Changing times for PR and communication

Under Pressure 25 October 2024

Changing times for PR and communication

In just over a week my latest book will be published. It has been the most challenging book I have written so far and the reason is that I have long wrestled with the phrase reputation management. Strategic Reputation Management is likely to be a book some love and others hate but I felt the time was right for a fresh look at the issue.

My approach has been that reputation is, and has to be, about more than PR and communication activity. There needs to be a whole business approach and most importantly in the world we live in today it is something that all organisations and businesses need to be concerned about.

I state in the Preface of the book

Reputation remains an important asset for any business or organisation if it is managed in the right way. ..This is the time for a fresh look at both what we do and how we do it so that we build reputations for now and the future.

So what needs to change?

As well as the way we look at what reputation is, there is a need to consider it in detailed ways related to different communities, groups and individuals. We need to start to see what we do as reputation influencing rather than management. Reputation needs to be rooted in building trust and confidence in the brand, organisation or business. This means it needs to be part of systems, processes, policies and the way risks and crises are managed.

The second half of the book is focused on when an issue becomes a crisis for the reputation of a business or organisation. When that happens it needs to be carefully managed and handled. In short, when you are under pressure don’t assume that putting some good stories out will make a difference. It can and often does make the situation worse.

It will be interesting to gauge the feedback and how both communicators and leaders view what I discuss in the book. But if nothing else, I hope it gets people thinking a little longer about what they are doing and why they are doing it.

Strategic Reputation Management is published on 3 November (23 November in US) by Kogan Page. Find out more here.

Duty of Candour - Book now

Amanda is delighted to be joining with Professor Lucy Easthope again for a further discussion about important aspects of crisis and disaster response. The latest session which is free and online on 18 November at 6.30pm GMT will consider the impact of the duty of candour and what it will mean for response and communication. To book a space click here.

Hurricane Milton and some shocking developments

The impact of the hurricane may not have been as physically damaging as expected but it led to a significant issue for disaster responders. There were xX people killed during the storm which is incredibly sad.

In the aftermath there was a huge amount of misinformation and rumour that created huge challenges for FEMA. But most concerning was the fact FEMA staff supporting North Carolina after recent Hurricane Helene had to withdraw from an area due to concerns about armed militia threatening workers. (Read more here)

The impact of fake news and the demands on communication are more and more significant. If you have crisis plans have you considered how you would attempt to address such misinformation?

In Brief:

• Satellite messaging that is part of IOS18 could be a significant benefit to people in an emergency when cellular traffic and operation is put under pressure. Find out what it could mean here.

• According to a tech journalist Reddit may have a significant role to play in crisis communication and sharing information at critical times. Find out why here.

• The US elections are sparking concern about potential riots and business disturbances. Find out more here.

• The growth of crisis consultants is highlighted in an article in the Indian Times economic pages with details of why they are needed before anything happens. Read more here.

• The idea that transparent leadership is what is required in managing problematic situations in the post Covid era is considered in a Forbes article. Read more here.

• A lack of preparedness for high risk crises by organisations and businesses is discussed in an article in HR Magazine. Find out more here.

• Questions about whether the world is more prepared for a future pandemic were covered in a recent article in The Daily Telegraph. Read more here.

• A new communication tool was being prepared for possible use in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. The system crafts radio messages using artificial intelligence. To find out more click here.

• The importance of long term disaster recovery is discussed by Dan Stoneking of the Emergency Management External Affairs Association in a recent opinion article. Find out more here.

• The classification of cyber incidents was the subject of a recent discussion of transnational threats. Read more here.

• The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre has produced some guidance for businesses about communicating when a cyber incident happens. Read more here.

Diary Dates:

• 18 November - Amanda joins Professor Lucy Easthope for a discussion about the duty of candour. Register here.

• 28 November - Amanda’s last online training session for 2024 is a Crisis Communication Exercise that gives you a chance to test your decision making in a safe environment. For more information email office@amandacolemancomms.co.uk