The Importance of Facts and Their Accuracy

Stepping into the real world has quickly made me realize that gone are the days when my work ethic gave way to laziness and resolved to sourcing minor facts from Wikipedia that would go unnoticed. In the real world, when you send out a release, whether internally or externally, you are reaching not just the people the article is sent to but social circles and family networks that spread like wild fire via word of mouth and sharing. I have had to step back and reflect on the actual impact of an article that is sent out and I have realized that globalization and social media has intensified these networks exponentially in the past ten years to the point you have to be very careful of the accuracy of facts because in one way or another, people will discover if they are incorrect and therefore affecting the organization’s credibility.

Hames Sharley assigned me with my first big project of sending out the eNewsletter that is published every other month and sent only to internal staff. The newsletter covers project updates for the various departments, new submissions, events, sustainable initiatives in the office, industry news and new appointments. To gain the necessary content, I had to liaise with each branch across Australia and provide a deadline so that I would have enough time to put it together using InDesign. The task seems simple, until you realize that you have about 25 pages of content you have to cross check and verify with multiple people and still follow up on those who have not responded with any materials for their branch. The Marketing Coordinator (Siaw) made me realize the importance of getting it right by reviewing my work and challenging facts to ensure it was all up date because it would stick out like a sore thumb to any employee involved in the project.

She also emphasized the need to cross check with senior directors that the content could legally be disclosed because of confidentiality in pending or unfinished projects. There are also some instances that require sensitivity as it common for the firm to undergo joint ventures with multiple organizations for a single project and in this instance, they must share and agree on the right to publicize it whether internally or externally. If I had provided an update on a project under such an agreement, I would therefore be jeopardizing the project as a whole if it were to be leaked one way or another. For me, this really added value to the marketing and PR profession because there is a lot riding on it, and it must be taken seriously regardless of what others may think. It also points out the necessity for cooperation in an office environment and the facilitation of open communication so these issues don’t arise.