Sugar-coated, bitter treat. Choose wisely (:

Dear journal, time flies and it’s has already been 10 weeks! This week’s readings cover the all-important crisis management and third sector, and mark a full stop to the 10-week long blog entries. In the real world, plans often get deterred due to different and sudden ambushes, thus there is a need to understand how to deal with a crisis and what to do.
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This brings us to my first point in crisis management, where terrorism remains the biggest threat in the 21st century today. After appalling acts of terrorism like September 11 and Bali Bombing scarred the lives of many, it is evident that we need to be on constant guard so as to protect ourselves. Being looked upon as professionals who are able to react quickly and efficiently during a crisis, PR practitioners themselves should be trained in this aspect so that they know how to handle situations. And as I’ve mentioned in the previous entry, planning is crucial in handling tacky situations and PR practitioners should aim to achieve a foolproof strategy to back up any failed plan.

When hit by a crisis, it requires much brain power from authorities to build community trust and faith. Other than terrorism threats, the power of Mother Nature is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. We have felt the power of Hurricane Katrina and Asian Tsunami in this 21st century, and we have seen lives and families being torn apart. Undoubtedly, it was with excellent crisis management skills to tackle those grueling situations. I feel that as PR practitioners, we should equip ourselves with such proficiency so that we’ll have an edge over the rest. Pr practitioners are the mediators, the ones who convey important information and encourage 2-way communication skills.
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Another food for thought would be under the Third Sector where I am exposed to immoral strategies being practiced by unethical organisations. They are: Astroturfing and Greenwashing, where both utilise the manipulation of public minds and thus making them think like what the organisations what they to. Both are highly corrupted values and should be condemned down right to earth.

Astroturfing: Known as ‘fee for service’ where paid individuals manifest themselves as the general public, and influence others to think like the organisation.

Greenwashing: Using PR to manipulate public views that corporations are acting in environmentally friendly ways, when they are actually not.

Such unethical strategies seem to be the norm in the working society, and we as PR students should gain knowledge about them so that we wouldn’t make a mistake on accident. I find this really worthy of note, as I have never noticed such flaws in everything prior to this. It really gave me an interesting insight and has opened a whole new perception for me!
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In a nutshell, these 10 weeks of blog entries and readings have taught me things that I never thought I would achieve from books and notes. They showed me a whole new flipside to the profession of PR practitioners and allowed me to consider carefully if I want to further this profession. I must admit that I am still not sure if I’m up to the task, but I’m willing to try.
Short-lived as this blog is, it has certainly helped me a lot and I’m sure I’ll use it for future reference.

Ciao! (:


Love, Erika