Reputation management has become increasingly important in the social media age. This pertains to the reputation of individual leaders as well as corporations. What does your workforce say about your brand and your business? Are you able to effectively leverage goodwill that you have worked to establish with customers and staff? These are key questions for all employers because of this simple truth: Perception is reality.
A strong corporate reputation is important in terms of determining the viability and value of the business. Stakeholders pay significant attention to your image and good name of your enterprise. In addition to the financial implications, it behooves leaders to pay close attention to the perceptions of prospective talent as they choose where to work, and for whom. As new talent continues entering the workforce, leaders need to understand that prospective employees are constantly evaluating their options. They are keenly interested in being associated with a brand that is admired and respected. And they have a myriad of choices. Your brand reputation, as well as your personal reputation, will significantly influence the career decisions.
In May, 2018, Starbucks came under scrutiny over an incident that occurred at one of their stores in Philadelphia, sparking a global outcry over racial profiling. The company moved swiftly by closing their doors across 8,000 locations to give employees diversity and inclusion training. The example illustrates the implications of a brand being tarnished not only in the eyes of consumers and shareholders, but also for potential recruits as they consider their future employment preferences.
Every business is looking to maintain a competitive advantage. Reputation plays a significant part of the equation in providing your business with an intangible, yet invaluable benefit that cannot be glossed over with rhetoric. People believe what they see. Therefore it is incumbent on leaders to ensure that their words and actions are in perfect alignment in order to attract customers and employees alike.
This article is a transcript of a video on YouTube.
Michelle Ray (Twitter) is one of the best international leadership keynote speakers in Vancouver. She helps you discover your potential through presentations, coaching and consulting. With over 20 years of experience Michelle has worked with hundreds of companies around the world. She is taking bookings for speaking engagements and can be contacted at MichelleRay.com
