Are we prepared to address a crisis of the client?

All organizations irrespective of its name and fame, image and reputation are vulnerable for crisis at one time or the other. A crisis can’t be avoided if it has to happen. Take an example of Reliance Industries Limited, a name of fame for a big Corporate in India has been thrown in to peril overnight with rumors of conspiracy allegedly hatched by its big wigs to eliminate A.P CM This is an unexpected and shocking thing Reliance people never would have expected to happen. But the same has been boiled down now with strategy adopted by reliance not react to the attributions of the politicians a lot. In the crisis management, the tough situation faced by Reliance Industries fall in the category of “Crisis of Rumours”. Same is the case with ICICI Bank last year which had adopted a perfect crisis plan to stabilize the organization back its position.EMRI crisis is another example.Infact EMRI has faced various types of crises with the debacle of Satyam Computers.The main crises were “ Crisis of Management Irregularities” and “ Crisis of Rumours”.We at Blue lotus were crucial to address the “Crisis of rumours” preveting EMRI from excessive media glare for negative articles and subsequently and gaining back its credibility in the media.

“Crisis at work place”

Crises are of various types and impact of each crisis is differing from the other. Crisis at work place generally happen with the termination of services of senior management personnel, irregularities in the business deals, Strikes etc. Some are known crises while the other happen overnight unexpectedly. Strikes are a known “crisis at work place” unlike the other. Unfortunately, with most crisis situations you rarely have time to react in an orderly or thoughtful manner.

Plan for an anticipated crisis at work place

In this case you have ample time to prepare a perfect plan for your crisis. Prepare a crisis managing plan accordingly with anticipated impact on the organization. You are in a Pre-incident stage, which involves identification of potential crisis situations and developing contingency plans for responding to each of them. Please avoid any media glare well in advance. Prepare for senior staff being ambushed by Journos.Train them how react to media queries. If ambushed by media ask them be patient and not to be rude. If they pour in the questions, ask media for a legitimate excuse hinting at providing all info at a PC.The media must not be ignored during a crisis. TV is the most important medium. Set up a communication process with the media as quickly as possible. The most senior staff must take charge and be seen as company spokes person. Focus on your feelings about the situation, and how it will be prevented from happening again. Become the single most authoritative source of information about the crisis. Keep a close eye on media coverage, and take every opportunity to correct inaccurate reporting. Give the reporter a legitimate excuse

Tollywood ban all Film Shoots in OZ

The sorry out come of Australians racial attacks on Indians has forced Tollywood (Telugu Film Industry) take the decision to ban all shootings in oz from now onwards. Better late than never goes the adage with tollywood coming openly in support of the Indian students toeing the line of Amitabh Bachan in the wake of unceasing attacks on Indians.Bollywood legend Amitabh has earlier renounced a doctorate degree from OZ university raising his voice against the attacks showing solidarity towards Indian Students.Tollywood has now requested its film fraternity to ban all shooting schedules in OZ opt for Europe instead. In the current scenario Australia is no more a safe country for film shootings. At one point or the other Film crew may also be attacked but already it is too late to shield our selves from the racists, they opine.Infact the decision must be welcomed by all and other organizations must take the cue from Tollywood.It is high time they took note of it and banned all activities in Australia.

Do you feel Bollywood and other regional film industries must take the cue from Tollywood?

Do you justify the decision of Tollywood & appeal to stay away from film shoots in OZ?

Above review is based on news published in a regional daily. Click the link below.http://www.udayavani.com/showstory.asp?news=0&contentid=660610&lang=1

Core Values / Code Provisions of Public Relations

Public relations have a deep penetration in the society even during the 19th Century with different work forms which are similar to the PR functions of today’s world. But the definition of PR was unclear. In 1950 Public relations Society of America (PRSA) a recognized body has enacted the first professional standards for the practice of Public relations. The same has been last revised in the year of 2000 and six core values and code of provisions have been added to Practice the Public relations in a professional way. In 1988 PRSA governing body has formally adopted a definition of Public Relations as “PR helps an organization and its publics adapt mutually to each othger.The definition has been accepted widely by many across the globe.

PRSA SETS six core values for the practice of PR

Ø Advocacy
Ø Honesty
Ø Expertise
Ø Independence
Ø Loyalty
Ø Fairness

PRSA SETS six code Provisions for the practice of PR

Ø Free Flow of Information
Ø Competition
Ø Disclosure of Information
Ø Safeguarding Confidences
Ø Conflicts of Interest
Ø Enhancing the Profession

PR industry remained springy and Digital PR showed remarkable growth in Recession.

Recession has gone from bad to worse affecting world countries a lot ever since it kick started in the month of sept 2008.Organizations of various industries have been affected by the down turn and some of them had to shut the doors for ever. While recession left many industry sectors in tatters what is the effect it on PR industry? Even though some surveys expound recession has little effect on PR industry and it remained springy, of course not cheerful, but reasonably optimistic. The recession has forced public relations and corporate communication professionals work longer hours, deal with added responsibilities and stress, and perform within reduced budgets.
Thanks to the down turn which made an alarming difference in perceptions between PR agencies and Corp Corm Professionals regarding the working relationship between them. Meeting deadlines, Good Client Services, centralized focus on client needs, importance of crisis management, greater consumer activism, and working on tighter budgets with maximum mileage were explored.
Big corporates used to work with more than one PR agencies for their different products have shown way to the one which is incompetent and have entrusted the responsibilities to one agency as part of their cost cutting major. Work load has been divided between only the most sought after agencies.
Luckily there are certain areas in the PR industry which have seen expansion in recession too. The greatest growth we can see in digital PR, followed by reputation management, crisis management and strategic planning as per a survey conducted in USA and the areas that have seen decline and perhaps a great threat were sponsorship, event management and branding and marketing.
The survey did bring some good news for consultancies both in terms of business stability and client new growth. In the past year, some 33 per cent of consultants have retained more than 10 regular clients and some 60 per cent have added between two and five new clients.

Is Freedom of Press……..aberrating from its path?

Yes Media has freedom to air their views / Organize a debate / Discussion….on any topic and bring the truth to the notice of all……yes they must bring the grievances of the people to the notice of Government for a solution…….at the same time they must be very cautious with certain events / incidents coverage which may have immediate impact on the people / viewers. They need to anticipate the reaction from the viewers and sensitivity of the topic of discussion which may disturb the peace and create commotion. The topic of discussion must be verified to find out authenticity and veracity of the information and pros and cons of the issue before being aired. A Programme on the death of Former Chief Minister Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy is a perfect example of the sensitivity and the developments aftermath of the discussions being carried out by TV5 television Channel.……..TV Channels now a days have in great demand for instant news coverage. People get instant information with in no time of an hour or two. Electronic media has mass media presence. Even minor fault may reflect with unheard of response from its viewers. As many as 16 Telugu TV channels are in fray in A.P. for 24X 7 news coverage. Breaking news is very important to all TV channels to increase their TRPs.

On media Perspective:

Media has freedom to discuss and debate on any issue to bring the truth to the notice of public. TV 5 Channel did the same .The news was in the interest of A.P people and the topic is about the beloved leader of A.P.The discussion was based on a news article published in an online portal called exiledonline.com which is a Russia based news portal and the news was published after the death of YSR saying a conspiracy being hatched by Reliance group to eliminate him. Because there is no headway in the investigation alleged by TV 5 News channel, They took up the news and organized a debate / discussion on it highlighting the dilution in the process. TV channel has freedom to conduct a debate on it as it is in the interest of 8crores people of A.P.The arrest of the editors of the News Channel must be condemned by all.

On Government Perspective:

Government has great responsibility to keep the law and order in control and maintain peace in the state. Sensitive issues that disturb the peace must be avoided. At the same time they need to bring the investigation reports to the notice of all to maintain transparency on its end.

On Society Perspective……..

Are the TV channels leaving their ethics / responsibilities to the wind to increasing their TRPs? Being organizations of great repute Electronic media organizations have no responsibility for the society?

Breaking news on no proper information is fair? Don’t they know the great momentum of a single line scroll even? Are they ready to own up the responsibility of each story they telecast on various issues which have no authenticity.

A news story on the death of Former Chief Minister of A.P.Late.Y.S.R is an example of their rat race for top slot than the responsibility towards the society. TV 5 Channel has aired a news story basing on the information published 4months back in a Russian website on the death of former Chief Minister YSR.It was almost 2 hour long discussion on the TV channel where in they have portrayed the big wigs of Reliance Group are responsible for the death of YSR.They have cited one Russian website news story as the proof of conspiracy being hatched by Corporate Company.

What is the authenticity of the website? How renowned Channels simply rely on some news story published somewhere in the world as the source for their hours long news story.Is it a news portal of great repute in world Countries? NO

The Impact of Story:

The corporate Company shops / Offices across A.P have been vandalized and its year’s long image has been damaged overnight with the news stories that have no authenticity. Do the TV channels fetch the image back to the corporate? If CBI submits the details on it, will the channel gets the diluted image back to the corporate? No.

A.P is in volatile situation a lot with TELANGANA issue. It’s been two months ever since movement for separate state kick started and state has been thrown into fickle.News stories like this will definitely aggravates the situation. TV Channels must exercise their discretion and stay away from airing such stories.

Want to live longer? Maintain Stable marital Relationship

Health is wealth goes the adage……… tells how important the health is? In the olden days complains of health problems are fewer as compared to now inspite of having no proper medical facilities.The only reason is enough body exercise and pollution free environment.It doesn’t mean every body in olden days were performing YOGA.The search for food and lively hood made their body move strnously which ultimately have provided them enough body exercise.We are juggling in a world where in we pay no attention to our health until some disease grips us showing its effects on the body. Till we realize the fact it’s too late to shield ourselves from the ailment.We don’t do much exercise and healthy practices are at a bleak which ultimately strip away valuable years reducing our life span. Good health is for longer life and bad addictions reduce the life span.

See the facts Dr Trisha Macnair penned in her book 'The Long Life Equation'

Suggestions for long life:

Ø Washing your hands adds two years to your life

Ø Good Dental Hygiene can add six more years in your life.

Ø Regular exercise also adds as much as two or more years to your life

A 2006 study from University of California in Los Angeles showed that men and women live healthier, wealthier, happier and longer lives when they are in a stable partnership

Ø A stable partnership can actually add on seven years to life. Regular exercise also adds as much as two or more years to your life.
Ø A divorce can also strip away 3 years from your life, as it takes longer-lasting, emotional and physical toll on former spouses than virtually any other life stress.

Bad Habits strip away valuable years

Ø Smoking, fast food, no exercise and a stressful life can strip away 20 years

Ø Cigarette smoking can actually reduce 8 years from your life

Are we planning the Media or Media Planning ?

Are we planning the Media or Media Planning ?

Media Planning ……A word very frequently used in PR agencies as they deal with many events to organize successfully to get good mileage out of it in media and win acclaim of their clients. But many of us are not aware that the word “Media Planning” has different meaning in the corporate world.

We are working in PR agencies not to do Media Planning. We are here to prepare exact plan for media. Still we may have doubts what is the difference between Media Planning and Plan for Media or Planning Media. Yes there is a lot of difference between two words. The former talks about the idea of media buying while the latter gives the idea of how media can be mobilized for the event.

Generally we think Inviting Media to the event, Sending Releases / Invites to the media offices, Co-ordinating with the clients to organize the events etc are falling in Media Planning. Yes your PR plan is right but the word you are using for such a PR plan as “Media Planning” is incorrect. You can say it planning the media or PR plan for Media or PR strategy for Media. Then what is the exact definition of “Media Planning”? The answer is… “Media Planning” is one which gives the outline of how advertising space in various media will be booked in advance to achieve the marketing objectives of the company. Media Planning is a word used in an Advertising Agency /Corp Comm department where in a Corp Comm / Advertising person has to deal with ad space buying and preparing budgetary plan for the Company. Media planning is that which helps the planner choose right media for their product campaign and buy space for it and PR agencies has nothing to do with ads / space buying but focus on good mileage for the event in the media

When a client asks the PR person to give outline of their PR strategy for the event. Then PR Person has his own ideas to showcase and will do good presentation of it but unaware the exact meaning of it, he / she often speaks / write media planning for …….event and lose sheen before the client as unprofessional. While working with corporates even minor things matter a lot. We may take it easy but PR hirer may not compromise with minute faults even. He expects everything happen in a professional way.

Kindly share your ideas on the same and have your say…..

“acts of violence” occur in big Cities?

World countries must unite and raise their voice against racism to pull up the breeds.

It is amazing to read a news report of Julia Gillard, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia justifying the attacks on Indians saying “acts of violence” occur in big cities like Melbourne. Her statement not only adds more muscle to the assailants but also give a chance for more assaults. If the acts of violence occurs across the globe in big cities as per Gillard’s, why the reports are not coming out from any part of other countries. She says OZ is a safe place. How?

It is surprising to learn that Australia & Canada have been placed in the top slots as the safest countries in the world to live in according to a survey. The astonishing fact is that Australia has been ranked at 21st place as the safest country in the world with the onslaught on Indians still on and many feel it is a vulnerable place one should not opt for. Canada being vulnerable for racial attacks since years with fresh attacks on Indians adding to it recently in Vancour has been given 6th rank. Two Sikhs were attacked and killed by two racists 5 years back in Vancour. Racial attacks on Indians continued on and off since many years in Australia & Canada as per reports.

What is the basis for a survey to certify some countries as safest while others worst. Do they take terrorist attacks as the parameter to endorse it as the worst.Ofcourse Terrorism is the greatest challenge that breaks the relations among world countries. But I feel racism must equally be attested as the terrorism does. Racism is one such practice which really breaks the world peace sowing seeds of colour differences among all which ultimately spoils the fraternity and peace.

Martin Luther king, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela are some renowned names whom we need to salute for their attempts to uproot the racism from the society and creating brotherhood among all. Their struggle and sacrifices made us stand tall and move equally among all.

But the incidents in Australia prove that racial breeds are still alive showing their ugly face with the serial attacks on Indian students. It is high time world countries must unite and raise their voice against racism to pull up the breeds.

Do you feel OZ is a safest place to live in?

Kindly put in your valuable comments please……….

Link of the news:http://in.news.yahoo.com/48/20100106/1248/twl-oz-justifies-attacks-says-violence-o.html