As a Southampton
FC supporter I can’t help look at the phenomenal achievement of Leicester City
this season, without despondently asking why it couldn’t have been my team.
However, it has also given me and supporters of teams the hope and belief that
actually it could be us. What is more, this optimism is infectious.
Leicester has
shown that with a combination of great team spirit, strong leadership, talent, hard-work,
the right strategy and tactics, and a touch of luck, the seemingly impossible
is possible.
The world of PR
and media relations may be far removed from the glamorous world of premier
league football (despite what some would have you believe), but many PR
professionals, whether working in-house, or agency, should look at what
Leicester City has done and ask themselves, what seemingly impossible goal can
I try to reach. For many it will be hitting the front-page of a broadsheet
newspaper, an interview on Newsnight, or a stint on the BBC Breakfast sofa. For
others the aspiration may not be so bold but similarly challenging, whether it
be to get a prized customer to agree to a case study, or winning a top industry
award.
Often the
greatest challenge is being brave enough to challenge yourself. Have the
courage to build a compelling story and then pitch it to a forward-planning
team, producer, editor or reporter. Yes, you will get knocked back, but Leicester
didn’t win every game they played! However, every time they were beaten they
learned from their mistakes, prepared and played again.
Often, PR
professionals can become a little too battle weary, cynical and sceptical. Put
us in a room together and we are often own worst enemies, discussing why
certain things simply won’t work (why won’t the client understand!) before even
giving them a go.
Leicester
couldn’t win the Premier League but they did. Think about what you want to
achieve and start working towards it. You will learn more, enjoy more and
hopefully win more.
Author: Graham Thatcher, Director at Chief
PR Ltd
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