The Public Relations Blog

Prepare for the worst so you perform at your best

Consumers are irrational. It’s part of the thrill of doing business: seeing if your company can decipher the right combination of wants versus needs and create an optimum strategy for pricing products for maximum profit.

Businesses generally have policies or processes to handle expected variables such as low inventory, staff illnesses or a new product launch. Rarely, however, are companies in the mindset to pre-identify triggers that would help them recognize when events start drifting outside of the realm of normal operations.

When you compare cost to results, you will always come out ahead

As a medium-sized company, you have more resources than a small business, but can still maintain a level of flexibility not present in large corporations. Although you have more money to work with, you still need to ensure that you spend it wisely. So, are you spending enough on public relations?

Ben Franklin knew a thing or two about reputation. Not only was he concerned about his own, but also about the effect his actions would have on his parents' legacy and on the ambitions of his children. In short, he knew that one's reputation was a most valuable thing. Here are a few other insights on reputation from the self-proclaimed printer, revolutionary and statesman.

Public recognition and trust are huge aspects of business success. By virtue of the stories they run, the news media can develop awareness, extend credibility, generate trust and motivate the audience’s responses toward a company and its products and services. Successful businesses often have solid working relationships with several news outlets, including bloggers, reporters, editors and producers. A recent survey indicated that the public considers news stories to be more persuasive and more credible than advertisements. A high percentage of business owners report that public relations – not advertising – is the most valuable investment for marketing dollars.

Foodborne illnesses (from bacteria such as salmonella or E. coli) not only negatively affect consumers; they also impact a company’s bottom line, stock price, brand reputation and overall image. These microscopic organisms are easily spread and ultimately wreak havoc in very short order.

Reputation management: The importance of monitoring what the Internet says about your company

Most of us can recall a time when someone was talking about us behind our back. It certainly didn’t feel good to know that these conversations were happening or rumors were surfacing, and most of us felt helpless to shift the tide. Often, it took confronting those who seemed in conflict with us to clear the air, and even then, remnants of the initial sabotage lived on, regardless of whether it was true or not.

PR can show you how to come out on top

Social media is a very dynamic environment in which people respond quickly and in real time. Your content can go viral in a matter of minutes. When that happens, it increases your brand awareness and provides some great PR opportunities. But things can go south, too, and your content could attract a slew of negative comments. The situation could even escalate enough to damage your brand name.

Use PR to solve problems, build your customer base and achieve results

Engineering firms today face a challenging marketplace. In order to stay ahead of the competition, you need to increase your visibility, prove that you add value and differentiate yourself as an industry leader. Help from PR can make these vital tasks easier.

To engage clients, handle crises and communicate effectively with target audiences, every kind of business requires assistance from experts who excel in these areas.

Why you should let PR manage this crucial task

Your CEO guides the company’s strategic vision, leads the team and decides where the money will go. Whether the company thrives or goes down in flames is often her responsibility. She also serves as the public face of your organization. With so much riding on her shoulders, it’s critical to protect the reputation of your CEO.

Is your company doing all it can to attract and retain the best and brightest employees?

Many companies still believe that all it takes to attract the best and brightest job applicants is to offer a competitive salary and benefits. Smarter companies have learned that, these days, it takes much more. Which of these sound like your company?

Beyond salary, companies must strive to build an environment that considers many important elements, including work-life balance, opportunities for career development and advancement, training and office culture. Axia Public Relations is here to help with tips for how to promote your workplace excellence and culture as well as earn award recognition as one of the Best Places to Work.