What can I say about Harper’s latest move to prorogue parliament? Well it got me thinking about whether shutting down communications and accountability can actually be a viable option. For the Conservatives, only time will tell, but the approach is counter intuitive to basic public relation principal.
What if a company took this approach? How would customers and shareholders react? Businesses who decide to fly under the radar will never be the Apples or the Nikes of the world, nor will it help a Conservative government get a majority. When you shut down the only vehicle where customers, or in this case Canadians, get questions get answered, you are sacrificing your opportunity to deliver your key messages and limiting your ability to gauge public opinion, not to mention acting undemocratically.
So Harper, why the silent treatment? From my experience, good communications is vital to a company’s success. It results in an increased market valuation, increased shareholder value, greater connection and commitment with customers, and an open and honest reputation that makes people want to do business with you. Without this transparency, mistrust grows, and when a real crisis arises you won’t easily recover. And for governments in Canada, rest assured, the next crisis is just around the corner.
So it may be time for Harper to start listening to the communications professionals and start fostering a culture of openness, which includes opening the doors of parliament.
