Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Crisis Management 101: Understand the magnitude of the problem and get PR help quickly
By: Cole Buergi, Senior Account Executive, Leonard & Finco Public Relations, Inc.
The sexual abuse accusations against assistant coach Jerry Sandusky at PENN State University has destroyed a once pristine image of a college steeped in rich history, championship athletics and an educational experience second to none.
The school is now reeling from backlash as more details surface about the extent of the alleged abuse and who knew what and when.
Examining this from a pure public relations perspective, the university’s leadership has failed in the handling of this crisis. The incredibly slow response by the college to even acknowledge there was a crisis shows me just how much the school believed in its own infallibility.
The leadership appears to have completely ignored the magnitude of the problem and to get outside PR help immediately to make efforts to stay out in front of the story. Only recently has the school hired an outside PR firm, skilled in crisis management, more than a week after the first news story appeared about the abuse.
During that time, the university’s famed head coach Joe Paterno was forcibly retired, students have protested in the streets, more victims are coming to light and the depth of who knew what and when is starting to become known.
Hindsight is 20/20, but all PR experts know that when in a crisis mode, the first thing to do is assess the situation to determine its magnitude and then immediately assemble the resources to address the issue. In this case, hire outside PR experts! The goal is to get out in front of the story, working to shape the message and minimize the damage to your brand.
The university did none of this and now the story is out of their control. In fact, their lack of reaction is only adding to the appearance of complacency with the happenings around them.
If brought on board immediately, could a crisis management team have saved the university’s reputation? That answer can never be known, but a swift, proactive response would have definitely helped give the impression the school was working to find out the truth instead of cover it up.
Only time will tell if the PR team can salvage or rebuild the image of this famed college.
I’m curious to know what our readers think about it. If the university’s leadership had reacted more quickly, could the story have taken a different direction and not done as much damage to the college’s image? What do you think they should do now moving forward?
The school is now reeling from backlash as more details surface about the extent of the alleged abuse and who knew what and when.
Examining this from a pure public relations perspective, the university’s leadership has failed in the handling of this crisis. The incredibly slow response by the college to even acknowledge there was a crisis shows me just how much the school believed in its own infallibility.
The leadership appears to have completely ignored the magnitude of the problem and to get outside PR help immediately to make efforts to stay out in front of the story. Only recently has the school hired an outside PR firm, skilled in crisis management, more than a week after the first news story appeared about the abuse.
During that time, the university’s famed head coach Joe Paterno was forcibly retired, students have protested in the streets, more victims are coming to light and the depth of who knew what and when is starting to become known.
Hindsight is 20/20, but all PR experts know that when in a crisis mode, the first thing to do is assess the situation to determine its magnitude and then immediately assemble the resources to address the issue. In this case, hire outside PR experts! The goal is to get out in front of the story, working to shape the message and minimize the damage to your brand.
The university did none of this and now the story is out of their control. In fact, their lack of reaction is only adding to the appearance of complacency with the happenings around them.
If brought on board immediately, could a crisis management team have saved the university’s reputation? That answer can never be known, but a swift, proactive response would have definitely helped give the impression the school was working to find out the truth instead of cover it up.
Only time will tell if the PR team can salvage or rebuild the image of this famed college.
I’m curious to know what our readers think about it. If the university’s leadership had reacted more quickly, could the story have taken a different direction and not done as much damage to the college’s image? What do you think they should do now moving forward?
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Looking to Increase Your Search? Turn to Google+ Pages
For businesses and brands, increasing your Google search results just got a little easier. Google recently launched its Google+ Pages, which helps businesses and brands set up an online presence and acts as another avenue to connect with customers and fans.
You may be wondering, how is this any different than Facebook or Twitter pages? It’s a question that crossed my mind as well and from my research I found that it’s similar in respect to companies being able to set up an online identity. But Google offers something extra with Google+ Pages, higher ranking in Google search results. Google+ Pages are added to Google search results, making it quick and easy to come across pages with a simple “+” sign.
Now, you could do a search for “Fox News Facebook” or “Fox News Twitter” and the pages will appear at the top of the search results. But by simply typing a “+” in front of the company name or brand, for instance “+Fox News,” the Google+ Page appears. Or, to make things even simpler you could type “+F” and get a listing of all the Google+ Pages for businesses and brands that start with the letter F. The lists of pages are small right now, but I am sure the lists will grow in the coming weeks and into the future.
Google+ Pages offer another option for any company looking to establish a presence on the Internet. People can add the pages to their Google Circles in order to follow the business or brand and select a “+1” to publicly recommend the page on Google. Google+ Pages might not be right for every company, but it’s definitely something you’ll want to check out.
What do you think of Google’s newest launch? What type of an impact do you think Google+ Pages will have?
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Remember a Veteran on 11-11-11!
By: Scott Stein, Sr. Account Executive, Leonard & Finco Public Relations, Inc.
A week or so ago I was visiting my favorite store, Festival Foods in De Pere. I normally don’t go down the aisle with the greeting cards, but for some reason I did on this day (probably to avoid another congested aisle). As I strolled past the greeting cards I noticed a new section of cards commemorating Veterans Day.
I don’t ever remember seeing cards for Veterans Day, even though the greeting card industry seems to create many new holidays or observances just to sell more of their product. But the small display of Veterans Day cards really hit me. Maybe it’s because my 89-year-old dad is a Navy veteran who served during World War II and in Korea and I’m not sure how many more Veterans Days he’ll have to celebrate.
So I checked out the different cards. There were cards for dads who are veterans, as well as cards for specific branches of the Armed Forces. It was actually a tough decision, but I settled on a card that I liked and now I just have to remember to get it in the mail so it arrives at the right time.
I don’t send or give cards very often, usually just birthdays for special people in my life. Of course, each Christmas I also vow that I will consider sending Christmas cards next year. But sending a card to the very special veteran in my life just feels right; it’s an opportunity to say thanks for everything he’s done for me and for our country.
I’d encourage you to join me this Veterans Day. Send a card to the special veteran in your life. Even if you don’t have a close relative who is a veteran, surely you know someone who has bravely served his or her country and would appreciate being remembered on 11-11-11.
I don’t ever remember seeing cards for Veterans Day, even though the greeting card industry seems to create many new holidays or observances just to sell more of their product. But the small display of Veterans Day cards really hit me. Maybe it’s because my 89-year-old dad is a Navy veteran who served during World War II and in Korea and I’m not sure how many more Veterans Days he’ll have to celebrate.
So I checked out the different cards. There were cards for dads who are veterans, as well as cards for specific branches of the Armed Forces. It was actually a tough decision, but I settled on a card that I liked and now I just have to remember to get it in the mail so it arrives at the right time.
I don’t send or give cards very often, usually just birthdays for special people in my life. Of course, each Christmas I also vow that I will consider sending Christmas cards next year. But sending a card to the very special veteran in my life just feels right; it’s an opportunity to say thanks for everything he’s done for me and for our country.
I’d encourage you to join me this Veterans Day. Send a card to the special veteran in your life. Even if you don’t have a close relative who is a veteran, surely you know someone who has bravely served his or her country and would appreciate being remembered on 11-11-11.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Christmas is only 58 days away! Are you ready yet?
By: Kristen Paquet, Account Executive, Leonard & Finco Public Relations, Inc.
Holiday visions of a beautifully decorated house, the aroma of cookies baking in the oven and gifts wrapped and placed under the tree are meant to portray the perfect holiday setting. But let’s face it, for many of us, the holidays can quickly become one big ball of stress. Between the shopping, visiting family, parties, wrapping and baking, there is just a lot to do.
So I have decided to create my own holiday tradition: Do as much activity and holiday prep as I can using technology. This will include:
What I’m wondering, though is if there are any good apps or websites that other people use to help make holiday prep a bit easier. Please share!
Oops… our countdown lost a few minutes… better get started!
So I have decided to create my own holiday tradition: Do as much activity and holiday prep as I can using technology. This will include:
- I’ll get my holiday shopping started while sitting on the couch and visiting my favorite websites. Don’t you just love Cyber Monday?
- No worries about a holiday card this year! I’ll just pick a photo of the kids from one of the many dozens I have stored on my computer (who prints out pictures?) and make my own e-card to send to everyone in my email contact list.
- My husband is impossible to shop for. Instead of wandering around the mall, I’ll just send out a quick tweet asking anyone following me for suggestions. Or maybe it should be a Facebook poll…
- Kid’s holiday concerts are at two different schools at the same time. Not a problem. My husband and I will divide and conquer. He’ll Skype me in via his cell phone while at my son’s concert and I’ll do the same for my husband while I’m at our daughter’s concert. Multi-tasking at its very best.
- Cookie baking will be a breeze this year. I’ll just whip up as many cyber-cookies as I can with my new Cookie Maker app. I can “mix” the batter and even decorate my cookies and send them to friends. It’s just as good as the real thing and no calories to count!
What I’m wondering, though is if there are any good apps or websites that other people use to help make holiday prep a bit easier. Please share!
Oops… our countdown lost a few minutes… better get started!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Link Up with LinkedIn
By Kristin Rabas, Account Executive, Leonard & Finco Public Relations, Inc.
This past week, I gave a presentation for a Green Bay Chamber of Commerce event about LinkedIn and how to use it for networking, a job hunt, recruiting and to grow your business. There were a number of great questions and it got me to thinking that a little refresher on the basics of LinkedIn might be helpful.
- Networking. Search for people you’ve recently met at business or networking events, former and current co-workers, professional friends and industry leaders.
- Adding connections. When adding connections, mention how you know the person in your invitation. For instance, “It was great meeting you at the Chamber breakfast yesterday and chatting about social media. I’d like to connect with you on LinkedIn.”
- Groups. Search for and join groups that will benefit you professionally. Look for groups that are specific to your industry, alumni associations or groups that interest you. Groups offer forums for discussions on a variety of topics.
- Job Search. There are a number of ways to search for jobs on LinkedIn. Job opportunities can be posted in any group, on a company’s home page or you can search for positions right from your profile page.
- Profile. Make sure your profile looks professional. LinkedIn is not as casual as Facebook. Start by making sure you have a nice headshot as your profile picture, not one of you on the beach during your last vacation. In addition, keep your work experience, education and specialties up-to-date. You never know when the right person might be looking at your page.
- Complete your profile. Make sure your profile is 100 percent complete. LinkedIn will make automatic recommendations on people you should connect with and jobs you may be interested in based on your profile. The more complete your profile is, the more accurate your recommendations will be.
- Accepting connections. Remember that one of the main purposes of LinkedIn is to network and connect with others. If you don’t know a person that asks to connect with you, don’t be afraid to reach out to them and say you would like to know more about them before you connect.
LinkedIn can be an extremely useful tool when it comes to networking, looking for a job and growing your business.
What aspects of LinkedIn do you utilize the most?
Friday, October 7, 2011
Tribute to a Visionary
By: Cole Buergi, Senior Account Executive, Leonard & Finco Public Relations, Inc.
The world lost an icon and visionary when Apple co-founder Steve Jobs lost his battle with cancer. I consider Jobs to be the Ben Franklin of our time, pioneering some of the greatest technological advances in computers and portable technology which has forever changed the world.
It seems almost impossible now, but try to imagine our world without smart phone technology; lightweight, portable music players; or powerful, tablets designed for ease of use and portability. For many, the world would seem to stop if we couldn’t text, share a post on Facebook or Tweet an update from our phone.
Add in the ever expanding world of apps that was created to fuel this technology and you would be hard pressed to find anyone in the world that hasn’t been impacted in some way by Jobs’ vision.
I was in grade school when Apple first competed head to head for the public’s growing appetite for personal computers, ultimately losing out to the PC in much of the business world yet managing to secure a stable following in the school systems.
Reflecting back on his life, I wonder how things would have been different had Apple computers become the standard for the business world in the 80s and 90s. Instead of playing catch up for much of those two decades, what kinds of wonderful technologies could have Apple, with Jobs’ leadership, created?
We’ll never know but I thank Jobs and Apple for the technology they did create. I currently own an iPod and iPhone 3 and I’m looking forward to getting the iPhone 4s when it’s available locally. These are just two of the many technologies that have bettered my personal and professional life.
Thinking about your own life, how has Jobs’ vision impacted your daily activities?
It seems almost impossible now, but try to imagine our world without smart phone technology; lightweight, portable music players; or powerful, tablets designed for ease of use and portability. For many, the world would seem to stop if we couldn’t text, share a post on Facebook or Tweet an update from our phone.
Add in the ever expanding world of apps that was created to fuel this technology and you would be hard pressed to find anyone in the world that hasn’t been impacted in some way by Jobs’ vision.
I was in grade school when Apple first competed head to head for the public’s growing appetite for personal computers, ultimately losing out to the PC in much of the business world yet managing to secure a stable following in the school systems.
Reflecting back on his life, I wonder how things would have been different had Apple computers become the standard for the business world in the 80s and 90s. Instead of playing catch up for much of those two decades, what kinds of wonderful technologies could have Apple, with Jobs’ leadership, created?
We’ll never know but I thank Jobs and Apple for the technology they did create. I currently own an iPod and iPhone 3 and I’m looking forward to getting the iPhone 4s when it’s available locally. These are just two of the many technologies that have bettered my personal and professional life.
Thinking about your own life, how has Jobs’ vision impacted your daily activities?
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