American Gas - May 2011 - (Page 27)

Investor relations programs must respond to dramatic changes in the business operating environment to be most effective today. On the MOney R unning a good investor relations (IR) program is difficult. Running a great IR program is extremely difficult, and becoming more so, particularly for companies with heavy retail shareholder bases similar to those of the typical utility company. Myriad influences such as the regulatory environment, technology change and market evolution are all converging to make IR one of most complex functions within a public company. How are the best IR officers (IROs) stepping up to meet the quickening pace of these changes and challenges? Defining Our Terms Let’s begin by ensuring a common understanding of the profession. Investor relations is a strategic management responsibility that integrates finance, communication, marketing and securities law compliance to enable the most effective two-way communication between a company and the financial community and other constituencies, which ultimately contributes to a company’s securities achieving fair valuation. This is the description approved by the board of directors of the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI). NIRI is the largest professional IR association in the world, whose more than 3,500 members represent 2,000 publicly held companies and more than $5 trillion in stock market capitalization. This definition covers quite a bit of ground, which is appropriate considering the wide-ranging nature of this unique profession. Ask any group of IROs to describe a “typical” day, and one thing will quickly become clear— there isn’t such a thing. The IROs’ responsibilities are diverse; their audiences are both inter- By Jeffrey D. morgan, cAe AmericAn GAs may 2011 27

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Gas - May 2011

American Gas - May 2011
Contents
President’s Message
Industry News
Safety First
To Be the Best
Fueling America
On the Money
Noteworthies
Marketplace
Advertisers’ Index
Places to Be
Jobline
Facts on Gas

American Gas - May 2011