Online Public Relations Thoughts

When one company does badly, analysts are quick to blame the CEO. When all companies do badly, CEOs get a bye. That is the case here and here and even, here. From a PR persepctive, the cover is helpful. One doesn't have to spend as much time defending a CEO's performance. Pointing to the economy is enough. On the other hand, how a CEO responds to downturns is as important as growth. The discipline that a CEO shows in managing a business through rough times is as important for credibility as revenue and earnings. PR should emphasize what a CEO is doing to throttle back and how well the company is implementing. Leadership is never easy, but there may be less stress in good times than in bad. Bad times show how firm of a grip a CEO has on a business.