Thought Leadership

Leadership, “Reputation Matters” Forbes, May 13, 2013

The power of a CEO to make – or break – a brand can never be overestimated – even in an interview that took place 7 years ago.

That is just what has happened in the case of Abercrombie & Fitch: an incredibly ill-advised interview that A&F CEO Mike Jeffries granted to Salon Magazine in 2006 has just found new life on the internet. And if his comments – including that he only wants the young, beautiful and thin to wear his clothes – were insensitive and politically incorrect THEN, today they are practically an invitation to riot. Certainly, they are causing a boycott in real time. […read more]

Leadership, “Reputation Matters” Forbes, April 15, 2013

Virality is the Holy Grail of Both Corporate and Personal Social Media.

We all want to fashion that one perfect tweet or post that will circumnavigate the globe in minutes or days, and will boost our number of followers and “klout” score to the stratosphere. We want to build our brand and reputation. But the public is fickle, and what captures its imagination, much less goes viral, one day might not the next. […read more]

Leadership, “Reputation Matters” Forbes, February 8, 2013

Snowstorms and other natural disasters have been the undoing of mayors and governors for decades.

From Michael Dukakis, governor of Massachusetts in the ’70s and ’80s, to Michael Bloomberg’s absence in a December 2011 snowstorm, when municipal leaders don’t anticipate, lead through, and follow up immediately after storm crises, their reputations can take severe hits.

Responsibility without authority is one of the worst situations a leader can face, they say in the military. And, if you think about it, snowstorms and other acts of God are the epitome of responsibility without authority. The leader has responsibility, but a lot of the authority is in the hands of nature.

How can leaders prove their mettle – or salt – as Blizzard Nemo hits today, and over the weekend? Here are eight suggestions, culled from years of crisis (man-made and God-made) advisory work. […read more]

Reputation Matters, Forbes, January 2, 2013

After a year of such spectacular reputation failures, it’s about time that we all paid some concerted attention to our own reputations, both personal and corporate.

Whether it was Joe Paterno, Apple Maps, or Congress acting irresponsibly in the face of a “fiscal cliff,” when a person or organization acts inconsistently with their established “brand,” what they have promised, or how the world sees them, that tarnish doesn’t wear off quickly. In fact it can redefine them because today as always, reputation trumps all. […read more]

Reputation Matters, Forbes, October 31, 2012

11 Rules for Communication in the Aftermath of Crisis — Davia’s latest Forbes piece for her column, Reputation Matters.

How you recover, and how you communicate during recovery – yours and others’ – can set the stage for business continuity, future growth, and customer and employee loyalty, or the exact opposite.

If you don’t mention it, you appear heartless; if you give in to it, you appear weak. That is the fine line that each one of us faces in communicating with colleagues, customers, bosses, vendors, friends and family, in the aftermath of historic hurricane Sandy – and after every major national disaster. Here are 11 suggestions that can help. […read more]

Reputation Matters, Forbes, October 29, 2012

In the face of natural disaster, denial is the enemy of the solution. Denial is the enemy of crisis preparation. Resilience and action will be the two qualities crucial to survival during Hurricane Sandy, and to a return to normalcy. Here are three tips on how to face, prepare for, and survive the damage. […read more]