The spirit is willing, but the body is weak
Its another angst filled day. The constant struggle to deliver within expectation is really driving me insane. It is a constant dichotomy that has evolved to become a malignant tumour.
My job is such that I am to project a true and consistent image of the corporation. It is my job to ensure that its position in the market is enhanced, or at least protected. I am to create a positive spin, within legal and moral confines, to ensure the publics have the confidence to continue that sometimes tenous relationship.
A simple job. Right?
I beg to differ. Like the saying goes, garbage in, garbage out.
Where does the corporation stand? You try to make sense of all the terminologies you learn in school. Brand positioning, competitive forces, SWOT analysis, top-down mangament, management styles, leadership skills.
At times, I feel as though I have let everyone down. I am an utter failure as a communicator, both internally and externally. Do employees really know the company they are working for? Do they know where the company stands in relation to the competition? Do the investors know where the company is headed? Are their investments secure for the foreseeable future? Are they willing to invest in the company, or increase their investment?
But is it my fault? Maybe it is. If only I had tried harder to assert my influence in the early days. If only I had been more involved in playing the popularity game. If only I had been more concerned about fitting in, to go with the flow. Alas. Who was I to think that I could change the world? Especially within the confines of a culture steeped in favouritism and where "who you suck up to" is more important than what you know. Sigh, therein lies the core problem.
I am unpopular. How can the PR guy be unpopular? The PRO is the person who brings in the business and is the one to sell the bottles on the shelves. Hell he is the one who sits on laps and sings a few songs. Its such an easy and no-brainer job. Why have him around?
This department's core fucntion is not to push bottles, for heavens' sakes. The PR department acts as the conscience of the company? Image, is it skin deep? Or does it emnate right from the deepest core of the company? It is a fine line that separates the two, but in essence they are separated by a gulf of differences. The former requires lots of positive and sometimes false spins. Its like cosmetic surgery, some nip and tuck, and wahla, you are beautiful again. In truth, image is the projection of the company's innermost believes. It too requires spin, but these are done truthfully.
You know what? I think this company is lost. It is akin to suffering from a mid-life crisis. It has lost its identity. It does not know where it is headed. It does not know what it wants. It does not know how to go about getting there. There. Where's that? Ask any 2 person, and they will give you different versions. Escalate that to 10000 employees worldwide. No wonder I am so angst filled.
Suddenly, I fathom the problem. It is crystal clear. We are in trouble. It is time to press the panic button.
Wait! where is the button? Which is the panic button? Every button is red. Every button is of the same size. And there are 30 buttons in all. Which is the Panic button?
My job is such that I am to project a true and consistent image of the corporation. It is my job to ensure that its position in the market is enhanced, or at least protected. I am to create a positive spin, within legal and moral confines, to ensure the publics have the confidence to continue that sometimes tenous relationship.
A simple job. Right?
I beg to differ. Like the saying goes, garbage in, garbage out.
Where does the corporation stand? You try to make sense of all the terminologies you learn in school. Brand positioning, competitive forces, SWOT analysis, top-down mangament, management styles, leadership skills.
At times, I feel as though I have let everyone down. I am an utter failure as a communicator, both internally and externally. Do employees really know the company they are working for? Do they know where the company stands in relation to the competition? Do the investors know where the company is headed? Are their investments secure for the foreseeable future? Are they willing to invest in the company, or increase their investment?
But is it my fault? Maybe it is. If only I had tried harder to assert my influence in the early days. If only I had been more involved in playing the popularity game. If only I had been more concerned about fitting in, to go with the flow. Alas. Who was I to think that I could change the world? Especially within the confines of a culture steeped in favouritism and where "who you suck up to" is more important than what you know. Sigh, therein lies the core problem.
I am unpopular. How can the PR guy be unpopular? The PRO is the person who brings in the business and is the one to sell the bottles on the shelves. Hell he is the one who sits on laps and sings a few songs. Its such an easy and no-brainer job. Why have him around?
This department's core fucntion is not to push bottles, for heavens' sakes. The PR department acts as the conscience of the company? Image, is it skin deep? Or does it emnate right from the deepest core of the company? It is a fine line that separates the two, but in essence they are separated by a gulf of differences. The former requires lots of positive and sometimes false spins. Its like cosmetic surgery, some nip and tuck, and wahla, you are beautiful again. In truth, image is the projection of the company's innermost believes. It too requires spin, but these are done truthfully.
You know what? I think this company is lost. It is akin to suffering from a mid-life crisis. It has lost its identity. It does not know where it is headed. It does not know what it wants. It does not know how to go about getting there. There. Where's that? Ask any 2 person, and they will give you different versions. Escalate that to 10000 employees worldwide. No wonder I am so angst filled.
Suddenly, I fathom the problem. It is crystal clear. We are in trouble. It is time to press the panic button.
Wait! where is the button? Which is the panic button? Every button is red. Every button is of the same size. And there are 30 buttons in all. Which is the Panic button?
posted by Brother John at 10:20 AM
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