- Twitter to lose its reputation as a free speech platform?
- IIPM worried about Google Suggest, why is it so?
- Reputation Management Tip for 2012: Brands need to tap into social media search!
- Facebook Timeline and Reputation Management
- Apple Siri gender bias or glitch?
- Google+ vs Facebook – its not over yet!
- The Ethics of Self Promotion Through Charitable Causes (A Case Study)
- Google scraps sidewiki – will you miss it?
- Facebook, the trust factor
- BlackBerry Blackout- RIM’s Reputation Takes another Hit
Bad Press
Commonwealth Game 2010 – Child Labour’s New Nightmare
September 23, 2010 | 
Author 
Indian Government Respond to News from the Commonwealth Games
There are certain allegations and activities that lie at the heart of an organisation’s reputation. Manufacturers instituting processes to guard against low cost labour sourcing becoming cheap labour or child labour is a critical component of reputation management. Remember the impact the news that Nike sourced its footballs from factories employing child labour. The same applies for nations and especially those nations with a previous notoriety for child labour.
If there was one thing that India wanted to avoid being implicated in during the preparation for the games, it was the use of child labour. Let’s be clear: child labour is illegal and is condoned by nobody. Indians who are already deeply shamed by the fiasco of the Commonwealth Games are now even more profoundly shocked by what they are discovering about labour policies. Even worse is that this should be taking place in Delhi in the centre of India.
It is becoming increasingly apparent that there has been a major failure in understanding the relationship between the games and national reputation management. It seems that the politicians misunderstood what these games represent. For them they were a facade, an event in their own right whose value was the event and nothing more. In fact these major events are exemplars of a country’s capability displayed to the world. A chance to change paradigm thinking. In India’s case an opportunity to show that the old impoverished India has been replaced by a new, ambitious and efficient India. In this event, it is the old India that is on display and every last facet is still to be seen.
Internally this may represent a pivotal moment if young India can seize it: a chance to rid themselves of the corrupted incompetence of Chandrasekhar and Dikshit who seem blindly insouciant about the reputation armageddon that they are in. The new India and the old are beginning to diverge as each shares a very different ambition for the country. The interesting question is what will happen now. Indian citizens are awaiting the response from the still silent Prime Minister.
Arrested Lindsay Lohan tried to Tweet her way out of twouble
Well here’s a turn-up for the books…
Lindsay Lohan, out on probation after being found guilty of substance abuse, has had an arrest warrant issued in her name after failing her latest drugs tests. She now faces strict punishment by Judge Elden Fox for breach of the terms of her probation after he showed leniency in allowing the star some freedom to go about her business, including a host of current screen work.
What’s being talked about most at the moment though is not the fact that she failed another drugs test (like, who couldn’t see that one coming?), but infact the activity on her Twitter page.
Ms Lohan Tweeted:
“Regrettably, I did in fact fail my most recent drug test and if I am asked, I am prepared to appear before judge Fox next week as a result.”
“Substance abuse is a disease, which unfortunately doesn’t go away over night. I am working hard to overcome it and am taking positive steps forward every day. I am testing every single day and doing what I must do to prevent any mishaps in the future.”
The nature of her recent posts has got people questioning whether it’s actually her that’s posting. Her friends have been making comments like “this doesn’t sound like Lindsay”. And indeed, this is a sentiment that seems to be echoed by many people commenting on these Tweets.
It all begs the question… in a time whereby her public image has been shot to high heavens, was it Lindsay making those posts? They were clearly designed to show humility and carry favour with the judge, so was it Ms Lohan that made that call? Did she get advice from a lawyer? Did this Hollywood celebrity make use of a Reputation Management company to try and handle damage control? Was it for the sake of her latest film Machete?
Whatever the hope was for these posts, they seem to have missed the mark. Lindsay now faces jail time and for her stumbles on her path to recovery she has lost the respect of a lot of those keen to see her repent and reach sobriety.
At least we didn’t lose Paris Hilton too…
Trouble at Twinings as Employees Treated Like Mugs
There’s been trouble brewing for a while now at Twinings as the company announced last November that they were shifting 263 jobs to Poland from their UK-based North Shields plant by September 2011.
Twinings have been selling their wares to the world for over 300 years and pride themselves as being one of the first companies to introduce tea to the British public and being recognised globally as a quality brand. But with the cuts at North Shields and another 129 at their Andover facility, employees are making a lot of noise and causing their bosses a lot of public image concerns.
Twinings are in the spotlight again as they surprise staff by informing them that they’ll be tasked with training their Polish replacements prior to being laid off. Neutral observers will be wondering how these Polish counterparts will blend in, as there’s expected to be a lot of animosity towards them, even if unjustified, and is an entirely new kettle of fish.
The British Tea company sanctioned the move in a bid to optimise the company’s efficiency, but has served far more to damage the company’s reputation and serve as an overall hinderance as top bosses find themself in hot water over their latest decision. Cases like this used to be handled by traditional public relations companies, but with the long-term damage to Twinings‘ image being apparent on ever-present internet sites – the need for online reputation management speaks for itself.
With information being so readily available online from news reports to online bloggers looking to let off a bit of steam, stories like this don’t “go away” just because it’s no longer in the paper or on the TV. I guess it all boils down to how important you feel your image is to your continued success, especially in today’s rocky economic climate.
Don’t let yourself get scolded by bad press.
Policlinico Hospital’s Doctors Brawl Over Woman In Labour
A hospital in Italy has been left reeling as two of it’s top doctors broke out in a fight whilst attending to a woman in labour.
Sicilian residents must be left wondering who they can trust after gynaecologist Antonio De Vivo and duty obstetrician Vincenzo Benedetto broke out into a fight after arguing over the need for a caesarean as Laura Salpietro went into labour last week. It’s reported that De Vivo, having had his collar grabbed, put his first through a glass window in the heat of what was an extremely unprofessional punchup.
Mother Laura Salpietro and newborn son Antonio have both been left in intensive care after their horrible ordeal with the Italian hospital. The incident has sparked four separate investigations, from the hospital authorities, a local prosecutor, the regional health authority and the ministry of health in Rome. Meanwhile, the gynaecologist De Vivo said simply “I merely say that in this matter I am the wronged party and I was attacked.” I think it’s fair to say that there are two clear victims in all of this, and the doctor ranks as neither.
Italy has one of the lowest maternal mortality rates in the world, but incidents like this aren’t about to help this hospital’s reputation at all. News of such barbarity is likely to cast a shadow of doubt over the sanctity of Sicilian healthcare, despite the two doctors both being suspended last Thursday. People come to hospitals mostly at times of intense vulnerability, and we like to feel assured that we’re placing ourselves in good hands. Women especially feel most vulnerable during childbirth, and the actions of these doctors wont be putting any minds at ease any time soon.
The reputation of hospitals are their life blood. They need people to be able to put their trust in them, and to come to them with their ailments. Should the bond of trust be broken, and the faith destroyed, then patients will think twice before using their facilities.
Like the doctors in question, judgement is currently suspended on Policlinico Hospital’s reputation. For an establishment that bases it’s entire business on life and death decisions, is there any room for uncertainty?
Posted in Bad Press | 
Tags: doctors fight, doctors reputation management, hospital reputation, Italian Doctors, Policlinico Hospital | 
1 Comment »
Your Business on Google Places
Six in Ten consumers have confirmed that their decision on where to buy, which hotel to stay and where to travel is purely based on the experience of others. So does your business have a hold on its online reputation?
Google’s two ways conversation for business reviews on its Google Places is an extension of your business to respond to online reviews. As a result, business owners can retort to both negative and positive reviews for their businesses which are left on their Google Places profile.
One of the best things about Google Places is its ability to allow average or small business owners to control their reputation online. Unlike before when customers and clients leave feedback, comments and reviews in website and business owners had no way to respond to those reviews.
Google’s John Maguire states
Engaging with the people who have shared their thoughts about your business is a great way to get to know your customers and find out more.
Google Places allow business owners to deal with their reputation in a better way because this allows them to respond to reviews both positive and negative with same perception as the reviewer. Business houses have to take ownership of their listing; many businesses do not maintain ownership of their Google Places listing which results in damaging their reputation and their business while the business owners remain ignorant.
“A gift for you”, will the blood diamonds stain Naomi Campbell’s reputation for good?
Naomi Campbell has been summoned to appear in court on Thursday by the prosecutors of the Charles Taylor’s trial for crimes against humanity. The prosecution at the Special Court for Sierra Leone at The Hague claimed that Taylor gave a “blood diamond” to the British supermodel during a 1997 trip to South Africa.
Ms Campbell had stated in April that she “never received a diamond” – and refused to talk any further about the allegation. Later she told the chat show host Oprah Winfrey she feared for her safety if she became involved in the case.” These two contradictory statements made by the super model have dragged her into the case trial.
The story states that Campbell was given the stones at night following a 1997 dinner hosted by Nelson Mandela. “A Gift for you” is all what the two gentlemen who gave her the diamond said. When she realised it was not a few dirty looking stones, but real un-cut diamonds, she handed it over to her friend, whose name she hasn’t disclosed.
Taylor’s trail began in Hague in January 2008. He is accused of supporting rebels in Sierra Leone’s in 1991-2002 civil war. The Liberian Civil War, which was one of Africa’s bloodiest, claimed the lives of more than 200,000 Liberians and further displaced a million others into refugee camps in neighbouring countries.
The boiling feelings of the inhuman activities are prone to affect the reputation of the super model which is not new to controversy. Will Naomi Campbell be able to come out clean and will her reputation finally affect her work? The world has to wait till the court appearance on Thursday.
How important it is to reply to the reviews?
Replying to reviews on your website is an important part of your online process. It is time that business small and big should start thinking about this seriously. Reviews may be good or bad, responding to them adds to the credibility of the company. It is also a part of your online reputation management that sustains your online image. To remain aloof to reviews is an unprofessional approach which reflects on the reputation of the company.
But what needs to be dealt with care is how you respond to reviews, as part of your business goodwill you need to understand that you are addressing the issue brought up in the review. The review may criticize your way of doing business, and as a responsible business house you need to take it from there while clarifying your position. This move will induce confidence and respect and customers feel privileged that you responded to their likes. Review sites are great platforms to build a solid rapport with your business associates. Responding to reviews generates a feeling that you are taking seriously what is been said, and that you intend fixing the issue.
Reviews are a mirror to your business that shows where your business or brand stands. It clearly shows how people perceive your company. A chance to amend flaws or even mend what is lacking. Lately it has been seen that nearly every company in today’s era pay attention to what is been said online. The race is in keeping the company customer friendly and leaving no stones unturned to achieve that goal. Nevertheless doing so surely enhances the friendliness of the company and builds a positive image. One should be really objective when replying to the reviews, as it’s a part of official dialogue.
Being pro-active in answering to your reviews shows the users that you care about them and this enhances your goodwill. So companies need to take every chance to respond to reviews and critics as this is an integral part of your reputation management.
Dudley do right for BP?
BP is making some serious PR changes quite like how political parties field local guys for elections Robert Dudley comes in waving the American flag. We hear about him talking of his times fishing and swimming in Mississippi growing up. While outgoing CEO Tony Hayward has termed the oil spill crisis like “stepping out from the pavement and being hit by a bus”. He seems to be stepping down to appease the masses.
BP will have its first non-British CEO and this is sending a message to the US that they have someone who will think about their side of the story – someone who has a genuine interest in cleaning up the mess and someone who has admitted to facing colossal issues to tide over the problem. Bob Dudley sure seems like the man we need.
BP also needs to understand the horror people feel knowing that stringent security measures could have averted this enormous problem. Well there is also the politics of further deep sea drilling to considered and the oil lobby’s sheer power on the other side. BP has made quite a few PR duds to its credit, like publishing full page glossy advertisements, censoring press and sponsoring events during the crisis. Hardly the right time to seem looking for PR and not to mention the neat retirement amount and pension fund that Tony Hayward is set to take away.
Whoever made a lot of the decisions that BP made needs to go and that is where the new CEO steps in. And this is what Dudley said..
“We will fulfill the promises we’ve made”
“Meeting our commitments is critical for BP’s long-term success. Taking over this role, I will not reduce my commitment in the region.”
“It’s not our intention to exit the U.S. nor do we believe we will have to. We fully intend to maintain those businesses and restore our position in the Gulf.”
Posted in Bad Press, Company Reputation, Damage Limitation, Examples | Tags: Bad Press, BP, BP Oil crisis, New Chief, Oil Spill, Robert Dudley, Tony Hayward | 1 Comment »
Reputation management, a solid formula is also essential for small corporations
Is reputation management more important a matter to small businesses than to large corporations? Yes, small companies have a lot more to lose from a storm of negative comments and it can actually destroy them when compared to a multi million dollar firm that has the deep pockets to afford such an awful attack. A small company may not be often able to wait or counteract in accordance with big corporations.
But there is always a solution for small firms to control their online reputation by taking a proactive approach by constantly using organic SEO to boost positive listings in SERPs, address negative publicity swiftly and professionally.
Reputation management has always been a success factor in ensuring a company’s success. Online reputation management involves maintaining your company’s positive image over the web and combating the negative publicity as soon as it arises.
With a plethora of sites through which consumers exchange their ideas, the anonymity that the Internet provides may encourage disgruntled customers to voice the bad experiences with a sole purpose of sabotaging the company in question. Unfortunately no matter how well a business is run, there will always be dissatisfied customers who will take to the Internet no matter how willingly you try to address the situation.
Transparency is always important in managing your online reputation. When faced with such scrutiny, it’s best to address these problems directly instead of hoping or assuming they’ll clear all on their own. Let your customers know what you are doing to improve your company’s brand image and when problems seem to arise, make them know your side of the story as well.
Of course, it’s far easier to have reputation management services from experts and work on building your business and products better.
Reputation management- A useful way to track the competition
Back in the day, if somebody wanted to bad-mouth your business, they had to risk their own reputation to do so. Nowadays they can do it with the aid of thousands of social networking and blog sites with complete animosity. If someone posts a false or a malicious comment or blog, they can go without being noticed – being one among the numerous sites online. So, it’s tempting and easy to be malicious.
Reputation management is more than a service simply for those people who have had negative content levelled against them online. ORM is predominantly for protecting your reputation and keeping it consistent for the entire duration. By paying attention to your customers, you can ensure that you are always offering them what they want, and can adapt your advertising as to attract other potential customers to your custom.
When you open the social media floodgates, you create a channel for people to come and ask help for their various issues. So they may either ask you questions about the various products or services, or it might be a disgruntled customer who is posting negative comments about you, because they are dissatisfied about your product or service.
It is important to monitor your business online:
If you cannot monitor your brand on your own, then you need to make use of the services of an online reputation management firm like Reputation Management For.com, who will do the trick of helping you build, regain and protect your brand name. We offer various services and packages and have great tools and systems in place to protect your name online; it will ultimately help you to have complete control of your business.