Ooooh.
I can hear the 'customers are always right!' phrase coming out already. But really, are they always right?
Lets put myself in the shoes of a client who pays a lot of money to a PR agency to get the job done for them. It could be a campaign to promote my brand during turbulent times and push sales, or generate awareness regarding a product launched just recently. The reason why I hired professional help instead of doing it on my own is because of the trust that the PR consultant knows best how to make this work.
So if you are in a position where you know that what the client is suggesting will not work, should you still do what my client wants you to do?
Choices, choices.
Honestly, I wouldn't. Purely based on principles and work ethics. But then again, honest people are easily deceived, and principles have no real force except when one is well-fed.
When we are in the actual situation and we're hard pressed to make a decision, we tend to forget to do what's right. And we do what's beneficial to us instead.
I believe it's a thin line to thread on. And it boils down personal discretion. Because what's wrong for me may be perfectly fine to another.
You know I have perfectly no idea what this has got to do with what went on in class. Because it definitely has got nothing to do with goals, objectives, strategy and tactics. But it's a thought process that went on that I felt brought about an awareness about the PR industry. And I think it's worth sharing. I'm looking forward to the debate - I think it's going to be an interesting presentation of ideas and ideals because theory can only justify so much. Till the next time. (:
My take is: client will come up with the rough ideas and PR practitioners will have to make it more focused and practical.
ReplyDeleteI think clients should be the idealistic party who come up with ideas so bombastic that they become unrealistic. Meanwhile, Pr practitioners should use their PR talents and tame down the ideas to make it more practical.
Let's say if I am the client, I would want 50% increase in sales because hiring a PR practitioner to promote my product launch is sooo expensive (even though ultimately, it is not so expensive). But I being a stingy client who just thinks of profit will want to earn more than I pay the PR practitioners.
Or maybe I'm just stereotyping businessmen? HEHEHE.
Yes Raudhah, I think you are. Haha.
ReplyDeleteBut I agree. It takes two hands to clap. And it's about being tactical when dealing with difficult bosses. And communication. Especially communication. (: