Can an image be improved ?
The image created by your organisation among the current and potential customers is responsible for its success. It is also important to note that your organisation’s image is not fixed in a stone but it can be improved at any time. However it will take you a lot of effort and time to rebuild the image of your organisation to acceptable level if it has deteriorated to the lowest level of bad image.
You can rebuild the image of the organisation using a combination of the following;
Staff as ambassadors
Staff are the ambassadors of the organisation to the outside world. The plan to improve image of the organisation is always communicated to current and potential customers through the staff. The staff must therefore understand the purpose of the plan and also must accept responsibility to implement it. It useless to implement an image improvement plan if your staff have not been fully brought on board. Most of the negative information about the organisations is normally communicated to the outside world through staff. I have had a chance as an employer and consultant to listen to staff of various organisations talking negatively about the organisation’s ways of doing things. Many of the complaints for sure give an organisation a negative image. For sure if one wants to learn a lot about your organisation, he or she just has to listen to the negative talk of your staff.
Customers can promote your organisation
It is important for your customers always to receive first class customer care service from your staff. Once the customers are happy with your service and quality, they will start promoting your organisation to their friends and other people. Your Current customers must therefore be in the knowhow of your plan to improve your image if you have to get some support from them. After all you should not forget customers that always want to associate with organisations which have very good image.
Website and social media
You should not overlook your organisations website and social media accounts as they link your organisation to the outside world through internet. Website and social media have become important because internet has become cheap and readily available to most people who may want to use. It is important therefore your website and social media to be interactive enough to allow current and potential customers to easily reach the organisation.
Advertising through appropriate print and other media
People make decisions based on the information they have in their possession. Therefore the plan to improve your organisation’s image should not be kept as a guarded secret. Information about your organisation image improvement and the expected benefits should be readily available to current and potential clients and other stakeholders to help them in making decisions.
Author
John Muhaise Bikalemesa
Director: Big Drum Advisory Services Limited
john.muhaise@bigdrumassociates.com
