The Future of Work is Community (with a touch of AI) - with Ashley Dennison

Over the last few years, at least since 2020, in the marketing and communications professions, remote work has become more of the norm than the exception. Connections between and among co-workers remain predominantly digital or virtual, and so many of us fitted out our home offices with comfy ergonomic chairs, standing desks, recording gear, balance boards, and all kinds of tchotchkes. Then, when the economy started to turn, and our jobs started to disappear, we figured, well, we've got the home setup, we've got the years of remote work experience, so starting our own "thing" wouldn't be so scary. But as it turns out, being alone can get pretty lonely. We benefit tremendously from interacting with peers and feeling like someone's got our back. We want people we can reach out to for information, mentorship, and support. It sounds like we want - and maybe need - community. Is community the future of work? In this episode of The Trending Communicator, host Dan Nestle sits down with strategic communications and PR consultant-turned-entrepreneur Ashley Dennison, the founder and CEO of CommsConsultants.com, to discuss the changing landscape of communications consulting and the power of community in the age of AI. Join Dan and Ashley as they navigate the world of independent communications consulting, examining the challenges and opportunities that come with this career path. From the loneliness of solo entrepreneurship to the strength found in professional communities, this episode offers a candid look at the realities of modern consulting work. Ashley shares her journey in creating CommsConsultants.com, a global directory of pre-vetted communications and marketing consultants. The conversation touches on the importance of specialization, admitting what you don't know, and the critical role of building relationships in the consulting world. The episode dives into the impact of AI on the communications industry, discussing the scramble to understand and adopt new technologies. Ashley and Dan examine the readiness of consultants to meet future challenges and the need for continuous learning in a rapidly changing field. A key focus of the discussion is the ongoing struggle to position strategic communications as a business imperative. Ashley offers a thought-provoking call to action for communications professionals to unite and demonstrate their value to C-suite executives. Whether you're a seasoned consultant or considering the leap into independent work, this episode provides valuable insights into the future of communications consulting. Don't miss this engaging conversation about community, technology, and the evolving nature of strategic communications. Listen in and hear about... Community as the future of work for communications consultants Challenges and opportunities in the evolving landscape of independent consulting The power of authenticity and imperfection in professional communication Balancing AI adoption with core communication skills in the consulting world Strategies for positioning oneself as a valuable resource in a competitive market The ongoing struggle to establish strategic communications as a business imperative Adapting to change and embracing curiosity in the face of technological advancements Notable Quotes On the Value of Consultants: "How could you possibly ever be short of client volume when there are so many opportunities out there?" - Ashley Dennison [04:14 → 04:21] On Networking and Karma: "I totally do that. And I am always 100% sure that at some point in the future, right, there will be a... I'm not gonna say a reward, right. But I will say that there will, there will be a, A karmic sense of goodness happening from that." - Dan Nestle [53:09 → 53:27] The Importance of Specialization: "If you want to commit to your path of specialty, where you truly are an expert, you have to at the same time be willing to say, and all of these other areas are not my expertise, but I know people who can do those things for you. Let me connect you." - Ashley Dennison [56:38 → 56:51] On the Future of Communications: "Until we come forward with a solution to that problem and we all stand behind it, I think that our, our profession and our value and our voice is going to shrink and shrink and shrink. Not to end on a sad note, but that's the call to action I would like to leave people with." - Ashley Dennison [1:11:09 → 1:11:33] The Indispensability of Communications Consultants: "The necessity, the indispensability of advisors, of trusted advisors who are courageous and who are able to put it, put connect dots, put everything together and convey, nay, communicate the ideas that will move and propel a business forward are absolutely golden for the future." - Dan Nestle [1:11:33 → 1:11:55] Resources and Links Dan Nestle Inquisitive Communications | Website The Trending Communicator | Website Communications Trends from Trending Communicators | Dan Nestle's Substack Dan Nestle | LinkedIn Dan Nestle | Twitter/X Ashley Dennison Ashley Dennison | LinkedIn CommsConsultants Website Timestamped key moments from this episode (as generated by Fireflies.ai) 🎤 Community and Collaboration (00:14 - 02:22) Daniel Nestle expresses excitement about his new journey in consulting and the importance of community among consultants. Ashley Dennison's role as the founder of commsconsultants.com is highlighted, emphasizing the platform's focus on connecting clients with vetted communications professionals. 🤝 Networking and Support (02:30 - 08:25) Daniel shares his experience from a recent Zoom meeting with the comms consultants community, noting the eagerness to share advice and support. Ashley discusses the creation of the Comms Consulting Collective on LinkedIn, a networking group aimed at providing resources and support for consultants. 📊 Value of Choice in Consulting (08:26 - 12:57) Ashley emphasizes the importance of having choice over projects for consultants, advocating for autonomy in selecting clients and work. Daniel and Ashley discuss the misconception of competition among consultants, stressing the abundance of opportunities in the market. 🔍 Disruption of Traditional Models (12:58 - 20:41) Ashley critiques the traditional recruitment model, highlighting how commsconsultants.com differs by not taking a cut of consultant fees. Daniel reflects on his past experiences in recruitment and the challenges of finding suitable freelance work. 🌐 AI and Future of Communications (20:42 - 30:37) Daniel raises concerns about the readiness of communications professionals to adapt to AI advancements. Ashley acknowledges a gap in AI literacy among consultants, emphasizing the need for curiosity and adaptability in the face of technological change. 💡 Courage and Authenticity in Communication (30:38 - 39:10) Both Daniel and Ashley discuss the importance of being authentic and courageous in communications, especially in a landscape filled with polished content. They agree that realness and rawness resonate more with audiences than overly curated messages. 📈 Strategic Importance of Communications (39:11 - 45:05) Ashley stresses the need for communications to be recognized as a critical business function that directly impacts profitability. Daniel echoes this sentiment, citing the importance of measurement in demonstrating the value of communications efforts. 🔑 Call to Action for the Communications Community (45:06 - 55:10) Ashley challenges the communications community to reflect on why strategic communications have struggled to be seen as essential. She emphasizes the need for united action to elevate the profession and ensure its relevance in the evolving business landscape. 🌟 Future Outlook and Final Thoughts (55:11 - 1:10:14) Ashley expresses concern that without proactive measures, the communications profession may continue to shrink and be relegated to a reactive role. Daniel concludes by reinforcing the importance of trusted advisors in communications and the potential for growth in the consulting space. Both agree on the necessity of adaptability and collaboration for future success in the field.  Timestamps for your convenience (as generated by Flowsend.ai) 0:00 Intro 2:32 CommsConsultants.com: A global directory of vetted communications consultants 8:25 The Comms Consulting Collective: Large LinkedIn networking group 15:50 AI adoption in communications: Consultants scrambling to understand and master 21:36 Imperfect content on LinkedIn: Driving more authentic engagement 29:36 Future of work and communications: Challenges faced by industry leaders 38:31 Strategic communications: Critical for business profitability and growth 45:07 AI in communications: Potential to prove value to executives 56:52 Specialization in consulting: Focusing on core expertise areas 1:05:45 Measurement in communications: Proving value to C-suite leaders 1:11:33 Call to action: Uniting to elevate the communications profession   (Notes co-created by Human Dan and a variety of AI helpers, including Fireflies.ai and Flowsend.ai)