What You’ll Learn Ian Cope at Grays Harbor PUD joined Utility Pioneers from across Washington at PUD Day on the Hill. As an elected official himself, he shares the best storytelling prompts to keep government officials engaged in your story. Guest Speaker Ian Cope Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity or readability. […]
What You’ll Learn Want to help consumers feel comfortable with broadband possibilities? Build co-op living rooms in your community! Crystal Johnson-Smith, of Prince George Electric, shares how her co-op turned ideas from the past into education opportunities for her community’s future. Guest Speaker Crystal Johnson-Smith Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and […]
ChatGPT, Bard and other artificial intelligence bots continue to make headlines. Hear what Utility Pioneers think of the new tools and how AI could impact your job.
What You’ll Learn After Lorri Freeman asked members for valentines, her co-op was overwhelmed by more than 500 handmade and heartfelt valentine cards. She shares this idea and other ways utilities can celebrate staff throughout the year. Guest Speaker Lorri Freeman Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production […]
Meet Elaya Walker. As an assistant traffic manager, Elaya and the rest of Pioneer's behind-the-scenes production team keep communication projects moving to meet deadlines. Off the clock, she helps people strengthen personal stories as a life coach. She shares how a love of travel and journaling help tell her story.
What do a university, true crime, motivational videos, farmers and the news have in common? Stories. Storytellers from other industries are a key feature of StoryConnect, Pioneer’s annual conference designed to help communicators at rural broadband providers, telcos and electric utilities discover and refine their corporate storytelling skills. The full lineup of speakers for StoryConnect […]
What You’ll Learn Robin Conover, one of the featured speakers at this year’s StoryConnect Conference, will lead a set of photography sessions as part of a new storytelling skills track. As shorter attention spans increase the importance of pictures in storytelling, we ask the retired VP of communications at the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association for […]
The first bill for electricity — a whopping $50.40 — was paid to Edison Electric Light Company 140 years ago this week on Jan. 18, 1883. A decade later, people were still not convinced electricity doesn’t impact sleep or make you sick. We pull three story-sharing ideas from the past to help you reach today’s consumers.
At StoryConnect, rural telco and electric utility communicators swap stories, share inspiration and connect with peers. Never been? Discover some of the sessions and networking opportunities featured this spring, and learn three ways the conference supports your storytelling skills and strengthens your peer network, too.
Pioneer utility storytellers Mike Teegarden and Megan McKoy-Noe shared ideas to help strengthen your storytelling in this recorded webinar from Jan. 12, 2023. They refer a few times to Pioneer’s content planning calendar. You can download a digital version at pioneer.coop/2023contentplanner. Want a printed version? Email your name and address to hello@pioneer.coop and we’ll send […]
ChatGPT, Jasper and other writing bots are making headlines. How will artificial storytellers impact the perceived value of utility communicators? I found four features which could help strengthen your content (as long as you stay in control).
We’re celebrating Pioneer Senior Editor Pam Blair's storied career by marking how she strengthened stories and supported utility storytellers. She shares the importance of human connections, why she designs story experiences and how to build a career with curiosity.
