Pamala Proverbs, Managing Director at the communications consultancy, PRMR Inc has earned the Accredited Business Communicator (ABC) designation from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).
In order to become accredited, a candidate must demonstrate the ability to plan, direct, implement and evaluate a broad range of communication programs in practical, real-life situations. Proverbs has shown an understanding of the philosophy of organizational communication and the role of the professional communicator in assisting today’s organizations with meeting their goals and objectives. She received the ABC designation by successfully completing IABC’s Executive Accreditation Seminar (EAS), held in Victoria, British Columbia, last September.
Proverbs continues to distinguish herself in the public relations field as she becomes the only local practitioner with the ABC designation and adds this to her accomplishment of being the first and only local practitioner with an accreditation in public relations from the Public Relations Society of America. Proverbs joins a select group of international practitioners with both designations. She also holds an MBA from the University of Surrey and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications from the University of the West Indies. Proverbs is currently the President of IABC Barbados
IABC’s accreditation process measures the strategic abilities and technical skills of a communicator. The EAS is an intensive six-day program for senior-level communicators, offered in partnership with Royal Roads University in Victoria. The seminar combines an elegant and efficient pathway to accreditation with a leadership development curriculum that recognizes the experience, responsibilities and strategic intelligence of the senior-level practitioner. After successful completion of the pre-seminar work assignment and the various rigorous elements of the accreditation process offered during the seminar, the candidate receives the ABC designation.
“This is the global standard for organizational communication professionals around the world,” said Mary Hills, ABC, chair of the IABC accreditation council. “Through this process of application, portfolio preparation and examination, Proverbs’ work and communication acumen have been reviewed and evaluated by at least eight peers to determine if she meets that standard. It is a professional accomplishment that she has met the standard, but moreover it is a personal statement about the value she brings to a workplace.”
“We see accreditation as an integral part of IABC’s commitment to the education of its members and the development of the profession in general. The accreditation program is a gateway to learning and advancing the practice of strategic communication management,” said IABC President Julie Freeman, ABC, APR. “Research confirms the value of accreditation to both individuals and employers, providing credibility to our members and the profession.”
In a recent study of ABCs in seven countries, a large majority of the respondents said that becoming accredited improved their résumés, increased their confidence, enhanced their credibility and gave them peer approval and recognition. A majority of current and former supervisors who participated in the study said ABCs provided more credibility to their departments or organizations, while a majority of clients perceived ABCs as having an increased understanding of effective communication practices.
There are more than 900 accredited business communicators throughout the world. For more information about IABC accreditation, visit www.iabc.com/abc.
About IABC
The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) is a global network of communication professionals committed to improving organizational effectiveness through strategic communication. Established in 1970, IABC serves more than 15,000 members in over 90 countries. For more information, visit http://www.iabc.com.
