Leadership
2021 is Coming, and Not Soon Enough!
by Frank L. Williams It’s safe to say that 2020 has not been the year we hoped or expected. This year has thrown a bevy of curveballs at us, with the biggest of them being COVID-19. I’ve spoken with some who are excited that 2020 will soon come to an end, while others are concerned…
Read MoreHow to Be a Good Client
by Frank Williams I’ve worked with a wide range of clients over the course of my more than 20 years in the public relations profession. We’ve been able to help many businesses, non-profits and individuals accomplish their communication goals. In other cases, however, I felt like something was missing. I get excited when I know…
Read MoreWhen Tensions are High, Think Before You Speak, Post, or Send
by Frank L. Williams The events of 2020 have dramatically altered the communication landscape in which leaders must operate. This year has been so filled with crises that memes speculating on what could be next are a prevalent feature in my social media feeds. As leaders, we must understand that emotions run high during a…
Read MoreLeadership, Communication and Setting the Tone During a Crisis
by Frank L. Williams During a crisis, people expect leaders to lead. Whether you are a business owner, association director, elected official or Rotary president, those under your leadership will look to you for direction and hope during a crisis. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, people are craving security and stability during a crisis that…
Read MoreWebinar: Leadership and Communication in a Crisis
The Coronavirus Shock: A Time for Leaders to Lead
by Frank L. Williams A month ago we were starting to hear about Coronavirus, but I doubt if any of us could have imagined the impact the spread of COVID-19 has had on our communities, our nation, our world and, yes, our businesses. While all citizens are now navigating a different world than the one…
Read MoreBuild Your Reputation Before You Need It
by Frank L. Williams At its heart, public relations is about building and maintaining relationships with key publics. Relationships that stand the test of time are rooted in trust. Trustworthiness and credibility are joined at the hip. Credibility can be defined as the quality of being trusted and believed in or the quality of being convincing or believable. If you lack credibility,…
Read MorePR: It’s About Relationships, Not “Spin” or “Free Publicity”
by Frank L. Williams Over the years, I’ve run across more than a few people who think public relations is about nothing more than “spin” or “free publicity.” They are wrong. Stereotypes such as those dramatically oversimplify the public relations process. In 2011 and 2012, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) conducted a member-engagement process to…
Read MoreCredibility and Your Business’ Reputation
by Frank L. Williams In my last post, I touched on the importance of credibility. Credibility can be defined as the quality of being trusted and believed in or the quality of being convincing or believable. This column focuses on how a business’ reputation and credibility are interdependent and how they impact a business’ brand. If you are in business, there are (hopefully) a…
Read MoreWhat is Credibility and Why Does it Matter?
by Frank Williams Public relations and communication professionals will tell you that establishing, building and maintaining credibility is one of the most frequently mentioned purposes of a public relations program. I’ve heard about the importance of credibility ever since my first public relations classes at N.C. State (longer ago than I want to admit). But…
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