Corporate Reputation Management

In the West, trust often begins with capability: “Show me what you can do, and I’ll believe in you.” But in Japan, it starts with character: “Let me understand who you are, then I’ll trust what you do.” At monoya, we’ve felt this difference deeply. When we first started engaging with Japanese partners, we expected our portfolio and success stories to do the talking. They didn’t. Meetings were polite but reserved. Decisions moved slowly. Then we shifted gears—less pitching, more listening. We invested in relationships. We showed up consistently. We respected silence and patience. Over time, trust started to build—not because we talked about our work, but because we shared our values. One moment that stands out: a partner told us, “What mattered wasn’t your proposal—it was how you carried yourself.” That stuck with us. In Japan, trust isn’t built in the boardroom—it’s built in the in-between moments: over dinner, during shared silences, through consistent follow-ups. It’s relational, not transactional. For global teams entering Japan, remember: trust here is earned slowly, but it’s rock-solid once it’s there. Have you experienced this cultural shift in trust-building? I’d love to hear your thoughts. #Trust #JapanBusiness #CulturalInsights #monoya #CrossCulturalLeadership

I'm the Social Media Specialist at the worlds largest human rights organisation. These are the most effective ways to make an impact online. [Save this for your next campaign ✅] 1. Relevance, Relevance, Relevance. Two years ago, relevance was widely acknowledged to mean participating in the latest TikTok trends. This was not the case then, and is definitely not the case now. Relevance is being tapped into the cultural zeitgeist. Having your finger on the pulse in relevant stories that your audience will care about, not shoehorning your way into a viral moment and trying to relate it (this is where a lot of 'serious' industries go wrong). For example, when the new series of the Handmaid's Tale came out, we posted a carousel of images where women around the world used that iconic red smock in protest of the backsliding of women's rights. Relevance is being present in your own feeds and comment sections to see what people are asking and talking about. Relevance = authority = trust. 2. Always, always have an action, value or statement embedded in what you post. This does not mean a CTA at the end of every post (please don't do this). What it does mean is that your orgs valued should be across everything you do. If someone saw your post in isolation, not on your feed, - which is often the case - would they know it's your brand? How? It's this rule of thumb that 1) strengthens your brand in a social media feed of sameness and 2) ensures you're not just reporting WHAT is happening (because we're not news organizations) but where you stand on it and why. If you want to build on your authority, make a statement. 3. Be useful. (Read: educational, helpful, of value etc.) If platforms are prioritizing content that people will save for later, or share with their friends, why are we still putting out graphics that say Happy International Giving Day and...nothing else? Think about how you use social media. You might have seen a recommended list of films and books in 2020 around Black Lives Matter that you saved to come back to. You might have sent a video on how to make your content more accessible to a colleague. Because they are of value to you. If we're asking our audiences to donate/sign/act, we have to give something to them too. Use my point about relevance and find out what motivates your audience and how it aligns with your organizational priorities. I guarantee most of the information will already be on your website. In this age of social media, we need to recognise that visibility does not always equal value. Impact is the single most important thing we need to deliver. What would you add to the list?

Yesterday’s headline in Business Standard stated that ₹50,000 crore mega IPOs may make it cracker of a Diwali! If successfully executed, these IPOs could solidify India’s position as a major global market player and inspire more companies to consider going public. But what PR and communication tactics are important for a successful IPO? Join me for an insightful discussion with Arun Ohri, Director and leader of Capital Market and Transactions at Adfactors and Nitin Thakur, Global Head of Strategic Alliances & Communications at OYO, as we explore three compelling examples of effective PR communications during an IPO: 1) Vodafone Idea: How the massive scale of their IPO necessitated a nationwide network activation, utilizing category 2 media, and the agility required to respond in real-time to the external environment. 2) Indigene: A new-age pharma company with no direct peers—and so the question of identifying key parameters for investors to judge them on, and leveraging influencers to build credibility and trust. 3) Mamaearth: The journey from a failed IPO attempt to a successful relaunch. Catch the full discussion on the essential communication planning for a successful IPO and gain valuable insights into crafting impactful messages. 1. On Youtube (33 min) - https://bit.ly/4cPKqPO  2. On Spotify (1 hour) - https://bit.ly/4egh0Me A conversation, full of learnings and insights - hope you enjoy this episode of Comms & Conversations. Here’s to many aha moments! If you are enjoying the vodcasts, do subscribe to my YouTube channel - https://bit.ly/3FYebQB where past 24 episodes are also posted. #commsandconversations #LinkedInForCreators #corporatecommunications #PRagencies #mediarelations #marketingcommunications #IPO #CapitalMarkets  

ONE LEADER WITH THE RIGHT STRATEGIES CAN CHANGE THE ENTIRE TRAJECTORY OF YOUR COMPANY. Several weeks before a major IPO, my client, the company’s COO, faced a defining moment. On paper, the company looked unstoppable. Yet, in reality, the leadership team was splintering. Infighting consumed energy that derailed execution. Conversations turned personal instead of productive. Decisions slowed and trust eroded. They were standing on the edge of extraordinary success, but their performance was unraveling from within, threatening everything they worked so hard to develop. But I was not deterred. We dove in and strengthened the foundation every elite team depends on: state, strategy, and skill. Here’s how we did it: → EMOTIONAL REGULATION: We began with state training. Before every meeting, he practiced my Release Meditation to reset his nervous system, lower cortisol, and enter calm focus. → EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION: We refined his message delivery using my Effective Communication Framework: one clear intention, finding a common denominator, listening and building consensus. → ACTIVE LISTENING: The team practiced listening to understand, not to defend. They summarized others’ perspectives before offering their own. Defensiveness dropped. Collaboration rose. Listening became the bridge back to alignment. → CONFLICT RESOLUTION: We set this rule: focus on the problem, not the person. Accountability replaced accusation. Progress replaced ego. → PERSUASION TECHNIQUES: He mastered strategic silence, high performance persuasion, and the power of timing. The most persuasive leaders don’t raise volume, they raise intention. Every pause, every pace, every word became a deliberate act of leadership. → NEGOTIATION MASTERY: We strengthened his negotiation approach using psychology-based frameworks that align logic and emotion with ambition. → ALIGNMENT: Each week, we conducted Alignment Audits connecting decisions to mission, metrics, and shared ownership. When everyone operates from the same clarity, performance compounds. Within weeks, the culture began to transform. Energy shifted.  Relationships mended. Communication flowed.  Decisions gained velocity. The IPO succeeded, bringing in life-changing capital and igniting a new era of tremendous growth. While they were celebrating the IPO, I was celebrating the most meaningful transformation and it wasn’t financial, it was human. And the good news is that you don’t need to be a COO to effectively implement these strategies. Any of you can with the right guidance, intentionality, and consistency. Everything changed because one humble leader reached out, learned, then applied my high performance strategies for success. ONE LEADER WITH THE RIGHT STRATEGIES CAN CHANGE THE ENTIRE TRAJECTORY OF YOUR COMPANY. The question is… ~Are you that kind of leader? #business #leadership #success

Today's quick marketing lesson for brands: How did Gem, an Australian oral care brand, manage to turn a “professional mistake” into a significant boost in sales revenue? 👀 It all began with a viral TikTok video featuring Gem's Marketing Manager, who captured the moment where her boss mixed up the dates for the launch of their new product, their teeth whitening strips. 😬 While their cheeky responses to TikTok comments hint at it being an intentional act, what became clear was the ingenious Gen Z marketing strategy that boosted their engagement. The authenticity of the employee's genuine reaction resonated deeply with viewers and fostered a buzz that propelled the video to 4.8 million views. This authenticity was a key element in grabbing the attention of Gen Z TikTok users, who appreciate transparency and realness within brand communications (in an ocean of identical ads, of course this would stand out). However, that’s not all they did... 👇 Gem cleverly maintained the excitement among their audience by releasing an "aftermath" TikTok -- and if you use TikTok regularly you've definitely stumbled upon videos filled with people commenting "tag me when there's a part 2". (I'll share the video link in the comments!) In this video, the employee and her boss have a live phone call where they announce a 40% discount on their new products as a way to compensate for the mistaken launch... This move not only retained the audience's interest but also built anticipation and excitement among their followers, especially when they were eagerly waiting to see what would happen! The response in the comments was overwhelmingly positive, Gen Z viewers seeing it more like an entertaining marketing technique than anything else. Apparently fake drama sells (tooth whitening strips) ✨ Gem’s success in transforming a professional mistake into something that gains substantial social media attention is a great example of how vulnerability and creative marketing can work wonders for capturing the attention and loyalty of Gen Z. Lesson for brands: Always experiment + don't take TikTok too seriously; there are so many fun things you can do to engage Gen Z on the platform 💫 #genzmarketing #genz #socialmediamarketing #tiktokmarketing #tiktokads #socialmediaagency

Japanese service professionals are trained to observe, not just serve. They watch for small cues, a glance, a gesture, a change in tone, and act before the customer says what they need. In Japan, Omotenashi (おもてなし) means “hospitality without expectation of reward”. It’s the spirit of anticipating needs, attending to small details, and serving customers wholeheartedly. Is this about luxury? Absolutely not! It’s about awareness, attention, timing, and respect. ▶︎ A waiter doesn’t ask if you’d like more water; they refill your glass the moment it’s nearly empty. ▶︎ A hotel attendant notices a guest limping and quietly replaces the slippers with a softer pair. ▶︎ A shop assistant sees a customer juggling bags and opens the door before they reach for the handle. ▶︎ A department store clerk sees you’re left-handed and adjusts the card machine so it’s easier for you to sign. ▶︎ A cabin crew notices a passenger is nervous and offers a gentle reassurance or a note written by hand. That’s full empathy in motion. Imagine if every company applied this mindset: → where teams noticed before being told. → and where care became as natural as efficiency. The lesson: Train teams to notice before asked: “What would make this moment effortless for the customer?” Then deliver it quietly. #cx #customerexperience #customerrelations

Over the past 3 years, we've had the privilege of being part of the accelerated bookbuilds of ADNOC Drilling shares on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, share swap of AIQ with Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange-listed Presight, and listing Swvl on Nasdaq. We reflect on the learnings with Yasmine Nazmy at Inc. Arabia. An IPO is not just a means of raising capital; it is a gateway to accelerated growth, market credibility, and access to a broader pool of investors. The first step is often an IPO readiness assessment. This exercise identifies gaps in the company’s financial systems, governance framework, and operational processes. Timing is critical. Market conditions, sector trends, and investor sentiment can significantly impact IPO success. IPO readiness also requires a clear understanding of regulatory obligations. Depending on the chosen market, companies may need to comply with rules governing corporate disclosures, insider trading, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting. Public companies must have a board of directors that includes independent members with the expertise required to guide the company through its next phase of growth. Financial readiness is another cornerstone. Public companies must produce accurate, timely financial reports, often within 30 to 45 days of quarter-end. Internal controls must be strengthened to address gaps, particularly in high-risk areas such as revenue recognition, receivables, and information technology (IT) systems. An IPO is as much about storytelling as it is about financial performance. A compelling equity story is crucial to attracting investors. For companies in emerging markets, such as the MENA, this narrative must balance local and global investor expectations. MENA investors often prioritize dividend yields, even for high-growth companies. ESG considerations are also becoming central to the equity story. Investors increasingly expect companies to demonstrate not only financial returns, but also positive societal impact. Effective storytelling also requires consistency. Companies must ensure that all communication channels – from investor presentations to press releases – align with the broader narrative. The costs of going public can be significant. Companies should engage experienced advisors early to budget accurately and optimize resources. Operational demands can also strain internal teams. Expanding the finance, legal, and compliance functions is often necessary to handle the increased workload. Investor relations is another area that requires significant investment. Proactive engagement with investors through roadshows and earnings calls is critical to building confidence and maintaining transparency. Operational excellence remains a priority. Companies must continue to innovate and grow while ensuring compliance with public market standards. https://lnkd.in/d9_CGN8v

How Foreign Luxury Brands Can Thrive in Japan With over 20 years of experience in Japan, including 15 years living in the country and fluency in Japanese, I understand the nuances of this sophisticated luxury market. If your brand aims to enter or expand in Japan, I can help navigate its complexities and develop a winning strategy for long-term success. Contact me to discuss elevating your presence and growth in Japan. Japan's luxury market is renowned for its refinement. However, many foreign brands mistakenly adapt their products to local preferences instead of refining their communication and retail strategies. True luxury is about consistency, heritage, and brand integrity. Here’s how to succeed in Japan while staying true to your values: 1) Maintain Product Integrity Japanese consumers value authenticity. Instead of altering products, focus on educating consumers about your brand’s story and craftsmanship. 2) Adapt Communication, Not Products Refine your marketing and sales strategies to resonate with Japanese values: - Storytelling & Brand Education: Emphasize craftsmanship, exclusivity, and heritage. - Luxury Service & Omotenashi: Prioritize personalized, immersive service. - Retail & Digital Presence: Ensure a seamless omnichannel experience with strong physical and digital platforms. 3) Be Selective with Pop Culture Collaborations Collaborations with anime, manga, or J-Pop icons can generate hype but must align with your brand’s identity to maintain exclusivity. 4) Embrace Japan’s Unique Market Dynamics Engage with Japan’s thriving resale market, offer exclusive in-store experiences, and collaborate with prestigious local brands and cultural figures. Success in Japan is About Leading, Not Following! Foreign luxury brands thrive in Japan by adapting their communication and sales strategies while maintaining core values. Educating customers and staying true to your identity earns lasting respect in the Japanese market. #LuxuryStrategy #Japan #BrandIntegrity #LuxuryMarketing #ConsumerBehavior

𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝟯𝟲𝟬 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝟭.𝟲𝗠 𝗧𝗶𝗸𝗧𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗽𝗽 𝗚𝗲𝗻 𝗭 "𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀." Keith Bendes and I did a live podcast at Creator Economy Live in Vegas last week with @Brittany Lamp, Senior Director of Brand Content & Community at Life360. First, some context on just how big Life360 is: • 90M families use the app globally • 6th most popular social media app • 13th largest app by daily active users • 776 TikTok posts published last year • 231M organic impressions    These numbers don't happen by accident. I noticed several key themes they implement that other successful brands apply in their social (and larger brand) strategy today: 𝟭) 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Life360 had a reputation problem. Gen Z called it the "helicopter mom" app. Instead of fighting it, they owned it. It's a jiu jitsu move. By acknowledging the perception rather than ignoring it, they've taken ownership of the narrative. This makes the brand emotionally resonant, credible, and relatable. They used social listening to understand how their community actually talks. Then they spoke that language. They even crowdsourced their most brutal hate comments and turned them into merch. 𝟮) 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 Brittany used the word "casting" intentionally when describing their creator/influencer strategy. I thought this was really smart. This reframes the conversation. When you think "casting," you stop overindexing on follower counts. You start asking better questions: Does this person represent our consumers? Do they project the image we want? Are they tonally right for the brand? The numbers matter. But the intangibles matter more. 𝟯) 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗔𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗢𝗻 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 Life360 has an ongoing network of 50+ creators they work with. Why? Because one-off partnerships waste momentum. The first project is always the hardest. Everyone's learning how to work together. But when you work with creators over time, your efforts compound. They understand the brand. They can move fast. Life360's social team has full autonomy from leadership. No lengthy approval processes. This enables them to push content within an hour of a trend emerging. Relevance beats perfection. Every time. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻: The brands winning on social aren't fighting the conversation. They're joining it. They're building creator relationships that compound. They're prioritizing speed over polish. Thanks to the Creator Economy Live team for another great event.