Treat your company with respect

   

What do you expect when you do not treat your employees with the same respect as your executive or management? Do you expect to go ahead and be successful when your company is unethical? Such behavior ruins a company’s image.

Get the reputation you deserve: Respect.
(sauce: www.www.kualalumpurpost.net)

Some company's management is treating employees unfairly.  Fidelity Guard (FG) has not been delivering money in time for people to receive their salary because of striking. I don't blame them for striking because the law allows them and they are not being paid what they deserve.

During election time political parties use every type of manipulation and persuasion to get people’s votes. Anything can be said just to get that vote. This is where being unethical comes in because some of the promises are never fulfilled.

I was listening to YFM’s morning show today, Flava in the Morning and they were discussing 'sexual harassment' or sleeping your way to the top. There are some managers or executives who will give you a job or promote you only if you sleep with them specifically have sex with them.

People are afraid of reporting such things because they are afraid that they will get blacklisted or lose their jobs. Professors have also been reported at tertiaries but students are also afraid to report. Authorities such as the CCMA (Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration appeal to people to report such matters so that justice may be served. Public relations practitioners may also help in this regard as they make sure that reputation and mutual relationships are kept.

Being unethical just shows how much respect you have for yourself and company. Well I think it is high time authorities took initiative and follow up on reported incidents. Why not about remuneration and your image than your personal satisfaction?  Treat your company with respect to get the deserved respect and reputation it needs.

Unity in diversity



The Heritage month: South Africa embraces it's diversity.
souce: (www.sahistory.org.za)



The Heritage month is celebrated in September every year in South Africa. This marks the day of having different cultures in our country and where we come from as a nation. Heritage day is however on September 24.

In every workplace, there people who have different backgrounds, different beliefs, different cultures and so on. Every person wants to embrace their culture by speaking their own language if possible or wearing their cultural clothing.


Organisations like the University of Johannesburg have an Annual International Festival which is the biggest event hosted by the Division for Internalisation. The event embraces the different cultures, or lifestyles within South Africa but especially for international students or stakeholders read more. Lotus FM will be also celebrating its heritage month at Ukhahlamba Drakensburg Park World Heritage site. This will be done to encourage South Africans to come together to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and unite against rhino poaching read more.

 It is a very good thing to see companies or organisations celebrate the diversity in our country. The only question posed will be whether they are doing it for the right reasons or just to gain publicity. Employers know that if they make their employees feel welcomed and accepted, they will surely gain their trust and the relationship will always be there. It seems that these days every holiday needs an event but is it an ethical one, that is done to meet the goals and objectives? Or is it done all for the sake of having a good image in the public eye?

Our new notes - the image of Mandela



To our suprise: Nelson Mandela is a man
 that will be honoured through the SA bank  notes.
(www.news24.com)



It came to my surprise when I saw the South African notes having changed from the “Big Five” animals to the former President’s image, Nelson Mandela. This is supposed to be a celebration for a country but there are a lot of critics which I seem to agree with.

According to News24.com read more, the rand dropped by 2.5 percent against the dollar. The announcement came as a surprise to many officials as it was said that, there would be an announcement of ‘national importance’ without giving details except that, President Jacob Zuma, Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan and Reserve Bank Governor Gill Marcus would be present.

The announcement was made by President Jacob Zuma at the Reserve Bank in Pretoria, the day also being the anniversary of Mandela’s release from prison.



On Sunday Independent the governor commented that “We have changed currency before. It is not a big thing”. The governor’s comments are due to the people’s negative reaction… But do you blame the people. I believe that the changing of the notes should have been announced during the Nation State to emphasise the reasons behind it and for people to expect what is to come.

Comments such as “Everything is called a Mandela something, “South Africa will become Mandelaville”, “This is like play -play money or monopoly money”, were broadcast on the News24 online medium. The thought of thinking about the money being used to buy drugs does bring dishonour to Mandela.

The new design cost an estimation of 2, 5 to 3 million and will be introduced before the end of the year. The Mandela notes will also have newly developed security features. Gill Marcus said so far the R500 note has not been implemented.

Yes, Nelson Mandela is a man of great honour and importance but the way this was done and introduced seemed dodgy. I mean why the secrecy? The Rand also dropped which indicates miscommunication within the government and the market. A publicity campaign could have been done to support the announcement. Perception is always a factor to consider.

Image is everything

The new IPhone 5: Nicknamed the Glass phone, you just
have toouch. (sauce: www.apple.com )

The new Apple IPhone 5 featuring a large screen and boosted computing powers was introduced in San Francisco on 12 September of 2012. Pre-orders open on September 21. “IPhone 5 is the most beautiful consumer device that we’ve ever created”, said Phillip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing read more .

The features of the new IPhone:

·         IPhone 5 comes in either white and silver or black and slate

·         8 megapixel with image stabilization and panorama (different aspects of a picture)

·         The IPhone 5 is said to be 18% thinner and 20% lighter than the IPhone 4s

·         The phone features a new 10cm retina display

·         It comes with iOS 6 with new features such as an all new maps applications with Apple designed  cartography and turn-by-turn navigation

·         Supports ultrafast wireless standards read about more features .

You can already imagine the outstanding gadget dubbed the “Glass phone.”

Ryan Block wrote, “Great. Use the IPhone 5 for ten minutes and now my IPhone 4S feels tiny, fat and ugly. And that’s how they get me every time.” On the contrary IPhone continues to excel. Who would have thought? After the passing of co-founder, chairman and CEO, Steve Jobs, consumers thought the brand would fall or poorly produce new devices. Some media was beginning to speculate whether the new CEO, Tim Cook is afraid of bringing something new to the market.

I must say that image is everything a company has to keep, it does not matter who is the new CEO or which one got fired standards have to be met. Apple stores show that image is everything as it still communicates with it's consumers and makes sure that they are happy and satisfied with every new product. Steve Jobs once said “You can’t just ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they’ll want something new.” 

Apple is reminding the industry how important it is to maintain relationships with your stakeholders and at the same time maintain the good perception and standards that people have about you as a brand.

Zumaville or New York City of Kwa-Zulu Natal



The development nicknamed Zumaville by the media:
A project that is set to be benefitial. (www.mg.co.za)



Does South Africa want to be the joke of the continent or the world? The government is planning a R2 billion town in President Jacob Zuma’s home village, Nkandla. This development is said to be a rural development by spokesperson Mac Maharaj. This development has already been criticised  by many political people saying that this project is just to benefit Zuma and his family above the priorities of South African citizens.

The former president of the ANC Youth League, Julius Malema, accused President Zuma of building “New York City of Kwa-Zulu Natal in Nkandla however this project is an idea by Masibambisane development initiative which is co-chaired by President Zuma read more

The name of the project is Umlazi-Nkandla Smart Growth Centre which is expected to have:

·         A new school with boarding facilities

·         A recreation centre featuring a swimming pool and tennis courts

·         Government facilities, including offices for home affairs and social development

·         New community facilities including a library, theatre and recreation centre

Now this project will be sponsored by private sector sponsors like Old Mutual and by the millions of South Africans who pay their tax. The government is also expected to contribute by a billion.

Is this a scheme or what? This project shows that in South Africa developments or projects are taken more seriously than poverty, education or health.  A democratic country has a lot to embrace but not by mis-using money and claiming that it is beneficial. The image that is communicated and created is that President Jacob Zama’s projects come first and this means we are a lost nation because of our leader. Where is the public relations expertise when you need one, because certainly the government is succeeding at building the most negative ideas for the citizens?

SABC launches its 24 hour news channel

The SABC logo: Embraced with the colours of the flag.
(sauce: www.google.co.za)

 Reading my daily newspaper, I got to discover that SABC will be launching a 24 hour news channel. The news channel will be sponsored by DStv read more. The SABC is taken as the public broadcast because of its affordability compared to its competitor DStv or toptv. “We are ready”, said Lulama Makhobo the group CEO, on Monday. The news channel will however be firstly available on DStv and then on digital terrestrial television later on.

 Now, SABC launching a 24 hour news channel seems extreme because:

• The SABC is already repeating programmes from the olden days like Yizo Yizo or Bophelo ke Semphego
• The many viewers of SABC are not able to pay their TV licenses



Ready to tranform: Group CEO, Lulama Makhobo assured
the media that the SABC is ready for this one.
(sauce: www.channel24.co.za)



Already the  government is getting publicity from the SABC news that are being broadcast for 30 minutes every day  in all the 3 channels,  because when it comes to the government an angle is applied.  The government is being portrayed in the best way possible, although negative stories are reported like the Angie Motshekga saga or corruption within the government, but not everything is revealed.

Come the elections, what is being broadcast is about what the ruling party is doing or has done to make a better living for the people, and less about other parties. Doesn’t this show favoritism of the ruling party? It is so obvious that the government will be framed in the best way ever.

I therefore think that the SABC is doing this to gain the focus of the audience to ANC. Yes the nation needs to be informed, but at the end of the day this is business, and publicity is on top of the list.

Our sports people and their communication



We love and support our people: The ladies hockey team
celebrating their victory.(sauce: www.google.com)



It is the London Olympics at this time of the year. The Olympics, which started in 776 B.C, occur once every 4 years, almost each and every country is participating or representing. People are talking about Olympics -if they are not they must be ignorant. Communication is the most key in this whole event. Now think about this: You are an athlete from South Africa, Portugal or Spain and you find that you do not know English.

If you are from Britain or USA you have the very most advantage because English is the mother- tongue language or home language.Well... Obviously the government or the planners of this event are aware of this and get to hire translators.

  

Yes, we should embrace our mother-tongue but up to what extent? According to The Economist of 12 January 2011, there was once a motion posed by the South African government that kids in schools should be taught in their mother- tongue language read more. I mean how can you do mathematics in your mother- tongue language? The next best thing you know, you are in tertiary and do not know how to communicate with your peers.  Going for an interview is going to be even harder. Well... These sports people are representing their own countries, but how they communicate has an effect on their image and the younger generation. Playing sports and excelling in it is a talent, it’s a God- given talent, but bear in mind that you have fans that look up to you. Yes there are brands that invest in our respective sports people or sponsor them but communication is just the main objective here.



 One of our best athletes on the 2012 team: Caster Semenya,
giving a confident pose. (sauce: www.google.com) 



I find it disturbing if a well-known sports person especially from South Africa, to be so talented but yet failing to communicate in a proper manner... But who am I to judge, because we all have different gifts? The question posed is, how well do our sports people know the medium of instruction or is it a necessity for them to only know their mother-tongue and not care about English?

The women's month, taken as an opportunity



Avon makes a difference at the walkathon event to raise funds:
Over 30 00 people participate to help women diagnosed with
breast cancer (sauce: www.avon.co.za)

 It is a women’s month and a lot of organisations are doing a lot to seem like a helping organisation especially about breast cancer. Organisations like Avon which has events that are held to empower women to look good and feel better and even have walkathons to generate massive awareness of breast cancer. There are even tertiary organisations like SPRA (Student Public Relations Association) based at UJ ( University of Johannesburg)which are making a difference by volunteering in communities.

Giving back with a smile: Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu
sees giving back in the society as a collective effort.
 (www.thegivingorganisation.org)

The only question might be: Are organisations giving back to be seen as caring? Is it altruism in the making or Corporate Social Investment? The industry of Public Relations and Communications requires an organisation to keep abreast, giving is optional but wouldn’t you do so to get the people's loyalty or your target audiences’ positive perception. Do organisations do this because they want to or are they forced to?

Princess Charlene of Monaco will be co-patron with Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu at The Giving Organisation to give back, this is a collaborative South African good cause organisation.

  One of the biggest and growing ways in giving back to the society was/ is Mandela day. A lot of companies, brands, organisations or even celebrities where giving their 67 minutes.  The University of Johannesburg also contributed to Mandela day, the question is still pending.



Her highness provides a helping hand: Princess
Charlene and her husband. (www.thegivingorganisation.org)

Back to August being a women’s month, an opportunity is out there for organisations to give a helping hand besides expecting anything in return or publicity. Events like ‘Take a girl child to work day’ or ‘Women empowerment’ within undeveloped or developing areas are the key to be seen as caring read more. As a young woman I feel privileged that my “being” is being celebrated but would not want it to be taken for granted for a mere beneficiary scheme.

Organisations are trying but... Is it because they are forced to? Just to have a good image in the public sphere.

I wonder if this is the career for me

  

You chose it: It worse when you confused. (sauce: http://www.slapusidethead.com/)



Have you ever felt like you are in the wrong field, wrong career? Many of us feel like that especially when things go wrong within the workplace or when we are stressed. Well it all goes back to how you chose your career. Did you choose it because it has always been what you wanted to do or because you were forced to. Is it because it was a second choice or was it because you had no option but to study?

Some say a job is different from a career because, a career is the one that you studied for and a job is the work you do just to make a living, what do you say?



One may feel bored or feel like quitting their job because deep down they know that it is not what they wanted to do. The most downside about being in the wrong career is when you start showing. There are nurses for example who are supposed to take care of patients but do not exactly do that, they in fact treat them badly. There are cashiers who you can see right from their facial expression that even if you did not from buy from their shop it would not matter. Then you get to ask yourself why did he/she choose this career if he/she is going to be this rude. A pretend-smile will do!

You have to be careful because what you do in the company or for the company reflects the company’s image. Remember to communicate well at all times because you going to definitely need a reference once you move on.

There is a truck driver who made three accidents and got fired after the third incident, read more. There are so many famous people, so to speak who made bad publicity stunts or were rude to the media. Would you now say that being in a bad mood made you sarcastic or stubborn within your career?  Do you take the blame to the customer and say “She’s the one who was ungrateful for my assistance.”Guidelines on choosing the right career

There is a bright side to being in the ‘supposedly’ wrong career though. You sometimes get to discover your inner-self. Something that you did not know existed in you. You end up discovering that this is actually what you want to do. You end up loving your job.



What gives you the right?



Who knows what he's about to say: DJ Mo Flava
ready to do what he does best, presenting.
(sauce: http://www.google.co.za/)

 The workplace is a place where you will spend most of your time in your life. That is why you have to love it, adapt and make the most of it. What about if you use the workplace as your form of expression, but not in a rightful way? South Africa is indeed celebrating it's 18 years of freedom on 27 April of this year. This shows that the country has come a long way to fight for the citizen's rights. Is your workplace a platform to communicate, just because you can?


What I have found fascinating however is the people using their freedom to such an extent that will hurt others. Mo Flava a DJ in Y FM, the Youth FM made comments about well-known actress Maggie Benedict who plays Akhona Griffiths in the famous South African soapie Generations read more. Mo Flava used the platform of being a DJ to describe Maggie as "ugly". The manager of Y FM commented that " They merely implied that she has a resemblance to UK popstar Estelle. Then why didn't he say so?


Ready for "action": Maggie Benedict who plays Akhona in
 Generations, is loved by the many.
(source:www.google.co.za)

 How can a DJ say such a thing as this was a complaint by a listener claiming that Mo Flava and his colleagues are referring to Maggie as an ugly-looking person. Does our freedom of expression lead us to such behaviour. There are obviously effects and implications because Mo Flava has not only created a bad name for himself but for his company too. The radio station's reputation is at stake now. The company has to find a way of handling the situation, but the question still lies, how will Y FM handle this and does having a right whether in the workplace or as a citizen make you label others? YFM has to look at how it will communicate with the actress to establish or maitain a good relationship.

The University of Johannesburg goes carefull



Outside the University of Johannesburg
 Bunting Road campus: A prospectus student awaits,
 wondering about the future. (sauce: http://www.google.co.za/)

 It is always intriguing to see how companies and organisations manage their crisis situations or dilemmas. I couldn't help but think of the University of Johannesburg (UJ), South Africa read more about UJ. UJ is well-known in South Africa and in other countries, famous for being diverse and having four campuses; it will be hosting an Open Day on 11 and 12 May this year.

As UJ is approaching its' Open Day, my question only lies on how the day will be maintained or controlled. Schools have to book and make an appointment to come visit UJ on Friday; parents also have to make appointments to come visit with their children on Saturday. Open day is a day whereby prospective people or learners come together, ask questions about career fields they are interested in, tour around and learn more about the institution. The institution is basically selling itself to its consumers or customers. It is the best way to market and communicate directly with its' target market.

HOW TO DEAL WITH A CRISIS? HOW?

Now UJ came with a strategy of setting appointments because after this year's stampede read more about stampede, that caused a mother's life, UJ cannot certainly take any chances.

The long queue for applying: Everyone wants to see themselves
studying at a university. (sauce: http://www.google.co.za/)

Is UJ showing that it is responsible enough to handle a big number of people besides the registered students that are already enrolling? The matter might have been handled or be in the process of being solved, read more but a bad image has already been created. Some might even think twice about applying at the University of Johannesburg.

How are companies, organisations or institutions handling their crisis situations? Do they wait for an incident to occur. Are they reactive communicators with the public instead of proactive? -Foreseeing a crisis before it happens. But who is to be blamed though, the department of education, UJ, the late applicants?

This situation goes to show that public relations and communications departments are vital in each and every organisation. Dealing with matters in a way that will benefit both the organisation and the public market or customer has to be dealt with strategically. Internal and external communication should be looked at cautiously no matter how big or small an organisation is.

Social Media and technology taking over?




You can also find kids on Facebook.
(source: www.googleimages.com)

 



Is the social media networking taking over our lives? Social media is indeed taking over our lives because these days we relate everything to it. Besides using it at home or for social reasons it is being used at work as a tool to communicate with the staff.  Sites like Facebook or Yahoo are used to disseminate information faster than you can say “quick”. It is good and it is being improved everyday as I read on The New Age, (11 April) about Facebook buying Istagram  for $1 billion which is a camera application used by social network users to share photos in the most effective and immediate way read more about Instagram deal  
What about when these networking sites don’t protect your private information?  What about when social network cause road accidents or kidnappings. But then again, which good PR campaign can change all this?- Resources and money!

The New Age( 13 April) published an article about “Go Digital South Africa” which is a new way of broadcasting that will be implemented in South Africa. Broadcasting will be moved from analogue TV to digital which will provide more clarity and sound and more TV channels. Digital TV is when signals are encoded and can be compressed to a minimum of 8 TV channels and can be provided in the same frequency as analogue which is transmission in form of electromagnetic waves. This is proof that technology is improving and taking over because schools are also implementing ways on teaching using i-pads. read more

One of the leading social networking sites.
(source: www.googleimages.com )

What about when social media disturbs us in the workplace or sends out the wrong information? Yesterday I went to a school appointment to find that the employee was not assisting me because of being on Facebook. What does this therefore say about the company’s image and communication? It simply sends out a message that they couldn’t care less about me or any other customer who needed help? This does not only happen at schools but also at supermarkets, hospitals or retail shops.

Twitter is also one of the social networks used these days especially by celebrities. They are able to build on their image by communicating instantly with their fans or the public, they just miss the plot when they tweet about anything and I mean anything, or when they say whatever because of the social network being instant and immediate. Social media is a great way of communicating but can ruin a campaign or a person when incorrectly used.




The logos at their best.
(source: http://www.googleimages.com/)

  Let your employees know that when they treat a consumer badly chances are that they won’t come back. Social media goes wrong when you do not know its' purpose, especially at work. Know the time to chit-chat and to work. It is therefore up to Public Relations Practitioners of companies and organisations to teach their staff members about the importance of social media.

Know what to say.

Don’t link personal information

Know how to use it… You will never go wrong.

Oh! It's the new one

Ever been bullied - in the workplace?

Ever felt degraded in the workplace?

Every idea of yours is being shot down. Just because you do not have experience. Just because you are young and fresh out of university or college.



(source:http://www.ncwd-youth.info)



DID YOU EXPECT TO BE TREATED WELL?

At the end of the day it has an impact on your job. You do not perform as expected, you get to break all communication with your colleagues or your employee. You feel belittled or less favoured in every situation.

The question is, how does this situation affect your communcation in the workplace?

Looking at this in a public relations point of view, you are going to participate less and end up quitting because of being uncomfortable at your own job, end up resenting it. You may even end up having anger problems.read more on bullying and work

For the workplace to be a healthy environment, there needs to be a two-way communication and understanding. Having to prove yourself can be hard, that is why organisations or companies need to at least have team building exercises.signs that you are being bullied



(source:http://www.googgleimages.com/)



Well... what are your expectations, what did you expect?

 To be treated differently just because you are the bosses'  daughter or son?

CONFIDENCE

SELF-ESTEEM

At times it may take confidence and self-esteem to stand up and take initiative than being made  to feel like you do not belong.

Its up to you.

(souce:www.googleimages.com)

 Make things happen.

Discrimination in the workplace

The workplace is a place to work, learn and socialise. You are supposed to feel free, have freedom of speech and rights as we have Human Rights day to celebrate our rights.

Now, what about when you are discriminated against because of being in a wheelchair or being physically challenged. Surely that person or colleague who is discriminating has never been a victim or is simply ignorant and disrespectful. There are charges opened because of discrimination. see more

We are equal.
source: (http://www.google.co.za/imgres)

Discrimination affects the communications aspect of the workplace because in a company where discrimination is a problem everything becomes affected including the clients, stakeholders and the targeted audience or consumers. How you treat people determines your future because in order for the customer or client to come back to you, they have to want to and feel appreciated. Discrimination may be seen as a form of being immoral and unethical in the workplace.

I mean-Why discriminate?

One of the human rights under the Constitution Bill states that you have a right to live. You have a right not to be discriminated against. You have a right to freedom of speech, therefore who are you judge someone because of what they look like? Campaigns are administered about discrimination, the public relations department of any company has to deal with campaigns pertaining such situations and not do it when it's too late.


Discrimination does not only end with physically challenged people. People with diseases like Progeria. One of the well-known people with Progeria disease is Ontlametse see video about Ontlametse .

There is

• sexism
• age discrimination
• religion discrimination
• nationality discrimination (to name a few)

Treat every person as you would have wanted to be treated especially in a workplace because you will never know who might be your next boss. read more


What will you gain? 

Office romance

Don't they disturb? All those couples who show Public Display Affection (PDA) in the workplace. Besides them showing their 'love' for each other, this is really a disturbing matter. Many work policies have had to forbid office romance, especially those who were not a couple before working with each other because they end up bringing their arguments from home. They end up disagreeing with each other at work just because they had a fight.read more.



(source: smallbusiness.chron.com)



This affects the company's revenue and way forward. The question lies, how can these couples love each other but not fight with each other? Is it possible though? At the end of the day every relationship is bound to have misunderstandings. Does that mean that the Human Resource department, Public Relations department or the counsellor or the management have programmes designed to deal with couples issues, counselling them? Companies go out for team building exercises, then the couple will want to share the same bedroom. Beware say experts on office romance .

The next thing you know the couple is signing to each other "those" smiles, flirting, and touching. All of this flirting affects the communication aspect of the company because these couples will be winking at each other during meetings. Is it about dating or is it about sleeping our way to the top or being seen with someone? Well what is the management doing about this... or is it also part of it in secrecy, of course! Is it worth keeping these couples in the workplace...will they benefit the company?read more.

Dress code

They do say that first impressions last longer. So being at the workplace entales you to dress appropriately because the dress code for the workplace is strongly determined by the type of work that you are at. It can be the music industry, retail or a communication company.
 Now, the dress code is mostly a problem if there is no uniform. Women are often faced with not knowing what to wear. Wether to wear something tight or revealing, stilletos or flat shoes or the right make-up, as we do have day make-up and evening make-up. Men are often at ease with what to wear but may be sceptical about it. We often face challenges of what to wear for an interview or a meeting. How you dress, really tells a lot about you -but remember not to judge a book by its cover because at the end of the day it is not about having a fashion sense but having style. Is the dress code important? Remember to think carefully about your workplace and who you are going meet or interact with because at the end of the day- the way you dress is how you represent your company's image.You can view...http://humanresources.about.com/od/workrelationships/a/dress_code.htm and http://www.buzzle.com/articles/dress-codes-in-the-workplace.html for my insight on the dress code.