Meg North Taylor
Public Relations Manager
Latitude Communications, provider of MeetingPlace integrated voice and web conferencing technology

1. How did you get into PR?
As an editorial assistant at Good Housekeeping magazine in the 1980s, I fielded about 300 PR pitches each week. It occurred to me that with my editorial background, I might be able to do a better job at securing coverage than many of the people who contacted me!

2. Briefly, describe your typical workday.
I attend about four "virtual meetings" on MeetingPlace with co-workers, customers, journalists and industry analysts; review abstracts for speaking opportunities, handle day-to-day management of our PR firm in London, conduct research on workplace collaboration issues, plan and create press releases, and develop marketing communications themes and story ideas.

3. What is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is feeling the positive impact of my work, particularly in analyst relations. It is gratifying to know that my work is helping generate a number of RFPs.

4. What is the worst part of your job?
The worst part of my job is the Silicon Valley commute! By the time I get home from work, I often have just an hour with my 16-month old daughter, Victoria.

5. What is the biggest lesson you've learned during your PR career?
The biggest lesson I've learned is "pick your battles." If we take the time and energy to argue every single point, we can't stay focused -- or sane.

6. What is the most unique thing about your company?
As an employer, Latitude is unusual in that it provides a "volunteer vacation" benefit: Employees are entitled to a week of paid time to do volunteer work for the charity of our choice -- anywhere in the world. Our technology is unique in that its voice and web integration allows conference participants to see who's speaking -- a great plus when meeting with more than six people, some of whom we've never seen before.

7. What is your ideal dream job?
My dream job involves doing exactly what I'm doing -- with no commute!