Session was a little like a box of chocolates; you never knew what you were going to get. A little overused? Maybe, but an accurate description of the 2021/2022 budget session of the Indiana General Assembly. You were afraid to open the box, let alone bite into a chocolate ... you might get the nasty one with an unidentifiable filling, much like many of the bills and their amendments. However, in this case, there was no running away. In fact, if you did, something was (without a doubt) going to jump up and bite you. 
 
As a lobbyist, this was a bad year to start in the business. With mostly virtual options for meetings at the start, the work being done happened via already established relationships, cell phones and text messages. As session moved on day-to-day and vaccines were more prevalent, in-person meetings started to take place and some form of the normal we knew returned, at least by a percentage.
 
To add to the abnormal session, lawmakers passed HB 1372 which allows them to recess, leaving the official end of session mid-November 2021. This additional time allows them to adjourn without special session processes with the goal of addressing redistricting, which will be its own political circumstance. However, Forrest taught us one thing, “What’s normal anyways?”
 
The success rate of session is in step with previous years. The Senate had an overall success rate of 24 percent, while the House had an overall success rate of 20 percent. Just over 1000 bills were filed and only 220 made it to sine die. One thing about session remained the same: there were winners and losers, and shrimping is tough.
 
So, what’s in store for the future of our state? The big news … the budget. That’s typically the talk, but this year more than others. With $3 billion in federal funding attached, lawmakers passed a two-year, $37 billion budget. The budget includes $500 million for a new regional economic development program, $250 million for broadband expansion grants and $160 million for water infrastructure grants. Indiana was successful in the federal allocations, but the investment isn’t from a fruit company. I wish it was. One less thing.
 
So, what do we do with this information? Be prepared to compete for resources to make our clients and communities better. Stay grounded and keep the magic shoes on both feet, keep our heads on a swivel and work harder, and harder.
 
“Now, you wouldn’t believe me if I told you, but I could run like the wind blows. From that day on, if I was goin’ somewhere, I was runnin’!” –Forrest Gump
 
The RJL team has their magic shoes on and we don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

Indiana-based Government Affairs and Strategic Communications firm, RJL Solutions, has expanded their Marketing team with Creative Design Manager, Kris Toney. 

“Kris holds a wealth of knowledge that will be spent elevating our professional profile, and meeting our client’s needs,” states Shelby Harruff, Director of Marketing. “Her attention to detail and skill set far exceed expectations and will serve our team well. She is an invaluable asset.” 

Toney brings to the table six years of impressive graphic design and website development experience and a passion for her community. A graduate of the University of Evansville, Toney began her professional career at International Label MFG (Midwest Printing) as a graphic designer. There she designed, proofed and lead projects for a variety of clients. 

At RJL, Toney’s talents will be used to head the development of various print and digital design projects. Her background in design programs like Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop will serve the RJL Solutions team well as marketing trends change. Her drive to succeed comes from her desire to be an inspiration and role model for her family.  

“I want to be a positive influence for my younger family members. Creativity, hard work and focus truly pays off,” states Toney. “I am ready to expand my portfolio and help clients reach their full brand potential. I am grateful to RJL Solutions for this unique opportunity to make a difference in my community.” 

RJL Solutions is thrilled to add Toney to the team and see the impact her talent will surely have on the company. 

Two talented forces join RJL Solutions, an Indiana-based Government Affairs and Communications firm. Rose Holtrey (Content Strategist) and Lily Pesavento (Communications Coordinator) bring a creative essence to the firm and are backed by diverse experiences. 

​“Both Rose and Lily are what I would consider ‘the cream of the crop,’ each with fresh ideas and extremely well-rounded portfolios,” states Shelby Harruff, Director of Digital Marketing. “Marketing is ever-growing and ever-changing. Lily and Rose equip our team to stay on top of trend even more and expand our digital marketing and public relations services to our clients.”

​RJL Solutions looks forward to the impact the two hires have.

​During the 15th Annual Indiana INTERNnet Impact Awards, RJL Solutions, alongside notable Indiana companies, was recognized as Indiana INTERNnet’s for-profit employer of the year. The Impact Awards, presented by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, celebrates internship excellence within the state, understanding experiential learning is a key strategy for retaining Indiana’s top talent.  
 
“I had the privilege of being RJL's first intern and now I have the opportunity to work one-on-one with each of our interns as head of the program. Leadership is an integral value at RJL Solutions. Our internship program is designed to support industry related studies, but most importantly, it's designed to create emerging leaders who are well equipped to take on the workforce,” states Anna Madden, Director of Strategic Communications.  
 
RJL Solutions founded its internship program in 2018 because its headquarters was strategically located in Terre Haute, a city consisting of four higher education institutions. Wanting to capitalize on what schools were offering within their curriculum, the company hoped to provide additional value to the students, the institutions and the community as a whole. Today, the company has expanded its services to a downtown Indianapolis-based office where it serves clients from across the state and beyond.  
 
“I believe to better our communities, our state and our nation, we must work together to mentor and offer opportunities to our emerging leaders,” states Rachel Leslie, CEO. “From our first intern, Anna Madden, and beyond, we’ve seen them already make significant, positive impacts in society. Those impacts will make lasting impressions that we’ll be witnessing for some time. I’m thankful to the Indiana Chamber, the Indiana INTERNnet program, their staff and volunteers, and those who were nominated alongside us, for believing in a shared mission.”  
 
Interns at RJL participate in weekly professional development workshops, engage with and are mentored by RJL team members and present a final project presentation at the end of their tenure. Overall, interns are each given real-world and high-level projects to work on, generating an added sense of professionalism, responsibility and trust.   
 
“Our program would not be successful without the institutions who provide the best students, and of course, our interns who continuously bring a unique spark, perspectives and personality to our team each and every semester,” states Madden. “Thank you, Indiana INTERNnet, for recognizing RJL Solutions and our interns.”  
 
RJL Solutions is looking forward to continuing its internship program throughout the state and expand its reach for Hoosier students. To learn more about our internship program, visit www.rjlsolutions.com/internships.html.   

Data, Upcoming Trends and Advice on Planning Your Marketing for 2021 ​
An update from Anna Madden, RJL Solutions

Even after a year that was unplanned, it is still advised to look at upcoming trends both in your industry and in the world to plan a year with new goals to help your end-user. Data will become an essential means in helping you make decisions on how to find your end-user during the pandemic. Additionally, this will help you “do more with less”. Data is your best friend. When I say data, that’s the information that came back from surveys, the data you find through your website and social media analytics, as well as your newsletters. Together, we turned digital this year, so you’ll be surprised through your digital efforts this coming year by how much data you already have on hand to make your future marketing decisions for 2021. RJL Solutions is here to help you access this data, analyze it and provide you recommendations on how to move forward as well as how to keep your consumer data protected.  ​

In addition to great marketing advice, the AMA conference provided great data from 2020 and wonderfully explained what the data means and how to use it. 95% of Business to Business (B2B) marketers use content marketing. This is “because content works!” 47% of buyers/consumers viewed 3-6 pieces of content before engaging with a sales representative. Additionally, “70% of internet users want to learn about products through content rather than through traditional advertisements,” states Sitecore, AMA conference guest speaker. This great data means that you should invest in your organic (non-paid) content that you create and push out through your online channels. Planning great, relevant social media content, newsletters and videos as well as updating your website regularly is very important to focus on in 2021. “Rather than customers making an informed decision courtesy of a sales representative’s knowledge, your customers rely on content (both digital and physical copies) to give them the information they need,” states Lucidpress.  Modern-day consumers like to explore products in a more “relaxed” sales environment.  ​

Marketing is a forever changing, demanding and challenging industry. We know! We live it every day! Just know you don’t have to attempt marketing your company on your own. RJL Solutions is here to help you sift through your data, find your clientele and boost your brand on all of your digital channels. We might even be able to introduce you to your clientele through new channels that weren’t possible before!  ​

Another uniquely talented individual joins the team at RJL Solutions as the firm’s Government Relations Coordinator. Ryan Ritchie hit the ground running Monday morning at the firm’s Indianapolis office where he will be an added asset to the firm’s growing advocacy team. Ritchie brings robust knowledge, understanding and connections in policy and governmental affairs including his most recent employment opportunities at the Indiana Senate, the United States Congress and The White House.   
  
"Ryan joins the team with an array of knowledge. His extensive understanding of federal initiatives and how they directly impact local and state municipalities and organizations will allow our team to ensure our clients are taking advantage of every opportunity," states Andrianna Hji-Avgoustis, Director of Government Relations. "Ryan's skill-set is certainly a competitive edge and we are happy to have him working alongside us."   
  
Ritchie will work directly with RJL’s clients by providing analyst level support, coordinating legislative efforts by working with state, local and federal government officials and legislators, and implementing strategic high-level initiatives through policy development, relationship-building and intentional partnerships.   
  
“I am deeply honored to join the RJL Solutions Government Relations division. Advocating and finding solutions for issues on the state and federal level has long been a passion of mine,” states Ritchie. “I look forward to working alongside the talented team at RJL Solutions to serve our clients’ needs.”  
  
Ritchie earned his bachelor’s degree from Ball State University and is currently earning his Master of Public Affairs (MPA) from Indiana University. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, attempting new recipes, and reading non-fiction works.  

RJL Solutions, an Indiana government relations and communications firm specializing in an array of consultation services, onboards 3 new student interns for the spring 2021 semester. Tonya Dinkins, Maddy Hensley and Delaney Kendall each bring diverse skillsets, robust experiences and a unique flare to the RJL Solutions team and internship program.

As the firm’s Advocacy and Government Relations Interns, Hensley and Dinkins are tasked with providing supplemental support to the RJL Solutions advocacy department. With the 2021 legislative session in full swing, Hensley and Dinkins are immersed in policy and industry research, client communications and political happenings in and around the state legislature.

Dinkins, a Political Science major at Indiana State University, is passioned with writing and policy analysis. Her previous internship experiences at the U.S. Congress – House of Representatives and Indiana GOP have heightened her political drive and legislative knowledge.

Hensley is obtaining a degree in Communication – Public Relations at Indiana State University. Her past internship experiences and tenure as Student Body President elevates Hensley’s innate ability to lead and facilitate high-level conversations.

Kendall joins the RJL team as the Marketing and Design Intern where she will delve into content creation and planning for RJL and its clients through social media, SEO, web and video design and other digital marketing platforms while analyzing digital relevance and account trends. Kendall is a student athlete at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and is studying Business Administration.

“Each semester, we partner with our local higher institutions to offer some of our region’s best and talented students an internship opportunity,” states Anna Madden, Director of Strategic Communications and head of the internship program. “Our program is designed to provide our interns with a unique, hands-on and experiential learning experience. We hope that through our program, they find a deeper appreciation for their craft and find added skills and confidence to better prepare themselves for the workforce. We are grateful to have these three on board.”

Anwyn Payonk, Communications Associate, continues her extended internship experience this semester as an integral part of the RJL Solutions team.

To operate a thriving business, the relationships within it must be solid and rooted in authenticity. At RJL Solutions, that is something we pride ourselves in maintaining. When I talk about the relationships within a business, I mean everything. From the relationships with coworkers to those we have with our clients; we must cultivate authentic conversations that create safe environments that allow for everyone to be heard. This, to me, is customer service.

As RJL’s Chief Operating Officer, I’ve learned firsthand how important relationships are to the success of our customer service. Through my position, I’ve been fortunate enough to get to know our clients personally and build relationships based on trust. These connections developed through good customer service are imperative for a business to grow and succeed. You can offer the best service in the world, but without customer service and individualized communication, it won’t matter.

In 2019, Forbes examined just how essential customer service is for a business. They found that 96% of customers find a company’s customer service an important decider in their loyalty to an organization. In fact, Forbes cited customer service as the top reason clients will choose to leave or discontinue business with a company. If your clients don’t feel appreciated and heard, their loyalty to your business won’t last. Retention and keeping those valued relationships among clients are incredibly important for a growing business. Companies that provide good customer service are five times more likely to have clients purchase from then again and keep their business (Forbes). But it’s not just returning customers that cite customer service as important. Forbes found that brands with higher customer service ratings will bring in 5.7 times more revenue than their competitors who are unable to provide superior customer service experiences. The way you treat clients directly shows them how the company operates and the morals in which they are built on. It tells your clients whether or not they should trust you, do business with you and continue their relationships with your business and its employees.

Customer service strengthens your business and provides all employees the opportunity to grow both within their professional and personal lives. At RJL, our relationship with our clients aids our employees as they gain feedback and continue to better themselves. While customer service can be viewed as a social skill, all it takes is the ability to connect and be open. Excellent service doesn’t come from the chattiest, funniest or most outgoing team member, it comes from an employee and a team who strive to get to know their clients and promote growth. Forbes argues that companies with excellent customer service have employees who are 1.5 times more engaged with them than other organizations. Treating your clients well can empower employees to do better. This attitude opens dialogue for honest evaluations and feelings to be shared. Employees are then able to learn the ways they are impacting the company and the community they serve. Through customer service and honest relationships with clients, a business and its employees can visualize their needs to become better for their clients and their community.

This unique year has taught businesses a lot about their interactions with those they serve. When moving to digital formats, in-person interactions were almost impossible as customer service became exclusively digital. It created a new challenge as many found it harder to connect through a screen. Sitting through meetings with endless lags and constant connectivity issues felt like a bridge that made it impossible to connect with clients and to inspire positive environments. It became even more important to emphasize the relationships built upon good customer service and continue to provide high level attention and detail through digital relationships. When your customer service is rooted in authenticity and a genuine want to help those you work with, the relationships can survive and thrive in any format.

RJL Solutions, a local government relations and public affairs firm headquartered in Terre Haute, Indiana, welcomes TJ Collett to the team as a government relations intern. In this role, Collett will be working with the RJL Advocacy team as they prepare for the 2021 Legislative Session. Collett will aide in extensive research for the team and will be given the opportunity to learn more about lobbying, policy and government relations. 

“It exhilarates me to be submerged in new work that will challenge me in the best possible way,” states Collett. “The culture that Rachel Leslie, CEO, has created inspires a drive to advocate for RJL’s clients and the community. I am looking forward to learning more about relationship-building, effective communication, and the professional team environment in my time at RJL.” 

Collett, a Terre Haute native, is currently working to complete his M.A. in communications at the University of Kentucky while he plays in his final year of eligibility for the university’s baseball team. Through his support in athletics, Collett has been able to begin cultivating relationships rooted in advocacy through his volunteer work with the UK Kentucky Children’s Hospital and the Jessie Reers Foundation. Collett is currently home for an extended winter break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His love for his hometown community and passion for advocacy are what influenced him to find internship opportunities in Terre Haute during this break period. 
​
“It’s always incredibly exciting to welcome a new intern to the RJL team,” states Anna Madden, Director of Strategic Communications for RJL’s Indianapolis office and head of RJL’s intern program. “At RJL, we believe in giving our interns thought-provoking work that connects them directly with clients and real-world experience. TJ is bringing a strong work ethic and charisma to the team. I can’t wait to see all he is able to accomplish with our government relations team.” 

​Lawmakers will be tackling issues that directly impact each of us ranging from unemployment, job security, taxes, business protections, and budgetary matters. The advocacy and government relations team at RJL Solutions will be in the trenches on all issues and ensuring we are an accurate source of information. In recent months, we moved into a new office in downtown Indianapolis, directly across from the Statehouse. Because of this, we have readily available access to all that is happening with the Statehouse and can react fast. Since session logistics are still unknown, our new office space allows us to continue to advocate and interact with legislators following proper social distancing and mask policies. Although session may look a little different this year, our strategies and tactics will remain the same as we continue to push and represent all our clients. 

​First and foremost, do not get discouraged that your application was rejected. It doesn’t diminish your project’s worth! There are many applicants for one funding opportunity, and we need to understand the fact that not every project can be funded. Oftentimes, it’s a matter of scoring criteria and competition. An application with a lower score may get funded this year because the competition was low, while a high-scoring application may get rejected next year because more competing projects applied. In grant writing, persistence is key. Breathe, dust yourself off, and get back up again.

​The great thing about grants is the funder usually presents an opportunity to sit down and provide feedback over your application, or at the very least will send written feedback via email upon request. Take this opportunity! In fact, ask for it! The worst the funder can say is, “No.” And they usually won’t. In gaining that feedback, not only will you learn how to create a stronger application and make improvements where needed, you establish a connection with the funder. This gives you the opportunity to have a contact to reach out to should additional questions arise during the application process. 

​After you receive feedback from the funder, talk through the feedback with your team while going through the application. The feedback will give you a fresh perspective on your proposal, and you will be able to see what the funder saw, strategize and make the necessary updates. 

You’ve taken the breath, received the feedback and made the improvements to your application. Now, it’s time for the next round. When the next round is announced, review the grant guidelines for any new information that may have been added from the last and get to work. Keep in mind, you are not limited to apply for the same grant. Another opportunity may come available before the next round of funding that fits your project proposal and eligibility requirements. Should that opportunity arise, go for it! You’ve done the groundwork. You’ve done the hard part. No un-funded grant application is a failure because you now have a starting point, messaging and data to use to apply for future opportunities.

​Grants have the ability to help businesses and organizations through difficult times, jumpstart projects and change communities. Your project is worth pursuing, but it’s not always easy. There are occasional roadblocks that will pop-up even though we try our best to avoid them. The project may not receive funding the first time around, but that doesn’t mean the dream is dead. If at first you don’t succeed, don’t be afraid or too discouraged to try again.  

career path was for me. I had not been presented with the opportunity to use my passion anywhere except a classroom. I wanted to find a place where I could use writing in the real world and be taken seriously as a young professional.
 
When I applied to intern at RJL, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had heard good things from past interns, but my sardonic personality couldn’t help but think of all the intern horror stories I’d seen online from random strangers at random companies. However, at the start of my interview I knew I had found something special. It felt like a casual conversation in which people were truly trying to get to know me. They wanted to know my skills but also what I wanted in an internship, not just what they imagined. I was an individual with aspirations to them and not a possible coffee runner. When I was asked about my writing, I felt an odd sense of pride. I knew I had finally found the opportunity to use my skills in a meaningful and real-world way.
 
An internship can elevate you in ways you didn’t know it could. During my internship at RJL, I was extremely lucky to be surrounded by mentors and supervisors who trusted me and wanted to see me succeed. I was assigned tasks that were beyond my comfort level but pushed me to be better as a professional and as a writer. Doors to opportunities were not just opened for me, they were flung open at rapid rates. I was handed task after task that taught me something new. Blog posts, press releases and website copy became new ways in which I was able to express my passion for writing in the real world. I had always loved writing. Of course, I did. It’s why I chose English as a major in college. But I had a very narrow view of how writing applied to the real world. Being an intern opened my eyes to the possibilities of what I could do with my degree and skill. RJL gave me the opportunity to use my writing for social media, ghost writing, data analysis, press releases and more. A passion for writing didn’t have to be confined to writing books or papers. It could be used in multiple aspects that go beyond the world of academia. As an intern, you have to seize the opportunities thrown at you. At the core of almost all my tasks as an intern was writing. I was fortunate to be at a company where they heard what I wanted. I wanted to write, so they gave me varying tasks that involved just that. I was given the opportunity to constantly be learning about myself, a business and writing. It was essential to not just my success at RJL, but RJL’s success overall. I was becoming an integral part of RJL because they trust their interns and want to see them succeed.
 
Internships get a bad reputation. Some deservedly so, but if you truly find a company that wants to see you succeed and wants to see you elevate yourself as a young professional, the opportunities are endless. Paying attention, giving your best and, most importantly, working hard, will allow you to find new opportunities that can help you find your niche and your passion.

Take our great country for example. When the United States first formed, we did not have a federal government. In fact, our “states” were still considered commonwealths able to implement their own local regulations and policies. These in turn reflected the local communities’ ideals and priorities. Members had the opportunity to work with their local leaders to encourage change in policies to create a COMMUNITY for the common good. These opportunities STILL exist today, but surprisingly few community members take advantage of them.
​
Before we dive into the next piece of federal policy, let’s first take a step back and ask ourselves what we are doing to better our local community. The policies made by councilmen/women and county commissioners are going to have an immediate and lasting impact on the community compared to the slower pace of the federal government. Our local communities’ decisions have a much more direct effect on ordinary day-to-day activities compared to state and federal government. We have more opportunities to make our opinions, concerns and praises heard by our local elected officials. It is our duty to serve in the community where we live by becoming prominent leaders and active residents. Simply put, it is our responsibility to serve our neighbors to enhance our quality of life.
​
Some examples of ways to enhance your local community and make your voice heard include:

• Writing letters to local community leaders and publications
• Attending City Council meetings
• Signing up for monthly newsletters from organizations and leaders within your community
• Voting in local elections
• Volunteering for local and community organizations
• Submitting recommendations and requests for improvements in a community
• Participating in and completing surveys sent out to communities

Find out who your state and local leaders are by visiting http://iga.in.gov/legislative/find-legislators/​ and by exploring your local city and county government websites.

Just a few weeks after adding another team member to their advocacy department in the Indianapolis office, RJL Solutions, an advocacy and strategic communications firm headquartered in Terre Haute, announces internal changes with more growth in Indianapolis as the driving goal. With one strategic communications team member elevating to an executive level role, another being promoted from within, another moving to lead an Indianapolis division for the department and yet another being elevated to lead community development initiatives, RJL Solutions has big plans that align these changes for the strategic growth of the company.

In just 3 short years, the RJL Solutions team has grown from 1 full-time employee and 1 part-time employee to 10 full-time employees and 3 part-time interns. As an Indiana certified woman-owned enterprise, RJL Solutions continues to grow not only in size, but in services and reach throughout the state of Indiana. Established in 2017, RJL Solutions began as a Terre Haute-based advocacy firm. Adding a strategic communications department was one of the company’s first major decisions after opening in order to provide advocacy clients with other needed services such as public relations, web design, brand strategy and social media marketing. The department quickly grew from one employee to five within 18 months’ time.

Now, with an additional office in Indianapolis and clients all across the state, the firm's services include advocacy, community development, grant writing and marketing. RJL Solutions quickly outgrew its first location on 7th Street in Terre Haute, and in October 2018, the team moved to the second floor at 1125 Wabash Ave. Recently, CEO Rachel Leslie purchased the building and expanded to the main level. In early 2020, RJL Solutions established its first Indianapolis office.

“We have grown quickly yet intentionally since opening three years ago. We have created a pattern of constant planning, implementing, and reevaluating to meet the growing needs of the communities we serve,” states Rachel Leslie, CEO. “We consistently think very deliberately about our services, desired markets, and most importantly, our employees and empowering them to lead and grow alongside RJL Solutions. These changes make sense for all of the above.”

The changes Leslie is referring to include:

​Betsy Elliott, former Director of Strategic Communications, becomes Chief Financial Officer.

“It’s a lot of change and a lot of growth when you put it on paper,” states Leslie. “But we don’t really know any different! We are always thinking of how we can evolve, and we have a culture that supports that. These internal changes will allow us to better serve our current and future clients as we expand to new markets. I’m excited for what our future holds. We aren’t planning on slowly down any time soon.”

​RJL Solutions, an advocacy and strategic communications firm headquartered in Terre Haute, Indiana, has added a second full-time employee to their Indianapolis office. Taylor Hollenbeck joins the team, bringing previous experience in government relations, most recently as Director of Legislative Affairs in the Office of Indiana Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch. 
​
“As RJL Solutions continues to grow, it became important for us to provide support to the Indianapolis office not only during session but all year long,” states RJL Solutions CEO Rachel Leslie. “While Taylor will work with our clients from every location – West Central Indiana to statewide – we knew that it was time to increase our presence in the Indianapolis market.” 

As Government Relations Associate at RJL Solutions, Hollenbeck will assist in the development and implementation of strategic high-level initiatives for clients which include policy development, relationship-building, collaboration and partnerships at local, state, and federal levels. Additionally, this position will be key in the analysis of proposed legislative actions, determining the potential impact and developing appropriate responses.  

“Taylor brings extensive knowledge in policy analysis and the creation of advocacy strategies that have proven successful,” states RJL Solutions Director of Government Relations Andrianna Hji-Avgoustis. “Her experience has given her in-depth knowledge of the legislative process and the proven ability to form strong connections with key stakeholders. She’ll definitely be a gamechanger for our Indianapolis office and the entire company.” 

Hollenbeck obtained her bachelor’s degree in political science from Grand Valley State University in Michigan. Before serving in the Lt. Governor’s Office, Hollenbeck was a legislative assistant and, prior to that, a legislative intern. She also volunteers as co-director of a local pageant affiliated with the Miss America Organization. 

​Listening. It seems like such an easy task, an easy thing to do. As humans, we've been doing it from day one. We were taught when we were kids to listen up and quiet down. To an extent, it has been engraved into our very nature. However, listening with heart and the full intention to understand is an acquired skill.
 
As Business Development Specialist at RJL Solutions, listening has become a significant part in my every day role. As the liaison and committed contact for our clients, it is my job to take what a client shares with me, whether it be opportunities, hurdles or distant visions, and digest them to generate solutions and tangible outcomes. By listening, I am able to ask probing questions and draw answers and information that might not be evident from the start. Many times, this leads the conversation through a stream of processes in which ideas unravel, creativity flourishes and resolutions become evident.
 
Over the last 4 months, normalcy generated a new feel. Many things were changing, including my role at RJL Solutions as I entered into the position of Business Development Specialist. As many of us know, business development quickly looked different as companies and organizations began strategizing under perimeters they hadn't experienced before. Priorities shifted, mindsets changed and business models pivoted with the times. Listening suddenly had a heightened level of responsibility and significance. Listening became make or break, success or failure.
 
Today, listening has become more of a normal in our society. We tend to stop and listen to the response at the end of the standard passing question of "how are you?" Genuine asks replace those that were used as a standard greeting. Today, we listen quite differently.
 
At RJL Solutions, I continue to hold this virtue as part of my standard business practice and integrate it into every facet of client relations. There are plenty more stories to be told and listening to be done. What are you ready to share? 

​Vittoria Meyer, former Public Relations Specialist, was recently promoted to Business Development Specialist at public affairs firm, RJL Solutions. Within this new role, Meyer is responsible for building relationships with prospective and current clients, communicating the benefits of the company’s services and providing excellent client service to partners of RJL Solutions.

“I look forward to serving and elevating our clients in this newfound role,” Meyer states. “It energizes me to work one-on-one with clients, strategize solutions and identify unique opportunities that fit each clients’ unique needs and organizational models.”

Working as Business Development Specialist, Meyer will work closely with RJL Solutions’ clients by strengthening relationships and helping them succeed. Her writing and public relations expertise will be instrumental in RJL’s continued growth as she will be responsible for expanding its clientele and serving as a liaison for the company and its clients. Meyer will provide a link between clients and the essential resources needed to bring them winning successes.

“This position is essential for elevating RJL Solutions and each of our clients as it creates an added level of understanding, communication and solution-finding,” states Hannah Pruitt, RJL Solutions’ COO. “Vittoria is a strategic and creative thinker. This, mixed with her relatable and personable personality provides attributes that are vital for this role.”

After graduating from ISU in 2018, Meyer was immediately hired at RJL Solutions as Operations Manager. She quickly established herself as a young professional and as an individual on the RJL team. Meyer worked closely with CEO Rachel Leslie and was a critical asset in establishing the operational successes of RJL Solutions. In 2019, she was promoted to Public Relations Specialist, housed under the Strategic Communications department. In this role, she was able to establish her writing and media relations skills. These, amongst others, provide a unique skillset for her new role.

“I believe I have an interesting perspective having worked under RJL’s CEO and having worked for the Strategic Communications department. My tenure at the company has elevated me in areas I can succeed in, but most importantly in areas where I can ensure and contribute to our clients’ successes,” Meyer continues. “RJL Solutions, CEO Rachel Leslie and the entire team has established a road lined in leadership and possibility. I know this will remain true for this new opportunity.”

Aside from her work at RJL, Meyer recently became a graduate of Purdue Extension Leadership Vigo County. During this six-month process, she received a certificate of completion for the program’s training in leadership development. This experience elevated her leadership skills and gave her the opportunity to engage with members of her community. Aside from work, Meyer is an avid yoga fan. In her free time, she loves to travel, read and, of course, write.

RJL Solutions, a local public affairs firm, recently hired three summer interns: Anwyn Payonk, a senior from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College; Ashley Salesman, a senior from Indiana State University; and Abigail Wilson, a senior from Indiana State University.

“RJL Solutions seeks applicants who exemplify leadership qualities because every RJL employee is a leader on their own. Our interns support our mission to advance Indiana communities as well as take initiative in their daily tasks,” states Anna Madden, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications. “RJL’s internship program provides professional development and elevates individuals. We give them great opportunities through hands-on experience. Our interns take on high-level work that a lot of other places don’t allow interns to do. We choose leaders because we have opportunities for them.”
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Anwyn Payonk, of Champaign, Ill., public relations intern, provides support to RJL Solutions in copy editing, writing and researching. Anwyn is currently pursuing a degree in English with minors in professional writing and women’s studies. At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, she gained experience as a writing tutor and Learning Resource Center assistant as well as serving as a Student Senate representative. After graduating, she hopes to earn an MA and eventually a Ph.D. in the literature and writing field. ​

“I love the foundation of RJL and what it stands for,” states Anwyn. “As a certified woman-owned business, it is empowering and motivating me to expand my knowledge and skills not just as a writer but as a young professional.” ​

Ashley Salesman, of Terre Haute, Ind., marketing and design intern, supports the team in social media management, content creation and website design. She is currently working towards a degree in communications with a minor in marketing. Along with RJL, Ashley works as a marketing specialist at Gibson Real Estate. At ISU, Ashley is extremely involved, serving as Zeta Tau Alpha historian, State Dance Marathon captain, and a National Honor Society member. When Ashley graduates this December, she hopes to continue working in marketing in the Terre Haute area.

“RJL has offered me the tools for success,” stated Ashley. “I am able to strengthen my design and marketing skills while maintaining and improving relationships with members of our community.” ​

​When the COVID-19 pandemic began, the RJL Solutions team had a very real conversation about how businesses historically have reacted to a crisis. The harsh reality is, many organizations’ first response is to cut marketing and communication budgets significantly, in some cases all together.
 
As a marketer, I know that eliminating your communication during a crisis could be detrimental to your business or organization. A crisis is the time to step up, make your voice heard and communicate with your customers, clients and business partners. A crisis is a time to evaluate how to strategically communicate what your mission is and what your values are.
 
The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged businesses all over the world to re-think how they operate from a digital perspective. Brick-and-mortar reliant businesses suddenly had no way to continue to operate as normal and were forced to quickly develop a digital presence, or face shutting down all together.
 
Sadly, as many businesses are now learning, building a digital presence is something that is difficult to do overnight. Building a digital presence, whether it be on social media platforms, a website or an e-commerce platform, takes time to develop, and even more time to do so with an intentional and strategic approach.
 
For many businesses, COVID-19 has been a wake-up call that has sparked somewhat of a digital marketing revolution. Many businesses and organizations are now taking time to evaluate how to better utilize digital marketing efforts across many platforms, some for the first time.
 
At RJL Solutions, we pivoted our internal digital communication efforts not once, not twice, but three times since the beginning of the pandemic. Not only have we done that for our own internal processes, but we have done that for our clients as well.
 
Our entire team rallied to support our client family throughout this journey. Barriers between departments were bridged through digital technology and brainstorming became an entire team approach. We brainstormed, we acted, we pivoted and pivoted again. We ensured that our clients were getting their message out, strategically, intentionally and effectively. We understood and continue to understand the vital importance of digital communication during a crisis.
 
As a public affairs firm, we are proud of what we have done to help our clients so far during this journey. You will find that the businesses who didn't cut their marketing dollars and successfully increased their marketing efforts are the businesses that will not only survive, but thrive.

To serve as a manager, one should be a forward thinker and a leader, highly organized and possess a heightened ability to multitask. To be the Operations Manager at RJL Solutions, one also must be able to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, while ensuring the foundation and backbone of the organization, its people and, of course, its clients are prioritized. With this, as Operations Manager, I am able to a contribute to the team in ways that allow each member to focus on their specialty, optimize their strengths and keep the company running smoothly and efficiently.

My goal, in its varying forms, is to assist the RJL Leadership Team, allowing them the flexibility, resources and support in order to give undivided attention to client relationships and moving the company forward. I hold this role to the highest regard, understanding that a strong and functional operations system lies the groundwork for growth. Quite often, like in modern architecture, the groundwork is unseen. I, too, maintain this groundwork in ways that aren’t directly visible. Many times, it’s maintenance on the groundwork of our already established processes, while other times its strategically developing and adding new, innovative groundwork that supports the growth of the organization. However, everything that encompasses my position is aimed to create an elite experience for our clients, our team and RJL Solutions as we know it.

Part of RJL Solutions’ elite experience is the woman-owned business certification the company holds through the state of Indiana. This status not only positions RJL Solutions uniquely in Terre Haute and West Central Indiana, but it is also a major benefit for our clients, giving them more opportunities to meet diversity bidding requirements. Operationally, obtaining this certification helps our clients, community, teammates and ourselves succeed, and I am so happy to be a part of a team that gets things done, from the groundwork up.

Our company, in partnership with the state of Indiana, has recently completed the process of becoming a women-owned businessrecognized throughout the state. With this certification, RJL Solutions, led by CEO and owner Rachel J. Leslie, looks forward to serving our clients in a new capacity, building beneficial partnerships and bringing greater opportunities and solutions to all. 
 
"Our commitment to elevating our clients includes elevating our internal business operations, qualifications and certifications," states Leslie. "We have found that these investments provide greater benefits to our working partners and that drives us to create a more robust business model, which includes this certification."  
 
RJL is committed to undergoing the next steps and certifications needed to help clients, community, teammates and ourselves succeed, and obtaining this certification heightens this ability. 
 
For an entire list of the certified women-owned businesses in the state of Indiana, visit https://www.in.gov/idoa/mwbe/2743.htm