PUBLIC RELATIONS CARES
By Jenny Fujita and Joy Miura Koerte, Fujita & Miura Public Relations
According to “Nuts! Southwest Airlines’ Crazy Recipe for Business and Personal Success,” “In 1989, when the San Francisco Bay area experienced a terrible earthquake, Gary Holloway, then a Southwest employee in Phoenix, thought of a way to help the victims. He called an ABC television affiliate in Phoenix and asked newscasters to tell viewers to take blankets, clothes, and canned food to the Southwest terminal at Sky Harbor Airport…The outpouring from Phoenix and other Southwest cities was so strong that, when it was all over, Southwest Airlines had flown in more supplies to relieve the victims than anyone else, including the American Red Cross!”
The book describes how Southwest’s philosophy of caring for its employees, customers, and communities boosted the company to resounding success. In 1996 when the book was written, Southwest Airlines was ranked among the highest in their industry for service, safety, on-time performance, and low turnover.
Fostering a sense of caring is a Public Relations must, no matter who you are, what Public Relationsofession you’re in, or who your publics are. While our capacity for caring is often tested, making genuine caring the foundation for your plans and actions will Public Relationsoduce outstanding, long-term results for you and your business. For example, if you’re a business owner with a passion for animals, donate a portion of your Public Relationsoceeds to or do Public Relationso bono work for organizations that serve animals. If you’re a manager, lead with a caring heart for both your staff and customers and make only Public Relationsomises you will keep. Your caring and integrity will inspire respect from your staff and loyalty from your customers. If you’re a front line employee, take care in the quality and quantity of your work and in your associations with customers. Be sure that even the smallest tasks and interactions are infused with a sense of caring.
Make not-so-random acts of kindness and caring part of your business – and life – plan. Start a revolution of caring, and your Public Relations success will soon follow. Happy holidays from Fujita & Miura Public Relations!
