Among the many quotes attributed to American business tycoon Warren Buffet, the one about reputation rings true. When Buffet said, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it”, he didn’t sp, specifically refer to CEOs, but he could very well have been. Since CEOs are the face and voice of the company, their actions reflect on the brand and corporate image and can have a widespread and far-reaching effect. Reputational damage through scandals, financial or otherwise, not only harms the trust that investors and clients place in the company, it affects everything else, such as sales, recruitment, and even stock price.
Most often, companies react by changing the leadership, but this has its downfalls as it can create an atmosphere of confusion for employees and stakeholders who need to be reassured Companies must have trusted advisors who can counsel them and help them look at the big picture.
But how can PR pros tackle these challenges and bring the situation under control?
- Planning a media strategy – When there is backlash in the media due to the actions of the CEO or any other leader, it becomes crucial to try and control the narrative as much as possible. For this, the right spokesperson is needed, someone who can assuredly speak assuredly and confidently and apologising for it speaks volumes, especially in an era where CEO activism is considered the norm. But on the other hand, there are times when it’s also advisable to pull away from the public view if the situation is out of control. Deciding which is the best course of action is something the PR advisory can do, because managing the public opinion at the right time is essential.
- Using Social Media – During times of crisis, social media can become a bane because events can snowball and go out of control in minutes. But it can also be used as a feedback tool, even though this would mean engaging in a conversation with the public. Social media can be used to measure the perception of the company but also to share honest and compelling examples of how the company is setting things right. CEOs are under constant scrutiny on social media; hence, it becomes even more crucial to handle online engagement appropriately and keep their emotions under control.
- Learning from Sentiment Analysis – Many companies use sentiment analysis to understand their target customers better, to monitor social media, and to have a clearer picture of public opinion. But in times of crisis, sentiment analysis can also be used to understand consumer attitudes and get insights into their emotions, so they can react to it in real time and better understand the public’s thought process. Sentiment analysis can also help prevent a potential crisis from gaining momentum and blow out of control.
- Actions speak louder – Trust in a company is inextricably tied to the CEO, and sometimes, it’s just not enough to communicate but to take actual redressal actions. By correcting the behavior and fixing the mistakes, the company sends out the message that they listen to what stakeholders and consumers want , and it stands to reinforce their trust in the company.
It’s impractical to assume that there will never be any crisis in the company because no one is infallible. Hence, it’s essential to integrate reputational risk into business planning and strategy. Factoring risk into the PR strategy can keep you prepared, but no planning can replace the work it takes to re-establish trust. Accepting responsibility, learning from mistakes, and taking action to revise policies can go a long way in improving the perception of the company.