Posted by BBN Central on 20th Jul 2021
5 Reasons your business should have a Public Relations Strategy
The value of a sound public relations strategy is absolutely critical to modern-day business. Delivering the right messages at the...
READ MOREHow to communicate during a pandemic
Posted by BBN UK (Aberdeen) on 24th Mar 2020
As billions of people around the globe try and establish how best to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, three fundamental factors are making communication with stakeholders difficult.
In an emotional cocktail of feeling threatened, uncertain and having a lack of control, people act first and think later. Around the world people have rushed to supermarkets emptying shelves, bulk buying toilet rolls, baked beans, pasta, and hand soap. At the time of writing the latest government advice is to self-isolate to slow the spread, presenting businesses with an ever-greater challenge to effectively communicate with its stakeholders as they decentralise.
There are two consistent themes in all communications at this time; transparency and compassion.
Internal Communications:
The most effective communications start from within. Your employees are your brand ambassadors and so it’s important that they are informed and know what’s going on. Communication should help to put their mind at ease; this will make external communications easier.
- Communicate early and often. Even if the full extent of the situation is not yet clear. Say what you know.
- Be compassionate. Try and see the situation through the lens of your employees to understand their anxieties.
- Be open, honest and transparent to remain credible.
- Demonstrate how and why decisions have been made, and what information you have used to make this decision (the latest government advice for example).
- Let your employees know when they can expect a further update.
- Keep the message succinct and straightforward to avoid confusion.
External Communications
External communication is different from the internal. They are typically less frequent and messages are more refined.
- In all messaging put people first.
- Shape communications to focus on what’s important to your customer. For example, British Airways reassured its customers by telling them they can change the destination and date of travel for free. BA also provided details of how it has increased its aircraft cleaning procedures.
- Be open, honest and transparent to remain credible.
- Be compassionate rather than focusing on sales messages.
- Keep the message succinct and straightforward to avoid confusion.
Contact us if you need help with your communications at this crucial and sensitive time.
This article was written by:
Stevie Brown |
Posted by BBN UK (Aberdeen) on 24th Mar 2020
Hello!
SUBSCRIBE NOW.
1 email a month, EXCLUSIVE stories, and 10 minutes of your time.
Subscribe nowMORE RELEVANT STORIES ON
Posted by BBN Central on 1st Jun 2021
Six reasons journalists are ignoring your press release & how to fix it
It’s frustrating putting lots of work into a press release only to see it not get picked up by anyone....
READ MORE
Posted by BBN UK (Aberdeen) on 4th May 2021
How to spend your PR budget wisely
Times are challenging for many businesses right now. The focus is on cost once again. That means every penny that...
READ MORE
Posted by BBN Norway on 9th Mar 2021
Why you should not forget PR
Traditional Public Relations (PR) has fallen into the shadow of content marketing. However, PR can significantly benefit from the work...
READ MORE
