Christopher Trotman is a passionate communications professional who firmly believes in the power of communication to make positive change. Trotman views an organization’s communication department as its eyes, ears, and mouth. Effective communicators can keep leaders informed of industry trends. They create and amplify messaging that pushes forward a business’s strategic plan and, more importantly, keeps the organization relevant in ways that build trust among its stakeholders.
Christopher joined the IABC as a student seeking access to networking and professional development opportunities. As an independent communication professional, Christopher looks to the IABC to provide opportunities to interact socially with a diverse network of communication professionals. Furthermore, membership in IABC is a must for any communication practitioner who wants to grow professionally. And above all, it is invaluable for meeting new people. During COVID, whether one was an independent practitioner or remote worker, separating from one’s colleagues was isolating. Yet, IABC/Toronto purposely created great occasions to stay connected.
Christopher graduated from the University of Windsor with a major in communications studies and a minor in philosophy, followed by completing a post-graduate certificate in Corporate Communications Management from Seneca College. Christopher’s communication career began in financial communications, followed by a short stint working with technology companies. Today, Christopher is the Owner and Principal Consultant for Christopher Communications. A boutique communications agency that works with not-for-profit organizations to foster healthier communities. Christopher Communications’ services range from media management to strategic planning, development, and implementation assistance. Christopher’s primary focus is stakeholder engagement and messaging.
For Christopher, every workday is different. While Christopher prioritizes and provides direct counsel on clients’ business development and strategy, his team of professionals takes care of the client day-to-day communication tactics.
Christopher emphasizes that hands down, the best part of the job is the opportunity to speak with a client’s community members. These conversations allow Christopher to authentically document and communicate an organization’s impact on its community.
As for the future, Christopher predicts communicators need to prepare for an increased reliance on data-informed decision-making and, by extension, an increased reliance on technology and automation. This change will push communication professionals to become more strategically focused and adept at selecting, collecting, and interpreting communications KPIs (key performance indicators) that inform a company’s decision-making.
Recently, Christopher was hired as the Senior Communications Advisor for Partners Community Health. He sits on the Board of Young and Potential Fathers. He volunteers with the International Association of Business Communicators as a Co-Director of Programming with the Professional Independent Communicators Group.
In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven market, communication practitioners need to be prepared for a sinuous career path. Christopher’s communication career was anything but linear. While his career started in financial communications, he spotted an advertisement for Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services. The job sounded interesting; he applied on a whim and got the position.
Soon Christopher found himself marrying his financial communications background with the needs of not-for-profit organizations. A symbiotic relationship of talents allowed Christopher to use his communication competencies to assist not-for-profit organizations in communicating more effectively and efficiently to archive their mission. That’s a win-win situation for all parties.
Instagram / Twitter: @SeeTrotman
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