As cliché as it sounds, there’s no such thing as a typical day when you’re working in the fast-paced environment of communications. This is particularly true when operating within the healthcare space at a time where the pandemic has put a spotlight on the sector. Here’s an insight into what a day could look like at Consilium, based on my experience as an Associate:
06.45am: A quick emails check is followed by a slog to the gym where I’m joined by two of my colleagues for a workout. Our commute consists of a relaxed wander across London Bridge to the office via Tesco for an emergency energy boost.
08.45am: Once set up at a desk (there’s no formal seating plan so we ‘hot desk’), I check my calendar, to-do list and inbox. As routine, I scan through my allotted media publication for relevant articles published this morning. Spotting an insightful commentary piece on the status of the cell and gene therapy field, I forward this to all consultants and to my clients working within this area before scrolling through other trade and national articles shared from across the team.
09.00am: I join my colleague in greeting the CEO of one of our clients in the lobby and introduce them to one of our videographer contacts to film a video for their website and social media channels. The building offers the perfect backdrop and, once they get started, I leave the client in safe hands and go back to my desk to prep for a call.
09.30am: Our weekly client catch-up today follows a slightly different path as we focus our attention on a significant piece of news coming out this week. We talk through last minute details and, with all materials signed off, we are ready to start reaching out to media under embargo. We end the call and I continue to check in with the client team throughout the day with updates.
10.00am: Having been given the green light to speak to media, I begin outreach to our top Europe-based journalist targets. I’m pleased to receive a few positive responses for interviews with the CEO and CSO of the client, which I schedule in. I review actions drafted by the account executive on the team, delegating as needed, and circulate to the team.
10.30am: I take our new joiner out for coffee to the newly opened café across the street. We chat about our backgrounds and roles at Consilium and compare our favourite eating spots in London. After hearing her appointed client list, I make a note to look for opportunities for her to learn on those we share.
11.00am: Back in the office, I check off a few tasks from my to-do list and respond to an incoming request for a last-minute LinkedIn post for a client.
11.30am: I jump on an internal call to brainstorm ideas of media we should be briefing and introducing to one of our newer clients. Once I receive the notes from the account executive on the client team, I check the list is complete and flag for them to be added to the agenda for our next call.
12:00pm: Those of us in the office congregate in the meeting room for one of our regularly scheduled interactive ‘lunch and learn’ sessions. This one is hosted by our co-founder and managing partner Mary-Jane and fuelled by Pret sandwiches. Once those at home have dialled in, MJ delivers an overview of the IPO process, pointing to recent client examples, highlighting key milestones, and emphasising how we, as a company, use communications strategically to support this process and reach priority audiences at each stage.
12.25pm: I excuse myself from the L&L to meet a journalist for lunch. We discuss her areas of interest and expertise and how we can best work with her to ensure we’re putting forward the right stories for her to cover. I follow this with a quick walk around the block to get some fresh air. Once back at my desk, I send a summary of our meeting to the wider team, highlighting which topics might be suitable for pitching and how best to approach.
2.00pm: Now that the US has woken up, it’s time to revisit media outreach and approach our US-based contacts. Working with the client team to book in several interviews for tomorrow, we then divvy up who will attend which based on availability. As journalist briefing notes come through from the account executive on the team, I review and pass them on to the CEO ahead of the media calls. These documents are useful for clients, providing a succinct summary of the journalist, publication, and aims of the call in advance of interviews.
2.30pm: After a busy morning, I’m able to set aside some time to concentrate on larger writing tasks. I prioritise a draft corporate presentation, which I review ensuring the company’s key messages are accurately reflected in the deck and I suggest a new structure to enhance flow. Happy with the updated version, I pass it on to the lead on the account for their input.
3.55pm: The team gathers for a teach-in session I’m hosting on social media while I double check which points I’m to cover. I use this time to remind everyone of the importance of tone of voice and use of tags/hashtags and present some creative ways in which to repurpose content. This is followed by an informal Q&A which encompasses strategy, analytics, and client-specific examples.
4.25pm: Jumping back into client work, I revisit the key messages document for one of our newer clients, incorporating feedback from a tactical face-to-face meeting held last week centered on strategy and messaging. I join a call with the rest of the internal client team to go through some comments and then tidy up the document further and send over.
5.15pm: Time for a quick break in the kitchen to make some teas and, of course, grab a snack from the tuck box!
5.30pm: I dial into a rehearsal webcast for a client who will be hosting an online event for analysts later in the week. There are no major hiccups, and we check the panelist vs attendee functions until we’re all feeling confident for the big day!
6.10pm: After updating my to-do list and checking all emails have been responded to, it’s time to log off for the day. A few of us head to a local pub for food and a couple of drinks. Amongst other things, we reflect on the funniest moments from our company-wide dinner last week and make plans to meet up again next week.
10.00pm: I head home and end the day sat in front of ‘The Office’ with my flat mate, planning a packed itinerary of activities for a friend’s upcoming visit to London.
