Question

Topic: Strategy

Strategies To Restore/enhance Reputation?

Posted by wayne_r on 10/21/2015 at 10:59 AM ET 500 Points
It is said that a reputation once damaged could possibly be repaired, but society would always be focused on the spot where the crack was...
In the era of chaos, violent student protest and social media coverage and 'fuelling the fire'-

What strategies could be employed to enhance a tertiary institutions reputation?
To continue reading this question and the solution, sign up ... it's free!
SUBSCRIBE
Or, SIGN IN

RESPONSES

  • Posted by Peter (henna gaijin) on 10/21/2015 at 12:01 PM Accepted
    Got an example of damaged reputation?

    In most cases I can think of, if it is an incident that caused the damage (professor in an inappropriate relationship with student, cheating scandal, etc.) dealing with the culprit and ensuring it doesn't happen again likely would prevent long term damage to reputation. There recently was an example at UC Berkeley of an Astronomy professor who was doing inappropriate things, and ever since he left the University, seems to be done. So not really a hit on UC Berkeley's reputation.




  • Posted by wayne_r on 10/21/2015 at 12:12 PM Author
    Agreed. But let's take a current situation here in South Africa, there is currently a volatile and has been violent backlash to tertiary institutions, their fees. So much so that it has many if not all currently closed. What strategies could one use to during this 'uprising' and discontent by a group - which has spread nationwide amongst all the tertiary institutions to protect the brand and even possibly maintain a reputation that isn't seen to be oppressive or antagonistic?
  • Posted by jstiles on 10/21/2015 at 5:19 PM Accepted
    Is there a leadership to the student body? Perhaps they could be brought in to see the details to the budgets and if things are stretched maybe they can be pressed to suggest solutions. They may not like the fee increase being imposed but perhaps if they see that it is unavoidable to keep necessary curriculum intact they will understand better. Protest is typically made by the powerless, involve them in the solution and they will live better with the sacrifices.

    Just a thought.
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 10/21/2015 at 7:11 PM Accepted
    I recommend reading "Masters of Disaster" by Christopher Lehane, Mark Fabiani, and Bill Guttentag. I reviewed this book here: https://www.manygoodideas.com/2013/04/01/masters-of-disaster/
  • Posted by Peter (henna gaijin) on 10/21/2015 at 9:13 PM Accepted
    If it is all Universities/Colleges that are being protested against, then each individual University/College likely isn't taking a hit, but the government is.

    To make a positive out of this, can anything be done to lower the fees of the institution or institutions that you work with?
  • Posted by wayne_r on 10/22/2015 at 8:34 AM Author
    Thanks for responses. This is the problem - the Universities are government institutions and Givernment shifts blame and spotlight. Many Chancellors have waived bonuses and pay increases but are still seen to be elitist or representing 'white' South Africa despite them being African. I agree that involving is a great suggestion and this too has been done. Would utilizing social media - the same platforms that they are currently using with postings explaining or showing a different side inflame or be of benefit?
  • Posted by telemoxie on 10/22/2015 at 8:55 AM Accepted
    I'm no expert, but from where I sit it seems to me that the nonviolent protests and tactics of the past have been replaced by violence and mob rule and chaos. I'm not sure I would try something new. I think I would try something old. I would try to encourage nonviolent social change, and work closely with those people who are pursuing change in a nonviolent way, and try to marginalize the criminals and thugs and rioters.
  • Posted by Peter (henna gaijin) on 10/22/2015 at 11:03 AM Member
    Just using social media is not a solution, but may be a small step that you would use. Saying the same thing through a new communication channel won't help.

    The basic solution is to listen to the demands (make sure you fully understand their side), talk to them about your limitations, and do what you can to improve the situation. Most fail at this by not doing the listening step well enough.
  • Posted by telemoxie on 11/2/2015 at 8:30 AM Member
    Here's another perspective. Communications technology is changing the world. You can get incredible amounts of information online essentially for free. Colleges and universities in the United States are beginning to offer tuition free programs. It is no longer necessary to sit in a classroom and listen to a tenured professor. Naturally, the career academics and tenured professors would prefer to find a way to maintain the status quo. But we must ask, are they dinosaurs? Are they the buggy whip manufacturers of the last century? Is an outdated and inefficient and overly expensive model of education standing in the way of educating millions? Maybe the protesters are right.
  • Posted by Shelley Ryan on 11/20/2015 at 6:12 PM Moderator
    Hi Everyone,

    I am closing this question since there hasn't been much recent activity.

    Thanks for participating!

    Shelley
    MarketingProfs
BACK TO TOP

Post a Comment

Related Discussions

Community Info

Top 25 Experts
(Strategy)