RIM continues to be in the news—but for all the wrong reasons

While many are waiting for RIM’s breaking news today—that is, the good news about why this past year’s failures were worth it, and that fortunes are now about to change—I have a few observations worth reflecting on.

RIM’s biggest weakness is not their technology, but their lack of good communication:

1. They fail to communicate consistently their core message—that they have the most secure communications network and device in the market today—even the president of the USA uses it.
2. They fail to respond quickly to the public and shareholders when things go wrong. The most recent blackout demonstrates this point clearly—how many days went by before the co-CEO, Mike Lazaridis made an apology and statement?
3. Upon the release of PlayBook, and while being pummelled by their competitors in the media, RIM was virtually silent—I heard all the negatives, but it was months before I heard the positives about why or where the PlayBook is superior.
4. While attending their Annual Shareholder’s Meeting, co-CEO Jim Balsillie stood for the introductory address, chose to read the introduction rather than engage his audience.
5. At this same Annual Shareholder’s Meeting, an anonymous well written and thought out letter had been circulated that raised a number of issues within the RIM employee/company—the leadership chose to focus on the messenger rather than the message—and with the opportunity to embrace the message, rejected it.

Hopefully, today is really the beginning of a new era—an era where the focus isn’t just on technology but communication.

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Ontario NDP candidate in trouble for pod casts

It has been noted before on this blog that you have to be careful when posting online. Everything sticks around once it's online and is searchable by Google.

The most recent controversy during Ontario's provincial election has come from pod casts recorded by the NDP candidate in Niagara-West-Glanbrook.

While Mr. Marco's musings about religion and Nazi Germany were made several years ago, they are having an impact on his election campaign now. Not only are they impacting his local campaign, they're causing the leader of his party to have to address them in media scrums - taking her away from the party's main campaign themes.

As a rule of thumb, think before you hit the post button. Consider the ramifications. What impact will this post have on your career? Does it impact others?

And, if it makes you chuckle as you write it...it's a sure sign that someone out there will misinterpret your joke. Remember, emotion can be misread when you take it from voice to print.

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Targeted messaging is the way to go

As you drive to work in the mornings or get on the subway, you're bombarded with bill boards, radio ads, sidewalk ads, posters and even ads in washrooms. There's a lot of clutter out there. So how do companies get through the clutter to make sure their message is heard? It's actually quite simple, you need to be sure you're talking to someone who is interested in hearing what you have to say. Targeting your message is the key - especially now that economic recovery has slowed down. Companies need to work harder at making sure they're talking to the right people - and talking to them about things they care about.

Social media 'group think'

This morning I read an interesting article on social media entitled "One brain to rule them all" by William Wolfe-Wylie of the Toronto Sun. The article notes that in today's world the response to events and news stories can be instantaneous. Facebook groups and fan pages can be set up for virtually any cause to attract those of 'like mind' so they can vent.

Wolfe-Wylie argues that, "...social media, rather than promoting independent thought, helps us to figure out what everyone else things and then agree with them."

He goes on to say, "This is nothing new. People have always been friends with those who share similar values and points of view."

He is right when he suggests that this trend holds in the online environment as well as in our physical interactions.

Communicators on behalf of brands, organizations and personalities do well to keep this in mind when planning their communications activities.

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A good article with some general PR advice

The link below connects to a good article on public relations. Much of the information covered is similar to what Strategic Communications Solutions PR teaches in our PR 101 training seminars.

http://www.bothsidesofthetable.com/2011/08/14/teachable-moments-in-pr-crisis-management/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BothSidesOfTheTable+%28Both+Sides+of+the+Table%29

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Withstand market uncertainty and grow your brand visibility

Now, more than ever, it is important to be 'out there' talking about your brand. With economic uncertainty becoming the 'buzz word' again there is a danger that companies and individuals will stop spending and cause the economy to grind to a halt.

Talk about the value and benefits of your products and services. Continue to use social media and traditional media to engage and connect with your customer base. By interacting with your client base through these mediums, you can identify opportunities for providing solutions and services they still need even though they're cutting back. Help them get through these difficult times and they'll remain your loyal customers when the 'good times' return.

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NDP interim leader's actions speak louder than words

We awoke this morning to the headline on the front page of the Globe & Mail announcing that the interim NDP leader (Nycole Turmel) was a card carrying member of the Bloc up until a month before running for the NDP nomination. This undermines the message she (and other NDP spokespeople) have been putting out both during the election campaign and since she became interim leader last week. This speaks directly to her credibility. Now the NDP has a leadership problem on two fronts.

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