Media release: Reputation mentorship matters

Reputation Matters, who has dominated the reputation research space with their customised reputation research tool, the Repudometer®, is excited about their new mentorship service offering.

“It’s our vision to be Africa’s go-to reputation specialists that help businesses to become the business that people want to do business with,” says Regine le Roux, founder and managing director of Reputation Matters.

“In order for us to get that right, we are empowering companies to build their own capacity within the reputation management space,” adds le Roux.

“Our core focus remains reputation research using our proprietary tool, the Repudometer®. With the reputation mentorship programme, we’ll be taking it a step further by helping our clients to keep the momentum going by implementing the recommendations to close the gaps identified in the research.

“We are also targeting entrepreneurs to empower them to build reputable businesses that people want to do business with right from the outset of their entrepreneurial journey,” explains le Roux. 

Reputation management is much more than public relations and clever marketing, it’s about understanding your whole business and how it contributes to how you are being perceived.

Here are three reasons you should consider reputation mentorship:

1.     Empowering yourself with a new way of looking at your business and getting to grips with reputation management. It’s about getting the basics in place and, even more importantly, getting them right. The consistency of your actions contributes to your reputation.

2.     Managing a reputation is simple, but it is not always easy. Reputation management is often confused with public relations or limited to building a strong online presence. It’s just as important to deliver on all the promises that your sales team and ad campaigns make. There are many different components that make up your company’s reputation, and the organisation needs to understand these principles. Managing a reputation isn’t something that can be outsourced. It’s about combining the best of both: Empowering someone within the organisation and linking them up with an external expert to act as mentor. The latter will typically have exposure to many different businesses and industries, acting as a soundboard and guide throughout the mentorship journey.  

3.     Mentorship helps you to take control of your own reputation. As an insider to your organisation, you are best positioned to manage the company’s reputation. A reputation mentor will help you to craft the best strategy and communication framework to maximise your engagement with different stakeholders while at the same time building your company’s reputation.

A reputation takes time to build. The Reputation Matters mentorship course has been developed to follow your own pace. There are eight modules focussing on different areas of the business. Each module starts with a webinar and participants will receive a workbook with very practical exercises to complete.

“We want to empower companies to take their reputations to the next level, thereby amplifying their growth and success and, ultimately, boosting South Africa’s economy!” concludes le Roux.

For more information about Reputation Matters’ mentorship programme and an exciting new launch offer mail: mentorship@reputationmatters.co.za or visit www.reputationmatters.co.za. Follow Reputation Matters on Facebook (@yourreputationmatters) or Twitter (@ReputationIsKey).

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Awesome AfriCAN Businesswoman: Parmi Natesan

Each week I profile dynamic business people who inspire me. This week I'd like to introduce you to Parmi Natesan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Institute of Directors in South Africa (IoDSA)

Parmi Natesan, CEO of the IoDSA

1. Describe in eight words what it is that you do

I help make leaders more ethical and effective

2. What is the biggest myth that you would like to bust about your industry

That being a non-executive director is a “cushy” career with lots of money for little work.  Despite the number of board meetings, the responsibility and work in between meetings is immense.

3. If you could go back in time, what is your biggest business lesson that you would share with yourself on day one of starting your business?

Tough calls sometimes need to be made for the best of the business, so there is no use delaying them.

4. What excites you most about Africa?

The next generation – our children – who are so much more socially and environmentally  conscious than we were.  They will take this continent in the right direction.

5. What is the biggest lesson about money that you want to share with business owners?

You need to make decisions on company spending as if it was your own money - try to understand the value your company is getting in return for every bit of spend.

6. What is your favourite quote

Work it Harder

Make it Better

Do it Faster

Make it Stronger

The week that was 20200125

PROUDEST | MOST GRATEFUL MOMENT

In the media

I am so grateful for the wonderful media coverage that we received this week. We've launched the third annual African Public Relations Association  (APRA) survey measuring ethics and reputation on the African content on an individual, company and country level [here's the link to the press release].

The eNCA interview focussed on reputation, ethics and building trust which many of our state owned entities have lost. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to speak about all things reputation and why it matters.

I was very chuffed to receive a link to CEO Magazine who had published my article on the Thomas Cook crisis from last year. 

I am so grateful to have this little sweetheart in our lives. Last week Mark & I had to change our address at the bank; naturally Madam went with. She was glued to the window checking out exactly where 'Dad' was at all times. 

BIGGEST LESSON THIS WEEK / REMINDER

Friendship needs to be a two way street.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

There were actually quite a few quotes that I noticed this week:

“Prayer is asking for rain and faith is carrying the umbrella,”

Barbara Johnson

From the Dalai Lama: I don't like formality. There's no formality when we're born and none when we die. In between we should treat each other as brothers and sisters because we all want to live a happy life. This is our common purpose and our right.

The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute. The man who doe not ask, is a fool for life. Confucius.

Then there was also this one, rather profound (I've also had many profound conversations with my Uber drivers):

WHAT MADE ME GIGGLE

True story! If you spoke to any Capetonian this week, the conversation would ultimately have started with, "I am so over this wind..."

Nogal Mr Mboweni and Warren Buffet! How lucky am I, all in one week :D

Made. My. Day.!

Media release: The state of ethics and reputation management in Africa

Pic source link 

“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” ~ Warren Buffet

Ethics and reputation are inextricably linked. Many an organisation has experienced how a lack of integrity resulted in a ruined reputation with a disastrous impact on its bottom line. Do businesses, government leaders, and communication professionals understand this link?

The African Public Relations Association (APRA) will be hosting the 32^nd annual APRA Conference in Dar es Salam, Tanzania from 11 to 15 May 2020. The focus of the conference will be on Africa’s march to economic integration and the role that public relations plays in helping to create trust and ultimately to build the narrative for “One Africa”!

For the third consecutive year, APRA is conducting research amongst business leaders and communication experts across the continent to find out what they think of ethics and reputation management in Africa. Reputation specialists, Reputation Matters, are once again conducting the research on behalf of APRA. We invite all business owners and communication practitioners to participate and to share their views on this very important topic.

“Annually, this study delivers fascinating insights into the state of the public relations and communication industry, as well as providing a view on ethical business as a whole,” says Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, president of APRA.

The research investigates how ethics and reputation are managed across three levels: individual, organisational and national, across the African continent.

Badejo-Okusanya lists some of the interesting findings from last year’s study: “On an individual level, the 2019 research found that ethics is the driving force behind people’s decision-making. When it comes to the business world though, there appears to be a disconnect between how the different levels within an organisation perceive ethics and reputation management, with CEOs and other top-level management scoring their organisations’ ethical practices 12% higher than junior and middle management do. From questions around national government, it is apparent that there is a major opportunity for African leaders to incorporate ethics into all decision making.”

“Botswana was perceived to be the most ethical country in Africa in the 2018 and 2019 studies,” shares Chanell Kemp, reputation specialist at Reputation Matters. “This year, we would love to garner even greater response rates from a larger number of African countries. To that end, we are introducing a Portuguese survey in addition to the English and French online questionnaires. We invite everyone to participate in the survey and we look forward to seeing the results. Ultimately our aim is to build greater awareness of the importance of ethics and reputation management on the African continent.”

If you would like to share your views, please select one of the following links according to your language preference. The survey is completely anonymous, unless you choose to provide your information. Please complete the survey by Monday, 23 March 2020 at 17:00:

·                English: https://www.research.net/r/APRA2020

·                French: https://www.research.net/r/APRA2020_Francais

·                Portuguese: Please send an email to research@reputationmatters.co.za for the link.

Thank you for your valuable inputs!

APRA assists in setting standards, creating and enabling a professional environment for accurate perception, goodwill and understanding of necessary and effective PR practices. For more information about APRA visit https://www.afpra.org/ or send a mail to info@afpra.org.

For more information about reputation research, contact Reputation Matters research@reputationmatters.co.za, or visit www.reputationmatters.co.za.

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The month that was 20190118

Happy 2020! 

This past month, I took a break from everything. It is so necessary to take a 'time out' to regroup, recoup and reenergize. 

PROUDEST | MOST GRATEFUL MOMENT

I am so grateful to have spent Christmas in Pretoria with my Mom. Mince pies & coffee for breakfast, eating until we were tired, and slept until we were hungry. Absolutely brilliant. It was also wonderful to have time to do creative things. 

A while back Mark gave me some of his old t-shirts that I cut up to use to crotchet a bed spread with (that project is still in progress...). I couldn't get it over my heart to cut up the whole t-shirt, as I knew it had a lot of sentimental value to him. I wasn't too sure what I wanted to do with the bits & pieces that were left. After some brainstorming with my Mom, she had the brilliant suggestion of pillows. Just look at the fabulous pillows she made! They came out so well, and Mark was so chuffed with them. 

I also had a chance to continue with my patchwork project that I started two Christmas' ago. Finding  the right pattern is like building a puzzle. Managed to get quite a bit done; still got quite a bit of work to do.

Training for the Cape Town Cycle Tour has started again. Last week Mark spoiled me with a road bicycle! I have been riding a hybrid (best description I have for it is that it has two wheels and a bell!). These new wheels are so smart! Absolutely love it! 

Something super cool about the bicycle is that everyone has it's own unique icon on the base. When Mark showed me, I took a quick pic:

Taking a closer look at the photo this morning, I noticed the ice cream, so so apt! Whenever our group cycles to Fish Hoek and back to Hout Bay, we stop for ice cream; this icon is just so cool; absolutely made my day! Shucks, Mark knows me so well. 

The fist week in January we had our team strategy session. I am so grateful for, and proud of my amazing team. We've plotted and planned for an incredibly successful 2020; I for one am incredibly excited about the new year and some very exciting things that we are working on; watch this space...! 

Life Manuwe (right), accredited computer trainer at the Sijongo-Phamibili Community Learning Cenrtre, invited me to the certificate handout of the latest group that completed the basic computer course. As part of our Awesome AfriCAN initiative we helped the Centre with sponsorship of computers and desks two years ago. I am so proud, glad and excited that the computer classes are still taking place.

BIGGEST LESSON THIS WEEK / REMINDER

I learnt that there is an arrow next to your petrol gauge; it's not just a random part of the design as I had thought all of these years. It actually shows you what side of the car your petrol tank is on, so helpful when you need to fill up!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Life asked me to say a few words at the certificate handover. I found these two, that I thought were particularly apt with the work that he is doing:

"What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead," Nelson Mandela.

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world," Nelson Mandela.

WHAT MADE ME GIGGLE

During a ride to Fish Hoek (for ice cream of course!), I noticed this road sign; I see that the photo isn't all that clear; someone had pasted a sticker of a Storm Trooper over the horse rider's face. 

I have mentioned it before that I am a fan of Boet Fighter. This week a video came out of a fight that took place in Fourways Adjacent...a.k.a Kyalami being narrated by Boet Fighter. It. Is. Hilarious! Here's the link to the video. 

...and one last one:

Media Release: Three reputation targets you should be setting for 2020

When talking about an organisation’s targets, many are quick to focus their attention on setting financial goals for the year ahead. While setting financial targets is important, keep in mind that having a healthy reputation will positively influence your bottom line. Setting tangible, timebound and measurable targets to grow and manage your company’s reputation is vital to thriving in a challenging economy.

Chris Bischoff, senior stakeholder liaison at Reputation Matters, outlines three important considerations when setting targets that will take your company’s reputation to new heights in 2020:

1. Purpose and Profit: While a healthy cashflow and profitability is key for any business, it is just as important to leave a positive influence on the people and environment around it. “We are living in a day and age where consumers are not just concerned about the value of the product or service, but also about the value that a business has within society,” says Bischoff. “Our market research has found that the younger generations specifically, the Millenials and Generation Z, want to be connected with a purpose and therefore will favour brands and companies that have a positive impact in society or on the environment.”
2.  Find your A Team: Human capital is one of the most important tangible assets that an organisation can have. “Your company’s employees are your core brand ambassadors and play a crucial role to foster your business’ reputation,” says Bischoff. “Their engagement with external stakeholders should leave an impression that represents your company’s values and team’s credibility. It is largely up to your employees to instil a high level of confidence with your stakeholders so that they trust that they are associated with the right brand.
3.  Measure and manage: How do you know that your stakeholders have confidence in your team, or that they feel proud to be associated with your brand through social or environmental purpose? “Building businesses that people want to do business with is what we do. Be it through reputation research or our newly launched mentorship program.,” explains Bischoff. “Once you establish a baseline score for these business elements that contribute to your reputation, you are able to measure improvement over time, especially after implementing a plan to improve your reputation.”

Reputation Matters uses its proprietary reputation research tool to measure reputation and put percentages to each business element. To extend its reputation management scope, Reputation Matters is excited about its new product offering, its reputation mentorship programme, which has been designed to provide ongoing reputation management support for companies wanting to be armed with the tools to proactively manage their reputations.

For more information about Reputation Matters, visit www.reputationmatters.co.za. Follow Reputation Matters on Facebook (@yourreputationmatters) or Twitter (@ReputationIsKey).

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Released by Reputation Matters