The PR Perspective

Movie Lessons for the CEO

Movie Lessons for the CEO

You know your business. You have a passion for what you do and a process for how to accomplish it.

The people you have in place are the “right ones on the bus.” You are well read and can work an iPhone or android better than most people half your age. So what’s keeping you up at night? You go to bed early and wake up early. But it isn’t on purpose. Unresolved issues shake you in the night and tire you throughout the day. It is a vicious cycle that can zap the life out of you and your organization.

You want to connect with your customer in a unique way. You not only want them to buy the product, you want them to feel like their organization and world will be a better place as a result of their partnership with your business. The connection with your customer is where the science of deliberate communication occurs. That point of contact says you understand your client and know how they consume information. It also relays confidence in your product, messaging, team and how the “collective” integrates with the community to make our world a better place to live.

How do you become that company? Have a team come along side your organization that specializes in message development, customer relationship management, and shaping perception. Public relation firms have a proven track record of helping clients generate business results and goodwill in their respective communities.

Since you’ve seen all of the movies that come on in the middle of the night, here are a few “movie lessons” to consider when bringing on a team to help you:

“Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.” (Gone With The Wind) Be Rhett Butler. Know who you are and what you want. Having firm goals will set the course for all of your initiatives.

“I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse.” (The Godfather) Don Corleone can name his own price, can you? Identify a marketing budget. It will ensure nobody is wasting their time “capisce.”

“I’m not bad, I’m just drawn that way.” (Who Framed Roger Rabbit) Take time to research perception about your company. You might be like Jessica Rabbit, looking good for all of the wrong reasons.

“You’re gonna need a bigger boat” (Jaws) That’s chief Martin Brody’s way of saying know when you are in over your head. In “PR” terms: you don’t need a news release, you need a strategic plan.

“You had me at ‘hello’” (Jerry Maguire). There is paralysis in analysis. Dorothy Boyd went with her gut, so should you.

“In this town I’m the leper with the most fingers.” (The Two Jakes) Jake Gittes’ advice is value integrity and be sure you have an ethical communications partner.

My best to you as you become the company that integrates with your community.

Sincerely,

Tom

GPS: The Importance of Faith

GPS: The Importance of Faith

New Mexico has a very diverse “faith” history. Native American Spirituality, Spain’s quest to promote the Catholic religion, the rich Jewish history in our state, a growing base of Eastern religions and the long established Christian outreach to people in urban and rural areas is a hint of how important faith is in New Mexico.

Curious about the importance of faith in the lives of New Mexico residents, my public relations firm ask a question on the topic in our recently completed Garrity Perception Survey.

GPS: Accountants

GPS: Accountants

The greatest area of opportunity to build trust for the Accountant is in the age range of 50-64 years. This group, which includes some of the highest wage earners, has a lower level of trust than any other age group in New Mexico. Perhaps the recession coupled with discussion of higher taxes clouds the trust. Whether or not that is the case, accountants can increase their trust level through “plain speak” about the issues facing this age group and the solutions they might want to consider as they approach retirement.

GPS: Government

GPS: Government

The 2011 Garrity Perception Survey of New Mexico residents provides a unique take on the perception of government. Only 18% of residents trust government to do the right thing most of the time. And 54% feel that Government is trying to do too many things.

GPS: Courts and Justice System

GPS: Courts and Justice System

In the 2011 Garrity Perception Survey, New Mexico residents rated the “courts and the justice system” as the 14th least favorable out of 16 industries, finishing just behind “major business corporations” and just ahead of the “commercial construction industry.”