Archive for Issues Management
May 20, 2010 at 2:07 pm · Filed under Leadership, America, Issues Management
I’m tough on myself. There’s a lot I don’t like. I’m too broad around the midsection and my forehead has some permanent wrinkles already. (And no, it’s not due to constant surprises!) Then I look back and think there’s more I’d like to change. Perhaps a different alma mater? Higher GPA in high school?
Too bad I never met US Senate-hopeful Richard Blumenthal.
This wanna-be elected official in Connecticut seems to have fabricated portions of his career. Here’s a great video taken in 2008 – look for the catchphrase, “…from the days I served in Vietnam…”
Seems reasonable, no? Problem is all of his experience was States-side following a record five deferments.
So. One lie. Is that all?
As investigators pour over Dick’s record (why is it always a politician named Dick?), more anomalies appear. He says he was captain of the Harvard Swim Team. Now that might have been plausible if Blumenthal actually was on the team. Seems Dick wasn’t on the team he purported to captain. Oops.
In the face of mounting evidence and criticism, Richard Blumenthal has wedged himself into the corner of denial, stonewalling and obfuscation (”Here’s a video link where I accurately cite my Vietnam experience”).
So now I think. If I could re-make myself a la Blumenthal, what might I change? Maybe I won the Bermuda’s Cup in 1982. Perhaps I was founder of a major national charity that helps homeless youth. Or could I have been considered as the first non-scientific crew member of the Atlantis Space Shuttle.
No matter what I’ll have lost four inches off my waist and restored my smooth forehead. That’s my mimunum entry point for re-fabricating myself a la Blumenthal.
Dick. Is that you?
March 7, 2010 at 11:35 am · Filed under Issues Management, Australia
Today I received your bank statement. It was addressed to me, and it had my private, family company name on the top. After that, it had all your personal information.
I know you receive benefits from Centrelink, and that you shop on iTunes. Your medical coverage is with Medibank - there’s even your account number. You’re self-employed because I see the deposits of the client invoices, and the project descriptions. I know you live near Leichhardt because that’s where you buy petrol. When you were on holiday in Perth I know where you stayed and that you even got a traffic fine, which you paid on 23 February. I know where you grocery shop (Woolworths Leichhardt).
What do you know about me?
Last month St George Bank mailed the wrong personal banking information to the wrong customers. I got your statement. You have mine. See story here:
But the bank cares. In their letter they said they’re investigating and will be certain this doesn’t happen again. They have a 24-7 dedicated telephone line. I called on Sunday at 12:00 noon - and was put on hold for 10 minutes (”Because your call is important”). When I asked who received my statement, the female operator started lecturing me that no one could tell who I was by my banking information.
Yet I know your wife is named Leanne - because when you made an Internet Withdrawal you wrote the memo that it was for Leanne’s hair products.
So tell me St George. I know this other person. I have their detailed financial history. You’ve made no effort to reclaim these statements and your bossy operator told me I needn’t worry. You’re taking this seriously. You’re conducting an investigation. Yet the front page of your web site gives none of that away - there’s no mention.
Great job St George. At least I know this statement isn’t for Westpac-St George CEO Gail Kelly. I don’t believe she received Centrelink payments. Nor would she like her personal information in another person’s hands. Just like me.
March 5, 2010 at 7:02 pm · Filed under Issues Management, Media Industry, Public Relations, Australia
Poor Jothy Hughes. This “publicist” couldn’t get his client on national television. The firm bought gold, so Jothy arranged for actresses to pose as divorcees. At a staged event they would sell their wedding jewels and act excited by the value. Hooray for divorce!
But Jothy’s emails trying to tempt gold-diggersgold sellers were published. Now Jothy’s dodging camera crews in car parks and his employer refuses to acknowledge his existence. The story received national airplay in AUstralia on “Today Tonight” and “A Current Affair”.
A PR man’s worst nightmare? Maybe not.
One conspiracy theorist notes the responses and car park interviews are too polished. Was this guy caught out or stage managed? The crisis has forced gold buying parties into prominence never-before seen.
Now I know I’m supposed to be creative in my job. But it never occurred to me to fake a crisis in order to propel further media.
Is that what those Exxon Valdez guys were thinking?
March 2, 2010 at 3:56 pm · Filed under Issues Management
Guest Author, Jarrod Baker here at Fleishman-Hillard Sydney - as published on Winter Games Connect
Arguably Australia’s most prominent television channel and primary broadcaster of the Vancouver Winter Olympic games, Channel 9 has been hit with a blizzard of complaints over homophobic comments made by former CEO and Winter Olympic host Eddie McGuire. McGuire’s comments were made along with fellow host, Australian comedian Mick Malloy, following U.S. athlete Johnny Weir’s routine in men’s figure skating. McGuire and Malloy commented on Weir’s clothing, and used terms including ‘flamboyant’ and ‘in the closet’.
Just moments after the exchange on live television, a wave of outrage flooded Twitter from thousands of angry viewers. Here are a few examples.
- @Shhhannon Just saw Eddie McGuire step in it with an inappropriate comment about a male ice-skater. Watch this space for controversy!
- @nilesedgeUgggh who let Eddie mcguire near the winter olympics??
- @chicachowCan’t decide what he finds more offensive: channel nine’s vaguely homophobic figure skating commentating or Eddie mcguire’s face.
- @ozreedgal: eddie mcguire has made a number of little digs about competitors’ s-xuality since I’ve been watching 2night. He’s obsessed #olympics.
The outrage continuesin the aftermath of McGuire’s comments, above and beyond the competition and Olympic stars. Currently a Facebook group, ‘Eddie Mcguire is ruining the 2010 Winter Olympics coverage,’ has some 11,000 members – a figure that grew from just 195 people after McGuire’s comments on Weir.
So what’s the latest? Eddie McGuire is currently being investigated by an Australian anti-discrimination board following an outpouring of emotion and official complaints. As television coverage rolls on and McGuire presides over what’s been a fascinating spectacle, the spotlight’s not just on the games themselves, but also on Eddie. In this case although the media’s covering the Vancouver games, social media is covering the media!
by Jarrod Baker
February 16, 2010 at 9:51 am · Filed under Issues Management, Australia
As part of the kick to the economy last year when the Global Financial Crisis was at its most deadly, the Australian government introduced a series of spending programs. One was to offer free insulation to every Australian household, up to the value of $1,200. Overnight a cottage industry was born. Tradesmen raced to have their businesses certified so they could install insulation for free to households - then charge the Federal Government $1,200 per household.
Once again, the devil is in the details.
With the rush to get insulation and construction industry funds flowing, the program was introduced rapidly. There appears to have been insufficient training and little oversight. One tradesman suggested I factor the government’s $1,200 into the cost of our remodelled kitchen. He would get the grant for the full amount of the insulation even if we only were going to use one batt. No harm no foul? We didn’t go ahead with that tradesman!
Other than overcharging, the lack of training led to faulty installation. Pink batts were laid over halogen light fixtures - putting that house at risk of fire. Some houses got inferior quality insulation so the benefit is lost. Others had foil insulation stapled into place with metal staples. And as the young installers were not trained, some pierced electrical wires. Four people were killed. More were severely burned. An unknown number of houses have “live” attics or worse, especially if that “live” foil insulation comes into contact with water pipes. In that case the bathtub spigot could be an electrocution hazard.
Now that all these issues have come to light, there are calls in Parliament for the sacking of the Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett.
Today Garrett is featured in a front page photo in The Australian. Is he in the crawl space of a home accompanying an inspector? Is he bedside with a burned installer? Is he in a cramped conference room working with industry leaders to solve the problems? Nope. Minister Garrett is alongside a stream looking at a small snake, as yesterday he launched an effort to monitor reptiles, snakes and maybe even bugs.
Yes, I am familiar with the excuse that it was a pre-booked event. And yes, somehow I understand that snakes are critical to the environment. And of course “business as usual” does need to proceed. But I am not the public.
What the public see is a Minister out in the bush - and out of touch. People have died and homes may be unsafe. And in comparison to that, the snakes don’t matter. Sorry. The Minister needs to demonstrate control of this “burning” issue or else we’ll demand government put someone in charge who will.
PS: The comments of the author are in no way meant to disrespect reptiles or snakes or any other “creepy crawlies,” as the Minister’s office described them.
January 7, 2010 at 9:00 am · Filed under Investor Relations, Issues Management, Public Relations
Yesterday Jetstar announced a partnership with AirAsia that starts with joint-procurement agreements and extends to service agreements at shared airports. The deal centres on two similarly aligned organisations looking to reduce costs.
Yet by carefully crafting messages – and relating those to the company’s core values – Jetstar placed its consumers at the centre of this ho-hum corporate deal. To showcase the power of public relations, think through these two different headlines:
JetStar Alliance To Cut Cost (hypothetical)
Jetstar Deal Means Lower Asia Fares (The Australian – front page)
In the front page article, new partner AirAsia said round trip fares between Melbourne and Kuala Lumpur should drop $200 to $600 per person. The ability to demonstrate an immediate consumer benefit means a lot. Consumers will support restructuring, even some job losses, if they perceive an immediate benefit.
Frequently companies seek public relations counsel to manage restructuring announcements. They’ll develop announcements with euphemisms for job losses. Downsizing. Restructuring. Business Process Reengineering. And my favourite, “Rightsizing”.
Author Don Watson developed a handy reference tool for those seeking to understand dense corporate-speak. “Weasel Words” is a collection of “contemporary clichés, cant & management jargon.” There Watson offers this definition to “rightsizing” – Job Eliminations.
When developing messages to support a restructure, think to the end consumer. What’s the benefit? Quicker call times? Lower costs? Better products? If you place the consumer at the heart of your messages you’re transactions are going to be better received.
September 2, 2009 at 10:19 am · Filed under America, Issues Management
(Thanks Mom Blogger for photo)
Now that summer is over in the Northern Hemisphere, millions of school children are returning to school. Along with pencil cases, summer memories and new backpacks many will be coming back to school with Swine Flu - also known as H1N1 Virus. Public health authorities are bracing for a significant outbreak. The World Health Organisation has not lowered the pandemic level. Currently we are at the highest level possible.
Against these incredible odds, like Tina Turner sings, “We Need a Hero!” Enter ELMO!
Yes, the red ragamuffin Sesame Street character with the annoying voice is featured in a series of advertisements in the USA. Elmo is teaching basic hygiene to prevent the spread of swine flu - wash hands, cover your mouth when you sneeze, etc. Elmo will be instrumental to reach children - and via them, their parents.
As Elmo has already taken on Potty Training and the Chicken Dance, countering Swine Flu should be a walk in the park. However if Swine Flu does spread widely I’d hate to see Elmo doing hospital visits in a HazMat suit.
August 10, 2009 at 3:29 pm · Filed under America, Issues Management, Australia
In the immediate aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis, AMR Interactive publish a survey of 2,270 people about their views of various professions. With headlines screaming about bank failures and multi-trillion dollar rescue plans, it appears we don’t like bankers anymore.
Bankers rate down there with journalists, politicians and real estate agents. (I still have a soft spot for Annette Bening in “American Beauty” though.)
In this 21stcentury world we’re in, we seem to hanker for the good old professions. Firemen, doctors, policemen and teachers aren’t what six year olds dream of being. It’s who we appreciate. Little kids don’t dream of being accountants. Well – very, very few have that passion!
So after being battered and bruised by the global economy we revert to our youth. Which is probably a good thing as we’ll need the energy of our youth to return to work as retirement savings are perilously diminished.
Damn – must be those bankers again!
August 5, 2009 at 4:02 pm · Filed under Issues Management, Australia
Australia’s suffering one of the oddest -gate affairs. (Since Watergate every political crisis is -gated, like ‘Iguana-gate’ last year). Right now Ute-gate looks set to bring down the Leader of the Opposition, Malcolm Turnbull.
For those in North America, a Ute is short for utility vehicle. In other words, a pick-up truck!
Where to begin? And how to abbreviate?
Earlier this year Opposition Leader stunned Parliament by accusing Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of using undue influence to gain a used car dealer priority access to Treasury funds. (When all car financiers left Australia the government stepped in with emergency funding.) Seems this car dealer lent Rudd a used vehicle for electioneering purposes. Influence for mates? How dare he! (Until then I thought that’s what government was - silly me.)
The “smoking gun” was an email in the hands of Turnbull. Seems he failed to check the email’s authenticity before calling for the Prime Minister to resign.
Are you with me still?
Weeks later the Auditor General releases an official report. The email was a fake. Rudd did nothing wrong. Turnbull shot out of the gate too early. (The fake email’s author is a senior Treasury public servant now residing in a Canberra mental hospital.)
All pretty tatty even before you factor in two significant issues.
First - and worst - it appears to validate his claims of “never knowing the email was a fake”, Turnbull released documents. Included was a Q&A script used to coach the fake email’s author before he testified to the Senate. Oops. Seems you can’t coach a witness before a Parliamentary Inquiry. (Again, we’re all learning here!)
Second - and fatal - was the lost opportunity for Turnbull to respond like a…hmmm…national leader. Peter Hartcher from “The Sydney Morning Herald” captures it perfectly in today’s edition:
THE hue and cry over Godwin Grech and the fake email left the Australian electorate with one big question: does Malcolm Turnbull have the judgment to be prime minister?
Yesterday he had a prime opportunity to start addressing that question, to tell Australia what he had learnt from the debacle, how he would do things differently in future.
But instead of trying to restore the confidence of voters, he conducted a narrow, legalistic exercise to exonerate himself. (See full article here.)
Every day innocent Australians are killed in auto accidents. Yet it isn’t every day that a political career is killed by a used car - especially when, at the time of the accident, that car is garaged a few thousand miles away from the victim.
June 23, 2009 at 9:47 am · Filed under Issues Management, Globalisation
The Twitter-verse is alive with postings from Iran. With global news agencies blocked from Tehran the world’s exposure to post-election chaos is delivered via Twitter and YouTube. These seem to be the only sites able to escape the tightest Internet filtering system in the world - built by Siemens and Nokia.
If ever there was a public relations nightmare for a company this has to be the daddy of them all.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Iran’s monitoring system is the most sophisticated in the world. It even exceeds the capabilities in China. And it was provided, in part, by European companies Siemens and Nokia:
“The monitoring capability was provided, at least in part, by a joint venture of Siemens AG, the German conglomerate, and NokiaCorp., the Finnish cellphone company, in the second half of 2008, Ben Roome, a spokesman for the joint venture, confirmed.” (Source: The Wall Street Journal)
To be fair the equipment and technology was developed to improve mobile telephone technology in a developing nation. Yet the sophistication of the filtering and blocking system exceeds that of any country in the world. Surely it would have been apparent, at installation, the capabilities could be used for political oppression especially as Iran remains an autocratic state.
I, for one, will be monitoring the response of Siemens and Nokia to these developments.
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