety net for any errors that may have slipped through. In addition, a reviewer can offer fresh perspectives on your work and may have suggestions on how to improve your approach. At AS&amp;K, we use a peer-to-peer review system as well as senior sign-off to ensure accuracy and consistency.</p> <p><b>9. Try presenting it</b> </p> <p>If you are going to be presenting your slide deck (or even if you’re not!), you should spend time doing a few practice runs. This will quickly help you pick up how well your story flows, where you might have too much information, or where your supporting slides may be a little sparse and need beefing up. If you can present it to someone, they can help you with this feedback, or, if you’re shy, record yourself presenting and watch it back (while thinking: ‘Do I <i>really</i> sound like that!?’)</p> <p>Hopefully these tips have got you well on your way to creating that knock-out slide deck, but if you still feel you don’t know your aspect ratio from your elbow connector, perhaps it’s time to call in the professionals at AS&amp;K – our team would be delighted to talk to you about all your slide deck needs, and how we can help you.</p> <p><em>Contact Alejandro Potes, Business Development Manager at <a href="mailto:alana.zdinak@asandk.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">alejandro.potes@asandk.com</a> for a consultation today!</em></p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Author name and role&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-author-name-and-role"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-author-name-and-role field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author name and role</div> <div class="field__item">Jake Bambrough - Senior Medical Writer</div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Blog image&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-blog-image"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-blog-image field--type-image field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Blog image</div> <div class="field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/2021-09/Tops%20for%20a%20great%20presentation%20-%20woman%20presenting%20to%20audience.png" width="1140" height="712" alt="Tips for a great presentation - woman presenting to audience" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Blog tags&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-blog-tags"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-blog-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Blog tags</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/52" hreflang="en">Engagement</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Fri, 03 Sep 2021 16:41:47 +0000 Beatrice 319 at https://cms.asandk.com Inclusive Language: Time to Move Beyond the Buzzwords https://cms.asandk.com/node/318 <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Inclusive Language: Time to Move Beyond the Buzzwords</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="/user/6" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">Beatrice</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Tue, 31/08/2021 - 08:12</span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Links&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-extra-field-blocknodeas-k-bloglinks"> <div class="content"> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Main blog content&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogbody"> <div class="content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) policies and initiatives have long been considered a pinnacle of ethical business practice. These seek to create an inclusive company culture, i.e. the absence of exclusion or perceived exclusion by team members. These relate to protected characteristics under the UK Equal Opportunities and Discrimination Act (Equality Act 2010): age; disability; gender; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion; sex; and sexual orientation.</p> <p>Language is a powerful cultural tool. The words we use, no matter how subtle, subconsciously influence human thought, beliefs and behavior. As such, how we describe people and their identities can have a profound effect on how we perceive them, for better or for worse. It also transforms the experience of the reader or listener that either identifies or disagrees with the positions and descriptors that we use in our writing. Because of this, the importance of language has long been understood as a fundamental pillar of EDI practice.</p> <p>However, ‘inclusive language’ and other EDI buzzwords are thrown around so often in corporate spaces that they sometimes lose their meaning and importance. What does this phrase really mean? How can our language as communicators work to pursue our EDI aspirations, from both a company perspective and as individuals? At AS&amp;K, we believe that commitment to the following principles attests to the success of an inclusive writer.</p> <p><b>1. Consider both your audience and your subjects. </b></p> <p>We are taught that attuning to our audience – their level of comprehension, wants and needs – is paramount to producing an effective piece of writing. However, we need to go a step further and also adapt for those we are writing <i>about</i>, and do so empathetically and from a position of understanding.</p> <p>Be sensitive to identity and consider identity-first language (e.g. person with diabetes vs diabetic person) and specificity, i.e. whether being specific about pronouns or protected characteristics is necessary to make your narrative clearer or if it serves to be exclusionary. Regarding your audience, make sure you are comfortable with the region(s) for which you are writing, as variations around correct terminology may exist.</p> <p><b>2. Interrogate and understand your positionality. </b></p> <p>Positionality is your own personal worldview and the position you adopt when you set out to write something. You may view the task from a unique social and political context, where any unconscious biases may cause blind spots in your writing. Sit with your own thoughts often so that you understand your own beliefs and whether it is appropriate to bring this positionality into your writing (e.g. in an opinion piece) or to remove it entirely and write from a neutral perspective (e.g. in an advisory board report).</p> <p><b>3. Educate yourself on stereotypes.</b></p> <p>Although we may think we’re entirely aware of extreme stereotypes, often there are much more subtle assumptions we can make whilst writing that may go unnoticed by the uninitiated but will be picked up on by those affected. Avoid reinforcing them.</p> <p><b>4. Commit to evolving with the language of the present</b>.</p> <p>Language is constantly changing, as those who are marginalized become more empowered to express what makes them uncomfortable, and influence what becomes inappropriate in our language. Keep your ear to the ground in diverse spaces and on social media, where many of these changes occur and solidify.</p> <p>Remember that writing inclusively is only part of the solution for a more equitable world. We must commit to educating our colleagues, friends and family about the importance of inclusive language (and the detriment that non-inclusive language can have), so that we can collectively shift wider discourse from irritation or rejection to acceptance and eventually advocacy.</p> <p>Whilst one company alone cannot solve the problems of discrimination and prejudice, a company that walks the talk of EDI principles provides opportunities for the workforce to be exposed to different perspectives, beliefs and struggles, enhancing our ability to relate and empathize with each other.</p> <p>When it comes to the pursuit of equity, diversity and inclusion, there is no finish line. Language will always evolve, and we will continue adapting our communication to the new paradigm. At AS&amp;K, we are always challenging our understanding of the current cultural lexicon, using training and regular updates to EDI resources to keep our writing inclusive. Even though the race will never be over, unlearning and relearning in our pursuit of practicing EDI principles is a process that any aspiring company must commit to, to make a real difference.</p> <p> </p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Author name and role&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-author-name-and-role"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-author-name-and-role field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author name and role</div> <div class="field__item">Aysia Lawrence, Senior Medical Writer</div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Blog image&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-blog-image"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-blog-image field--type-image field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Blog image</div> <div class="field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/2021-09/edi%20for%20med%20writers.png" width="1140" height="712" alt="EDI for medical writers" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Blog tags&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-blog-tags"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-blog-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Blog tags</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/52" hreflang="en">Engagement</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 31 Aug 2021 08:12:57 +0000 Beatrice 318 at https://cms.asandk.com Less Can be More, Thanks to Modular Content Strategy https://cms.asandk.com/node/234 <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Less Can be More, Thanks to Modular Content Strategy</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="/user/6" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">Beatrice</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Tue, 13/10/2020 - 13:47</span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Links&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-extra-field-blocknodeas-k-bloglinks"> <div class="content"> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Main blog content&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogbody"> <div class="content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Impactful content that stands out from the crowd is key to the success of a campaign, but can we leverage its full potential with limited resources, time, and attention spans?</strong></p> <p>As the ancient Greeks used to say, <i>Panta Rhei</i> - <i>everything flows. </i>The world changes relentlessly, and in the modern business of marketing this necessitates constant adjustment, refinement, and attunement to grab the attention of audiences that are continuously bombarded with content.   </p> <p>Impactful content that stands out from the crowd is key to the success of a campaign, but can we leverage its full potential with limited resources, time, and attention spans? The secret is to ensure that the target audiences can access it with ease, from their platform of choice, and with consistent messaging that clearly drives the point home. </p> <p>An omnichannel strategy supported by agile, modular assets allows exactly that and is increasingly embraced by our clients, who favor bite-sized fragments that can be easily used in isolation or combined and consumed via multiple outlets. In the ever more digital world of communication, this approach integrates seamlessly with CRMs such as Veeva, and supports an effective implementation of AI solutions that both streamline and sharpen interactions with customers.</p> <p>Our multidisciplinary teams of medical writers, copywriters, data visualization experts, designers and digital strategists are already embracing this new way of working with numerous clients. Hence, the concept of integrating and streamlining content is in the project mindset from the outset.  </p> <p>The benefits of this strategy are multifaceted. First and most evidently, it ensures consistency in messaging and in look and feel, which is key to information recall and brand recognition. This builds a strong identity that stands out from the crowd and promotes a solid, clear brand voice, fostering a sense of familiarity and encouraging both adoption and promotion. In the background, it leads to greater flexibility and enhanced responsiveness, allowing to promptly refine communications based on customer and patient feedback. And last but not least, it gives our clients  the opportunity to save precious pots of money that can be shrewdly reallocated to accomplish more with a wider reach.  </p> <p>Our versatile approach not only grabs the attention of target audiences, but keeps them engaged, and can convert interest into advocacy, ultimately benefitting both medical and patient communities alike. </p> <p><strong>Consider adding modular content in your strategy!</strong></p> <p><strong>Find out more about how modular content can work for you, <strong><i>c</i>ontact </strong><a href="mailto:alana.zdinak@asandk.com"><strong>Alana.Zdinak@as</strong>andk.com</a> for a consultation today.</strong></p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Author name and role&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-author-name-and-role"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-author-name-and-role field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author name and role</div> <div class="field__item">Chiara Triulzi - Strategic Content Lead</div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Blog image&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-blog-image"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-blog-image field--type-image field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Blog image</div> <div class="field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/2020-10/asandk-blog-less_0.png" width="1140" height="712" alt="Modular content strategy for medical communications and pharma training" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-layout-content-preview-placeholder-label="&quot;Blog tags&quot; field" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodeas-k-blogfield-as-k-blog-tags"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field--name-field-as-k-blog-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Blog tags</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/52" hreflang="en">Engagement</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 13 Oct 2020 13:47:28 +0000 Beatrice 234 at https://cms.asandk.com