Planar Systems took an important step this week and sat down with Portland Business Journal technology reporter Erik Siemers to talk about their strategy for growth. Planar outlined steps the company took to safeguard the viability of the business though the economic downturn and how Planar is intelligently positioning itself to be in front of an explosive technology trend that is the growing demand for digital signage.
I applaud companies who take an honest, forthright approach to communicating their story and even going so far as to share lessons learned particularly through something as difficult as the global economic reset that has occurred over the last several years. In this day and age of audience centric communications if you can’t come across as a real person who is being transparent and sensitive to the needs of your customers, partners and community – you will run into trouble.
What I would challenge companies to think about moving forward is how we communicate to our stakeholders, customers, partners, investors and neighbors when the going gets tough and we’d rather not say anything. There is an opportunity there and you shouldn’t miss it.
When things are bad economically or if your company is going through a crisis – this is exactly the time you should step up and speak authentically about what you are doing to address the problem. Speak about what you’ve learned through the process as new information comes to light, and frankly, take a humble approach to whatever challenge your company has faced. The ability to demonstrate courage and transparency even in the face of adversity to me is what thought leadership is really all about. Don’t do it alone, prepare, find a smart PR person that will tell you the truth, not just feed you your own company Kool-Aid®, and then go within yourself and find that voice deep inside that believes in the mission of your company, your employees and the product or services you provide your customers. And, to coin an oft used phrase, just do it.
Planar's new Clarity Matrix Touch LCD Video Wall