Recessions Don’t Last Forever!

It could, but what if it doesn’t?

Will you be prepared?

Will those key external audiences of yours, whose behaviors REALLY affect you, look favorably at you and your business?

Because, once economy emerges from recession, if they don’t, you’ll have one arm tied behind your back.

Don’t let that happen. Instead, decide now which groups of people outside your organization can help or hurt you most. For our purposes, that #1 group is your key target audience.

What’s going through minds of members of that audience? You and your people must monitor those perceptions by interacting with these important folks, and asking questions. Yes, that takes time, but you must do it!

Take this approach when you actually meet those members. Start with questions. What do you think of our operation, products or services? Stay alert for wrong thinking, misconceptions and inaccuracies that can hurt. Watch for rumors or beliefs that can lead to behaviors that will pain you. And be especially sensitive to negative conversational tone. Does it suggest that a problem may be on horizon?

The answers you gather will let you create a corrective public relations goal. It may call for straightening out a damaging misconception about your service quality, or it may seek to replace an inaccurate perception with truth. Sometimes, your public relations goal will zero in on a particularly hurtful rumor with plans to lay it to rest. For that matter, even a less than positive overall impression of your organization can be targeted for improvement by your public relations goal

1. Positive Reinforcement. Acknowledge your employees contributions. This action demonstrates that you know and appreciate their efforts. It also shows that care about their personal development. Individuals always enjoy receiving positive feedback. Don’t you?

2. Delegate. Provide employees with ever-growing responsibility and authority to get job done. This makes your staff feel valued, trusted and respected.