The Lion King | 43
Career
legal, corporate communications and
PR involved, and they may do a post
mortem to help avoid a similar event.
That essentially is crisis management,
not reputational risk management.
While crisis management is important,
it may not be enough when dealing
with reputational risk issues as it typi-
cally entails taking backward-looking,
reactive measures after a risk event has
occurred.
On the other hand, managing reputa-
tional risk should start with looking at the
company’s strategy, what markets a
company is entering, what products or
services it is offering and what are the
critical risks and value killers that could
sink the company’s brand.
The next step is developing an early
warning system to see and head off
an adverse event before it can im-
pact reputation. That forward-looking
approach is elementary to anticipating
and managing the new risks that the
digital trend –social media and others
are presenting.
Processes for managing
reputation risks
Identify the value killers, this can be
done by creating listening posts, which
can help organizations understand and
monitor how it is perceived by employ-
ees, customers, vendors, shareholders,
analyst, activist, non-governmental
organizations (NGOs), competitors and
others.
Understand outside perceptions and
what is shaping those perceptions to
help the organization make strategic
decisions with regard to products,
services, pricing, locations, advertis-
ing, sponsorships and other corporate
activities.
Encourage feedback, even
complaints
Do not wait until things go wrong to
measure or evaluate an organisations
reputation. Rather than assume an
organisation’s reputation is great, en-
gage in surveys to understand how the
organisation is perceived by the public
and customers.
In banking, protecting the reputation of
the bank is the duty of every employee
as a matter of principle. We all bear the
responsibility for dealing with reputa-
tional risks.
Six ways
to manage
your ego
1. Be modest about your past recognition,
achievement and or title
Move on from your past achievements, it might collapse the bridge
to get you to your next important destination. Egoism kills your
focus and engagement.
2. Be economical with your introduction
Manage every conversation uniquely, do not put yourself in a box.
Share nominal important information about
yourself. Allow the conversation to guide
what you choose to share. A natural
conversation opens doors to delve into
other topics opening a better chance
of connecting on a personal level.
3. Pursue humility
Humility is great way to gain trust and
respect from both junior and senior col-
leagues. It shows when it is not forced.
4. Let logic win
Allow logic and evidence (data) to
support your position and never
your authority. This will get more
people to listen to you and
believe in your position.
5. Prove it
Many can and will talk,
but only few can and
will do. Think it through,
open yourself up
to options and if
possible get it done.
Why say it if you
can prove it?
6. Listen
It takes more
to listen than to
talk. It definitely
gets you more. It is
worthy to note that we stop
listening the minute we judge
anyone or anything. Listening
effectively is a skill that builds
positive relationships.
By Henry Kodie Korsah
