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The Essentials of a Career in Investor Relations...
Up Close & Virtual® interviews Linda Press, Senior Vice President at Pondel Wilkinson. Her background includes more than 15 years of financial, business, investor relations and corporate communications experience. She has consulted hundreds of companies, ranging from emerging growth to Fortune 500, on a wide variety of investor and public relations issues, from day-to-day strategies for enhancing shareholder value to crises, restructurings and IPOs. Ms. Press joins us to share her expertise. Read the interview..
Tell us briefly about your company, your area of expertise and responsibilities:
Founded in 1968, PondelWilkinson Inc. is a leading investor relations and corporate/financial communicatons firm that has earned a national reputation for innovative aggressive, professional service. PondelWilkinson has offices in Los Angeles, New York, Boston and Portland (OR).
In my role as an investor relations consultant, I advise senior management of publicly traded companies on issues such as achieving and maintaining maximum shareholder value through proactive communications with investors and Wall Street analysts. In my duel role as a financial and corporate communications consultant, I assist companies in obtaining financial and business media coverage, managing communications during a crisis, litigation or mergers, as well as creating or improving the corporate brochures and websites of professional and financial service firms.
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Describe a day in your professional life...
Both tasks and clients are diverse--from discussing the investment potential of my Fortune 1000 client with an institutional investor on Wall Street to drafting text for the brochure of a new boutique corporate law firm to pitching a story about my client’s recent earnings release to a financial reporter. It’s all about communicating financial and corporate information.
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How is technology impacting the nature of your work and how you do your work?
Web site content has become critical to investor relations as the best way to communicate with investors and analysts. On the financial/corporate communications side, Web sites are key to communicating during a crisis, attracting new clients, or improving corporate image. I work with all of my clients on Web site content and have input on design as well.
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Was there a lesson or skill learned from your first job that has been invaluable on your career path?
The most important skills in investor relations and financial communications are a strong understanding of Wall Street, finance, and financial journalism, along with well-honed writing and communications skills. As a consultant, business development and relationship-building become critical to advancing one’s career.
My first job was working on Wall Street for Salomon Brothers. It was a tough environment, but pushing myself in terms of responsibilities helped me to succeed.
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Has Higher Education been important in your career path? Tell us the path you took to where you are today.
Professionals in investor relations and financial/corporate communications come from a wide variety of backgrounds including Wall Street, accounting, finance, journalism, marketing, strategic planning, public relations and law. Educational backgrounds are just as diverse, but as a minimum require a bachelor’s degree in preferably business or economics. An MBA, CFA or Masters in Communications is additive. I parlayed my BS in accounting and work on Wall Street and in corporate finance into the investor relations field, and then took executive courses in business writing and public speaking to sharpen my communications skills.
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What is your work ethic, and how did it develop? What inspires you?
Work ethic is not about how many hours you put in at the office, but what you accomplish. I focus on work while at work and achieving results for my clients, or ways to generate new business for my firm such as creating new services or introducing our firm to potential clients.
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Essential skills for Investor Relations
Strong understanding of Wall Street, finance, and financial journalism .
Well-honed writing and communications skills.
Relationship building and business development. --Linda R. Press |
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What advice would you give to potential job applicants to help them succeed in the ever-changing global marketplace?
Pay attention to what’s going on in the business world. Religiously read business publications and Web sites, watch financial news, and get out there and meet business people through professional groups, alumni associations and social events.
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Do you have suggestions of any professional associations, trade journals, periodicals, events, etc. that someone pursuing a career in your field should be aware of or attend?
The National Investor Relations Institute and its magazine are helpful for learning about investor relations. The Public Relations Society of America is a good resource for those interested in financial or corporate communications.
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Strong Communications Skills Essential for Women in Business
"Many men in business immediately turn to the man at the conference room table instead of the woman--even if she’s senior. Women may have to be a bit more aggressive and prepared to speak up and take control of meetings to gain respect. Don’t be afraid to speak up or ask for what’s needed or what you deserve. And, don’t be afraid to actively network and develop your own business contacts." -- Linda R. Press |
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Are there any emerging trends in your industry/company that will impact your hiring criteria?
Computer skills are imperative at every level. A strong knowledge of disclosure requirements for public companies is essential for all but entry-level professionals.
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Tell us about your international business experience and what advice you’d have for those looking to work abroad?
My recent international experience includes calling upon portfolio managers and analysts in Europe and Asia to ascertain investment interest in one of our multinational publicly traded clients. Also, I was involved in a large M&A deal in which a Fortune 100 client bought a German- based company. Finally, I reached out to European journalists to introduce a client who is a financial and strategic advisor to the global entertainment industry. Understanding the target audience required that I simplify communications and add a global perspective to all materials and in my coversations. Global experience is a huge plus in today’s business world!
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Tell us about your Corporate Diversity/Women’s Programs:
While we are a small, boutique firm and have no official program in our office, diversity is strongly welcomed and encouraged.
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What challenges have you faced in business because you are a woman? Share your strategies for overcoming them.
Many men in business immediately turn to the man at the conference room table instead of the woman--even if she’s senior. Women may have to be a bit more aggressive and prepared to speak up and take control of meetings to gain respect. Don’t be afraid to speak up or ask for what’s needed or what you deserve. And, don’t be afraid to actively network and develop your own business contacts.
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What women have inspired you on your career path? How?
The women that have been the most inspirational to me push hard in their careers, but are also nurturing mothers, supportive wives, involved in their communities and physically active. Finding a way to do it all is a definite challenge to working mothers like me, and the few who manage balance, happiness, success and well-adjusted kids are truly inspirational.
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Advice for Job Seekers:
"Pay attention to what’s going on in the business world. Religiously read business publications and Web sites, watch financial news, and get out there and meet business people through professional groups, alumni associations and social events. "
--Linda R. Press |
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How do you maintain balance in your life? or Do you?!
My firm offers me flexibility in my work schedule, which helps tremendously in maintaining balance. I make the most of my time in the office by staying focused and organized. I have two young daughters--one and three years old--so I make sure that the time I spend with them in the evenings and on weekends is quality time. I get up at 5:30 AM each day to work out, and try to schedule time for my husband and me to do things together as well once every couple of weeks. After having my second child, I gave up my board seat on the Los Angeles Opera League, and involvement in the Center Theatre Group, but I try to attend a few productions each year. I also aim to fit in entertaining, play dates, and family events as much as possible.
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Tell us about your latest career-related project:
I recently formed the Network of Executive Women in Los Angeles (NEW-LA), a networking group for senior women executives. We have been successful thus far in achieving our goals of helping each other with business development and networking. I am currently speaking for the Financial Executives International on Crisis Communications: What Every CFO Should Know About Protecting Shareholder Value. I address recent case studies of Tyco, Martha Stewart and Arthur Andersen and provide practical advice to financial executives facing a crisis. A few months ago, I gave a similar presentation to the Global Association of Risk Professionals and it was well received. I have also lectured at UCLA Anderson MBA School and USC’s Annenberg School of Communications, Master’s Program.
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Share your Favorite Inspiration Quote or Words of Wisdom:
"Who cares that’s how things were always done--there is always a better way!"
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Thank you Linda R. Press for sharing your insights and experience!
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