The value of feedback

Many businesses in Greece have incorporated social media in their communication strategy but there are still others that due to the fear of bad reputation or negative feedback keep denying to evolve.

Feedback, according to a social media survey conducted on behalf of PRWeek, MS&L and CA Walker, is the number one business use of social media, while second comes the consumer understanding and the competitive landscape and third the relationship building with the key influencers.

Feedback is directly associated to the two way communication, both asymmetric and symmetric. As Grunig and Hunt supported, the feedback of a two way asymmetric communication is used in order a business to adapt more persuasive communication strategies, while the feedback as a product of a two way symmetric communication aims to alert the position of both organization and publics on an issue. The second approach leads to the Public Relations Excellence.

Its up to every business’s decision therefore, to choose the easier way of asymmetric two way communication or the challenging symmetric one, that will transform it to a business that truly cares about its customers and makes any effort to provide them the best.

Noise pollution by... robo calls

As stated at badpitch.blogspot.com, studies show that noise pollution works. Voters receive hundreds of messages via post, SMS and robo calls, as politicians make every effort to make known their candidacy and gain people’s support.

In Greece the use of computer delivered pre-recorded messages, is not widely spread, as still it is expected a more personalised approach by the politicians. But in U.S. the use of robo call has turned into major social problem during pre-election periods. U.S. legislation does not allow the use of robo calls for telemarketing purposes, but exempts political parties and politicians as they are considered a separate category.

Although there are many displeased citizens that receive numerous calls, this method is still used because it is evaluated as effective. Robo calls are helpful in introducing a candidate or a famous supporter of him/ her out there ,while it costs just few pennies per call. The problem is currently so extensive that an advocacy group (http://www.stoppoliticalcalls.org/) with over 200.000 members emerged. This non profit organisation collects the contact details of people who do not wish to receive robo calls and sends them to all political parties, candidates and political action committees.

Although it is a great initiative, I believe that candidates by themselves are the ones that have to put an end in this techno-harassment. If they do not respect the voters how they can count on them for their vote?
A politician that would follow an explicit anti-robo calls campaign would have many chances to be a winner!