We’ve seen and heard some epic failures in communication and branding, both personal and public, in recent weeks. Reputations that take time and effort to build can be struck down by one’s own words and deeds – the light and voice in which you portray yourself could be the difference between being the hero or the villain.
Reputations are closely linked to the success of any organisation, government, or public figure. The thing about reputation is that it is not some magical aura built over time out of good thought and deeds. Reputations must be deliberately nurtured, furthered, and protected, and that takes clear strategy and investment in the right resources. Communication lies at the heart of reputation management but Sri Lanka is yet to harness the vast potential of communications in creating value for an image.
Narrative control is of essence in the art of building reputations and while a handful of companies do recognise the importance of this at the highest level, many others continue to be reactionary in their approach to communications. But this is one case where prevention is most certainly better than putting out fires once a crisis blows up.
For a long time, we haven’t had to pay much attention to storytelling in the corporate and public sectors; in the past, there’s usually been an easy way to control damage and to ensure a negative message doesn’t spiral out of control. But times are changing and the entire communications landscape has now transformed with informal channels dominating the alternative space. As multiple examples have shown recently, it’s too late to fix once the wrong communication has done the damage.
The proliferation of media often results in an overload of information and many interpretations of the same message; add to this the rise of fake news, and the legitimacy of communication may also be questioned. This is why it is important that companies, public figures, and the public sector recognise the importance of communication and allow it the attention it deserves. Narrative management requires the investment of time and resources and some priority from senior leaders, who would otherwise face the brunt of a mismanaged reputation. The failure to be proactive could result in financial repercussions and a serious impact on performance.
As some recent events have shown, the lack of sophistication in handling media can be a dangerous thing. Being an expert in a subject is no reflection of how well someone can communicate; it takes preparation and practice and skill to retain control during a media interview. That’s why some companies invest in media training – because being articulate with the right body language while controlling nerves and not getting exposed by a journalist is a tough ask, even from a senior figure. Mistakes take a lot of effort to correct and given the pace and uptake of media, a reaction is often too little too late.
While public relations (PR) as a function can most certainly influence a reputation, the current media landscape requires institutions to acknowledge that reputation-building lies in the hands of every employee. A leaked email or recording that highlights wrongdoing can do great damage no matter how obscure the role of the perpetrator may be. Owning one’s story and carefully controlling how that narrative is built allows companies and brands to build trust and win confidence. Clarity and transparency must be combined with professionalism and responsibility in communication. And proactive and timely communication is far more effective than the exciting-sounding but arduous “crisis communication”.The art of brand protection
11 Apr 2021
The art of brand protection
11 Apr 2021
We’ve seen and heard some epic failures in communication and branding, both personal and public, in recent weeks. Reputations that take time and effort to build can be struck down by one’s own words and deeds – the light and voice in which you portray yourself could be the difference between being the hero or the villain.
Reputations are closely linked to the success of any organisation, government, or public figure. The thing about reputation is that it is not some magical aura built over time out of good thought and deeds. Reputations must be deliberately nurtured, furthered, and protected, and that takes clear strategy and investment in the right resources. Communication lies at the heart of reputation management but Sri Lanka is yet to harness the vast potential of communications in creating value for an image.
Narrative control is of essence in the art of building reputations and while a handful of companies do recognise the importance of this at the highest level, many others continue to be reactionary in their approach to communications. But this is one case where prevention is most certainly better than putting out fires once a crisis blows up.
For a long time, we haven’t had to pay much attention to storytelling in the corporate and public sectors; in the past, there’s usually been an easy way to control damage and to ensure a negative message doesn’t spiral out of control. But times are changing and the entire communications landscape has now transformed with informal channels dominating the alternative space. As multiple examples have shown recently, it’s too late to fix once the wrong communication has done the damage.
The proliferation of media often results in an overload of information and many interpretations of the same message; add to this the rise of fake news, and the legitimacy of communication may also be questioned. This is why it is important that companies, public figures, and the public sector recognise the importance of communication and allow it the attention it deserves. Narrative management requires the investment of time and resources and some priority from senior leaders, who would otherwise face the brunt of a mismanaged reputation. The failure to be proactive could result in financial repercussions and a serious impact on performance.
As some recent events have shown, the lack of sophistication in handling media can be a dangerous thing. Being an expert in a subject is no reflection of how well someone can communicate; it takes preparation and practice and skill to retain control during a media interview. That’s why some companies invest in media training – because being articulate with the right body language while controlling nerves and not getting exposed by a journalist is a tough ask, even from a senior figure. Mistakes take a lot of effort to correct and given the pace and uptake of media, a reaction is often too little too late.
While public relations (PR) as a function can most certainly influence a reputation, the current media landscape requires institutions to acknowledge that reputation-building lies in the hands of every employee. A leaked email or recording that highlights wrongdoing can do great damage no matter how obscure the role of the perpetrator may be. Owning one’s story and carefully controlling how that narrative is built allows companies and brands to build trust and win confidence. Clarity and transparency must be combined with professionalism and responsibility in communication. And proactive and timely communication is far more effective than the exciting-sounding but arduous “crisis communication”.Kapruka
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Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!