Hi there, I fully endorse your views. But how many of youngsters are to-day open for suggestion of past seniors ? I had very bitter experience in this regard. Even once you came to my rescue on this count. Even now, I am open to learn from youngsters, provided I am convinced of end results. s.n.surkund
--- On Fri, 9/5/08, Bobby Shivyana <yanbab2002@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: Bobby Shivyana <yanbab2002@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Fwd: [prpoint] DNA Story on PR profession - Why PR is viewed negatively?
To: prpoint@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, September 5, 2008, 6:44 AM
Dear Mr Srinivasan,
DNA story is interesting. Apart from day to day litmus tests, PR profession is now put to a DNA test by Vikram. While DNA, deoxyribo nucleic acid is related to genetic development and functioning of living organisms with molecules playing the role of longterm storage of genetic information, this DNA, daily news & analysis has reported yet another wrong side functioning of PR and Corpcom professionals and once again focused on longtime rivalry between cousin professions.
My friend says, Journalists and PR professionals genealogically belong to Moon and that they work as reflectors only. It is to be verified. But I can say, the efficiency of reflectors depend on the amount of light they receive and repel/absorb and the quality of the reflective surface. It means the stuff.
Out of your experience, you have categorized professionals into A, B & C. Very practical. Your suggestion for repairing our homes first is the need of the hour. Let every one of us look at our seniors for learning from them and look after juniors for educating them.
Regards,
Y. Babji
Hyderabad
----- Original Message ---- From: Prime Point Srinivasan <prpoint@gmail. com> To: Prpoint Group <prpoint@yahoogroups .com> Sent: Friday, September 5, 2008 11:18:52 AM Subject: Fwd: [prpoint] DNA Story on PR profession - Why PR is viewed negatively? dear friends Vikram has brought out a pertinent issue. Probably few of our members may remember that in 2005, we had a series of discussions on PR vs. Media in this group. This was subsequently followed with Media - PR - Corporate Interface at Asian College of Journalism at Chennai. The background note, deliberations are available in the following link. The discussions are relevant even today for this discussion. http://www.primepoi ntfoundation. org/roundtable_ media_pr1. htm As a person, who is in this profession for a long time and having experienced the evolution of PR over two decades, including PR 2.0, I prefer to categorise the PR and Corpcom professionals working in the industry into three categories like A,B,C. Category A - May constitute around 10%. Highly proactive professionals. They do lot of home work about the industry of their clients. They keep a cordial relationship with media persons. Media persons look for such professionals for help, contact, information, etc. These people bring reputation to the industry. Media respects them, because they do not confine only for their needs. They are helpful to the media also. I have seen few people actively involved in supporting various journalists for their various stories. I have seen many journalists used to contact them for help. Cateogry B - Majority of the people say around 60% fall under this category. They do home work about their client only. They may not know much about the happenings in the industry, etc. They contact the journalists only when they are in need. Media people also do not contact them for any help. They are neutral. These type of PR professionals neither increase or damage the reputation. Cateogry C - Constitute around 30% - nearly one third - Many among these people join the profession by default and not by choice. They do not do home work about the client and the industry. They will not show interest in updating their knowledge and skills. Many times, they will use jargons, learnt from the colleges. Easy going type. They do the job more as a routine, than out of passion. Some, out of them, assume to have more knowledge than even their seniors and would even comment that they know nothing. These people may not continue in the industry and would stay here for some stop gap. These people create damage to the industry because of their attitude and behaviour. We had also discussed in our group earlier, about the arrogant behaviour of some young professionals in Corpcom with Seniors PR agencies, because their company has engaged those agencies. They will damage the reputation of the industry and walk off from there. I have also heard from young professionals that many of the top rated PR Agencies, allow these young kids who ave joined for pitching stories independently wihout any guidance. These agencies do not find time to develop the skills of young kids. While blaming others, we also need to introspect ourselves and keep our house in order. This ABC category will also be applicable in all professions, including marketing, media, etc. We need to upgrade the B category people to A category; C category to B category and then to A. Though, we may not be able to eradicate the C category fully, we need to identify such people amongst us and guide them. The CEOs and Seniors in PR and Corpcom should start analysing their 'human portfolio' and take efforts in upgrading them. I will be too happy to get myself associated with any of the efforts planed by PR organisations.
srinivasan On Tue, Sep 2, 2008 at 3:43 PM, vikram <pr.vikram@gmail. com> wrote: Dear Friends
Vivek Kaul, a senior journalist from DNA had written this piece in
its Sunday edition. Please go through this article and tell me how
exactly you feel after reading it? Do you think we should respond to
this? or we should admit that these things happen in our industry
and continue working without taking any corrective steps? Why is our
profession viewed in such a negative light? Can't we do anything to
change the perception.
I appeal to all PR specialists and specially the senior guys please
respond with your comments.
Do you have two minutes?
Vivek Kaul
Saturday, August 30, 2008 21:25 IST
I may be one of those lucky few who is not besieged with calls,
trying to sell a credit card, a personal loan or holiday packages.
Either my service provider hasn't sold its database yet or I am just
plain lucky. Nevertheless, that does not mean I do not get any
calls. I get lots of calls from public relations professionals (I am
wondering if you have two minutes types). And this is how a typical
call goes:
Me: Hello…
Caller: Hi. This is Shafalica calling from Next Generation Image
Management (Image Management, Peter Drucker must be turning in his
grave). Is that Vivek?
Me (in a rather bored voice): Ji. Boliye.
Shafalica: I was wondering whether you had two minutes? (For the
uninitiated 'wondering' is the most oft used word by Public
Relations and Corporate Communication Professionals. )
Me: Yes, Tell me. (now trying not to sound bored)
Shafalica: We have this client called Rose Wealth Management
(Management again. Drucker must be back to original position now,
since he must have turned again). Their CEO Vishal Mansukhani would
like to contribute to your newspaper. (Contribute is another
favourite with PR guys.)
Me: What does he want to contribute?
Shafalica: I was wondering (not again) if you would be interested in
an article from his side. (Now that gets me interested. An article,
so that means less work for a day. And since he is a corporate guy,
he won't charge. So suddenly, we are talking 'win-win' management
here)
Me: Hmmm. An article. So what does he want to write on?
Shafalica: I was wondering if you had any ideas on what he could
contribute on? ( If I have an idea, wouldn't I rather write it
myself? Those who write on a regular basis will understand that
figuring out what to write is the most difficult part. Writing it
out is much easier. If the person doesn't even have a clue on what
he wants to write, what sort of an expert is he supposed to be? Or
is it just laziness.)
Me: No. I don't have any ideas (And even if I had, why should I give
them to you. I am tempted to scream.)
Shafalica (now at a loss of words): Hmmm. Let me talk to Mr
Manshukhani, and ask him what he is comfortable writing on and then
get back to you.
Shafalica: Bye.
--
Best Regards,
Vikram Kharvi
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