Interactions
In order to capture the essence of the vision of a company, it is important to create a healthy listening environment that allows the expression of ideas and imagine what is possible now and into the future. Listening sessions are times for dreams to feel like a reality, capture the moment, and identify a pathway for success.
Once the vision is articulated, the short-term and long-term milestones are identified to reach those goals. In communications, it is identifying the audience and decision maker that will have an impact on the vision. In advising companies, the audience could be an investor, policy maker, reporter, or potential candidates. Working with the company to understand what that decision maker needs to support the vision is critical to moving forward.
Whether it’s an early stage startup, policy maker, or industry leader, many will come to me to for guidance on understanding the current trends in robotics startups. I have interacted with robotics companies across the country and have a vast understanding of different markets. In honesty, I have seen more failures than successes and I advise companies on the strategies that do not work to help avoid future failures. With policy makers, I am able to translate the startup mentality into connecting meaningful policy to meet the goals of both government and startup. Executives from across the country will reach out to understand the transformation around Pittsburgh robotics and how it can have impact in their organization.
Throughout my career in government, robotics, and public relations, I have grown a global network where I have become a resource for those looking to connect with robotics, policy makers, and journalists. I connect government officials with startups that can solve problems, startups with corporate partnerships and investors, and journalists with interesting stories. Building strong healthy relationships is a vital part of my role in this ecosystem that can become siloed. Becoming successful is developing the right relationships that can make the dream become a reality.
Jackie Erickson is a robotics-focused public relations and government affairs consultant based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After a decade of public policy experience including service as Southwestern Pennsylvania Regional Director for U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey Jr., Jackie chose to follow her passion for robotics, serving first as Director of Communications for Astrobotic Technology then founding a boutique consulting firm dedicated to telling the stories and advocating for the Pittsburgh robotics community. Jackie’s clients span sectors such as defense, logistics, health care, agriculture, and transportation. Jackie is the Pittsburgh robotics cluster representative for the Robotics Industry Association and is a founding member of the Pittsburgh Robotics Network.