Database Reference
In-Depth Information
for proper signatures and dates, include any outstanding balance, and you are good to go! Anything above and
beyond the items within the sign-off document can be compiled as a checklist for version 2.
Announcing the Release
One of the biggest problems that can occur within a company when a new BI solution is released is resistance to
change. This resistance comes from suspicion that the changes will be more of a hindrance than a help. Informing
the company's employees of the changes that are coming with the release of the BI solution can be very helpful in
this situation. For larger companies, this can be accomplished in an official manner with a press release.
The benefits of writing a press release are twofold. You give your team credibility, and you get the users on
board with the new changes. A good press release can break through the resistance and have users anticipating
what is up-and-coming rather than fighting it.
A good press release will include the following:
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A strong title that piques interest
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The announcement of what is about to happen
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How it benefits everyone
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Two quotes from key people of importance who support the changes (this is optional, but
it helps support the changes and can generate excitement)
•
A boilerplate (fine text) at the bottom that includes your company contact information
The Press Release Title
Many of the news articles you read online when browsing the Internet are written in press release format. A good
press release will always have a good title. If the title does not catch your interest, you won't click it to see what it
is all about. Additionally, the title should be short. This is particularly true when it is displayed on a website that
has limited space for title links.
Your title should be something that catches your client's employee's attention. This will be different for every
company. If you find you are at a loss for ideas, you are not alone. Coming up with a good title is often the hardest
part of writing a press release. Some companies that publish many press releases on a regular basis hire someone
other than the original author to write snappy titles. This is evidenced when a news article is published originally
with one title but the title is changed within 24 hours of publication and you find yourself clicking it again not
realizing you have read it. Tricky? Maybe. But the purpose is to improve the article by changing the title rather
than to trick you.
That's the good news. If you don't like your title, it can always be changed later, or you can let someone else
title it for you.
For our example BI solution press release, we might title it something very simple yet informative, like
“Publication Industries Revamps Ordering System,” or something flashier, like “Publication Industries Computer
System Is About to Get Better!” If we were very limited on space, we might simply title it “Upcoming Software
Changes,” although that title doesn't exactly get people excited.
If it is announced on the company website, sometimes you have room for a small blurb about what those
changes may be next to the link. But keep the details in the press release body, rather than in the breadcrumbs
that lead them to it.
The Press Release Body
The announcement body should be nothing more than facts that matter without a lot of hype or hot air about how
good you are. Press releases are short. They should it on one page or be fewer than 400 words if it is web based.
