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Reputation in Kiev

7th October
2007
written by Dr. Leslie Gaines-Ross

kiev1.jpgSpent a few days this past week in Kiev at a reputation conference. The gathering was organized by the Ukrainian division of the European PR Congress. Our distinguished colleagues at Weber Shandwick/PRP were involved in the conference and had extended the invitation to me to speak about Safeguarding Reputation.

It was reassuring to know that reputation management could fill an agenda for two days in

Kiev. Like others I know, sometimes Americans and Western Europeans think that they have a monopoly on reputation management. Realizing that companies and countries around the world are equally concerned about how best to manage their reputations is exciting and humbling.

Many of the themes that I encounter in my work resonated throughout the conference:   

  1. Business leadership is keyReality lags perception
  2. Communications people have to earn a seat at the table
  3. If reputation is only managed through the media, it is not adding value
  4. Do not focus on reputation management only when you need it
  5. Integrate communications with other internal functions
  6. Have both short term and long term reputation strategies
  7. Balance tactics with strategy
  8. There is no textbook on reputation management
  9. Communicate with your many stakeholders 
  10. CEOs matter

One of my favorite thoughts came from Paul Holmes who covers the public relations and reputation management industry. He said that reputation is what stakeholders say about you when you leave the room. Well said. Could not agree more.

Tags:
Blogroll, CEO reputation, reputation

2 Comments

  1. Yaryna Klyuchkovska
    08/10/2007

    Dear Dr. Gainer-Ross,
    It was a tremendous pleasure and an honor to have you among the speakers of our 2nd annual European PR Congress in Kyiv. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on reputation management with PR professionals in Kyiv. We believe that the Congress and the feedback we receive from our international speakers helps us achieve our mission to integrate the Ukrainian PR industry into the international professional community.
    -Yaryna Klyuchkovska, chair of the board, the Ukrainian Association of Public Relations

  2. Dr. Leslie Gaines-Ross
    08/10/2007

    Yaryna, thank you for your kind comment. I truly enjoyed the conference and learned a great deal about reputation management in the Ukraine. Best, lgr

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