Cyber conversations can lead to crisis and reputation damage: Seminar, 18 Nov 2016

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“The world has gone digital”, and its global citizens community – are demanding more accountability, transparency, positive, corrective action and engagement. On a daily basis, conversations about brands occur both online and offline, but the most damaging are the negative ones that occur online and via instant messaging platforms like WhatsApp.  However it is these same platforms that can be exploited to address, correct and rebuild reputations.

This is one of topics that will be covered at the Issues, Crisis and Reputation Management Seminar that will be held in Harare at Rainbow Towers on 18 November.

The seminar organised by Vivid Burson-Marsteller, will focus on re-orienting the strategic thought processes behind corporate success, with reputation management as a key driver.

Managing Consultant Tapuwa Nduku- Makurumure, said “Issues, Crisis and Reputation Management are a key component of Corporate governance, however, as it is, many organisations are not quite aware that Crisis Preparedness is as important as Risk Management, and very few have Crisis Policies let alone Social Media policies in place. Poorly handled issues and crises lead to reputation damage, which in turn may lead to financial distress, which in the worst case scenario could result in bankruptcy”

African Public Relations Association (APRA) President, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya will address delegates on ‘The Role of PR in addressing Issues and Crisis’. Badejo Okusanya who is the current recipient of the prestigious Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award of Integrity and Transparency as the Most Outstanding African Personality of the Year, has the responsibility of working closely with the African Union (AU) in the areas of strategic thinking on how to improve the image and perception of Africa. He has delivered a number of papers across the globe, namely “Corruption, Image and National Development: The Role of Marketing Communication”, and “The Role of PR in Building a Brand in Africa.”

Delegates will also draw on the expertise of renowned speaker Edward Siwela – Executive Director of the Institute of Directors in Zimbabwe, who was instrumental in the development of National Code of Corporate Governance of Zimbabwe which code was launched on 9 April 2015.

“It is a platform where we will encourage open dialogue and address key issues currently affecting many local organisations, such as, how corporates should handle crisis; how to measure reputation and address gaps; the use of Online reputation management and how to harness the power of social media. “

In Zimbabwe an estimated 6 million people access the internet to read news, access social sites and to search or for research. Furthermore, it is estimated that 1.5 million people communicate on Whatsapp. However, these conversations which cut across various demographics are not confined by geographical borders.  Guest speaker William Chui, a certified Content Marketer states “Don’t think that not being online will safe guard you. Your stakeholders are talking about you, the question is will you be part of that conversation” It is therefore imperative for organisations, regardless of industry, structure, size and physical locality to have a plan in place to mitigate against reputation damage.

For more information or to register for the conference contact Faith on +263 8644 136 861/2 or e-mail vivid@vividbranding.co.zw.

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