Public Relations in Action

      Today, the entire world is integrated, connected by the internet, social media, and international operating companies. E-commerce has propelled this as well, helping to also create a global society of consumers (Seitel, 2019). The consumer class continues to expand, desiring bigger houses, cars, and nonessential goods. This can be largely beneficial for companies, as they are able to spread brand awareness and have a worldwide reach to new customers. However, in times of trouble, word can spread fast. The increase in consumption has led to companies expanding to meet consumer needs. These companies now face pressure to act ethically in the eyes of consumers. When these companies fall short, word spreads to the global public through different media channels, leading some consumers to have negative perceptions of the company. This is why public relations strategies are even more necessary today; the “public eye” that these companies are in is now worldwide. ...

       For many companies, public relations often relates to the perception of the company, its values, and products or services in the eye of the public. Management and PR teams are constantly looking at statistics, working to creating media content, and spending money on improving their brand image. One of the most important parts of any company, however, is public relations with the internal public, or an organization’s employees. Recently, businesses have experienced a significant decline in trust from their internal public due to a few factors. Income inequality, the pace of downsizing and layoffs, the globalization of commerce, and frequent workplace changes are all issues that have gained traction and cause uncertainty among employees, leading them to have less trust in their employers (Seitel, 2019). This shows how essential public relations and communication is within an organization, to build trust and honest relationships with employees. Internal PR s...