Hush-Hush Doesn’t Work Anymore
In the past, it has been very common for companies and organizations to want to keep everything completely “hush-hush”. Whatever happens in the company stays in the company. This strategy may have worked in the past but now, if a company withholds information, they will be suspected of the worst. Clients and customers will start to wonder what they have to hide which will lead to either investigation or some level of distrust of the company.
Transparency is King
Social media is allowing companies to become transparent through the use of blogs, micro blogs, social networks and other social platforms. When a company is open and has nothing to hide, it makes their customers feel easier about doing business with them. On the other hand, in an age where many companies are sharing and opening up to the public, any company who is not will be suspect.
Transparency gives you Authority
Another reason to be transparent and let the public know about the inner workings of the company is because it gives you authority over the stories that break about your company. In these tough times some companies are finding themselves in a situation where they have to downsize a large portion of their work force. Imagine if a company keeps everything completely “hush-hush” and 500 employees show up one day to find out they have been downsized. There is a good chance that they will start talking and spreading stories. It is very likely that one of the devastated ex-employees will call the press and give them their side of the story. Without a public statement from the company, the only facts that the press has to go on are the ones from the ex-employee, which are likely to paint the company in a negative light.
Great Companies Play Offense
Now imagine that the company has been open and honest all along. They made a public statement on their blog about the situation that the company is in and that they will have to downsize part of their workforce. Even if a recently downsized employee calls the press, the press will most likely go to the company’s blog as a source for their primary information.
Inferior Companies Play Defense
If a story gets out about a company it is significantly more difficult for the company to control the situation than it would be if they made the first move and kept the public informed. Companies think that by keeping things “hush Hush”, they maintain control but the truth is that the only way to maintain control is to be the one keeping the public informed.
How can your company play offense and maintain control?