Transparency

I’m thinking about these listed items today.  We are currently outlining a communications strategy for a client group.  As this is top of mind at the moment I’m talking with more people about their organization’s communication strategy.  Last night, speaking with a communications person from one of Canada’s major universities, I was interested and surprised to hear about her struggle to introduce a comprehensive plan and the bureaucratic push-back she is experiencing.  

This is from greenbiz.com.

“…consumers now rank trust and transparency higher than the quality of products and services, prices and financial performance… these are the factors most important to corporate reputation:

Transparent and honest practices: 83 percent

Company I can trust: 83 percent

High quality products or services: 79 percent

Communicates frequently: 75 percent

Treats employees well: 72 percent

Good corporate citizen: 64 percent

Prices fairly: 58 percent

Innovator: 48 percent

Top leadership: 47 percent

Financial returns: 45 percent”

Are the terms ‘transparency’, ‘trust’ and ‘communicate frequently’ in your organization’s communication strategy?  

Social media is an excellent tool for all of the above.  As an organization however, handle with care and definitely have a plan.