The Voice

Episode 152: Mastering Empathy, Strategy & Communication for Impactful Leadership with Shweta Munjal

In the latest episode of The Voice Podcast, IABC Ottawa hosts Anu Sharma and Aishwarya Chauhan engage in a discussion with Shweta Munjal, Chief Communications and CSR Officer at Glenmark Pharmaceuticals. With over 20 years of experience across sectors including tech, retail, FMCG, finance, and healthcare, Shweta brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique cross-sector perspective to the conversation. She shares insights into building impactful communication strategies, leading with empathy, and navigating the fast-paced, ever-evolving communications landscape. From discussing her career journey to unpacking the “three C’s” of effective communication—Clarity, Connection, and Consistency—Shweta offers valuable lessons for professionals at all stages of their careers. She emphasizes the power of story-listening, cultural intelligence, and authenticity, highlighting her favourite campaign, "Built by You”, a purpose-driven initiative centered on employee engagement and the power of authentic storytelling. As she reflects, 'True communication goes beyond messaging—it's about creating real meaning.'" Don’t miss this inspiring and practical conversation that will leave you thinking differently about leadership, empathy, and the future of our field. Listen now on your favourite podcast platform. Tune in now to elevate your communication skills! If you have any questions or feedback, reach out to us at vpdigital@ottawa.iabc.com.

Episode 151: "Bridging Barriers: Navigating Internal Communications for New Canadians"

In the latest episode of The Voice Podcast, IABC Ottawa host Anu Sharma explores theevolving world of internal communications with a focus on supporting new Canadianslooking to enhance their communication skills. They are joined by two distinguishedguests: Vaibhav Joshi, a consultant at Crestview Strategy, and Shruti Gupta, anexperienced professional across various industries including technology, software,retail, and First Nations utilities, and an active board member of IABC Manitoba.Together, Vaibhav and Shruti discuss the unique challenges faced by immigrantprofessionals, such as language barriers, cultural nuances, and the geopoliticalinfluences on their work. They also emphasize the importance of networking andmentorship. Shruti highlights the value of research, strategic thinking, and clearstorytelling, while Vaibhav encourages communicators to focus on presentation skills,clear diction, a strong elevator pitch, and simple, jargon-free writing.Listeners will also be introduced to a curated selection of recommended resources,including books, newsletters, blogs, and podcasts, to support their growth at every stageof their careers.Tune in now to elevate your communication skills! If you have any questions orfeedback, reach out to us at vpdigital@ottawa.iabc.com.

Episode 150: Mastering Internal Communications with Wemimo Onikan

Join IABC Ottawa hosts Anu Sharma and Aishwarya Chauhan as they explore the evolving world of internal communications in the latest episode of The Voice Podcast. In this insightful conversation, Wemimo Onikan, an expert with over 13 years of experience in internal and external communications, shares practical strategies for effectively engaging employees, measuring communication success and fostering a connected workplace culture. She highlights combining data-driven insights with qualitative feedback to create meaningful and impactful communication. Wemimo’s rich experience across the non-profit, public and private sectors enables her to offer valuable advice on elevating an organization’s mission through strategic internal communications and employee engagement. Besides, discover useful resources recommended by Wemimo to enhance your skills as a communicator, like Rachel Miller’s Candid Comms Podcast, Craig Smith’s Engage in Internal Comms and Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead audiobook. Listen to the episode filled with actionable tips, leadership lessons and inspiration for those looking to make a meaningful impact in internal communications. Click the link to tune in now! Have questions or feedback? Reach out to us at vpdigital@ottawa.iabc.com 

Episode 149: DEI in Focus: Indigenous Communications with Elizabeth Bunney

Join IABC Ottawa as hosts Anu Sharma and Aishwarya Chauhan explore the critical role of Indigenous communications in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Métis leader Elizabeth Bunney, with over 20 years of experience, shares insights on amplifying Indigenous voices, cultural sensitivity, and reconciliation. She also provides a helpful list of Indigenous terminology and recommends Kim Clark's podcast, "Communicate Like You Give A Damn." Tune in for inspiring communication practices and actionable tips for inclusivity. Share your feedback at vpdigital@ottawa.iabc.com.

Episode 148- Importance of Accessible and Inclusive Communications

In this episode, we will explore why inclusive and accessible communication is not just a goal but a transformative journey.  We are often immersed in the tangible aspects of our work, from project to project and client to client; the critical elements of ensuring our communication is truly accessible and inclusive can unintentionally take a backseat. This podcast serves as a deliberate pause—an intentional effort to bring these vital considerations to the forefront, encouraging us to make inclusivity an ingrained part of our daily communication practices.  We are joined by two inspiring guests making strides towards inclusive communications: Sacha Jackman⁠, Account Manager at Vision2Voice, and ⁠Sajandeep Johal⁠, Accessibility Tester at Indigenous Services Canada.