Public Relations
Public relations is about fostering positive, professional relationships with customers and clients, partners and employees, and even vendors and competitors.
Yet, PR has been given something of a bad name, associated with cover-ups, "spin doctors" and half truths. But is that how you create and maintain a good relationship?
Ethics
I started Borderland PR because I believe that the best practices are ethical practices. As a customer, I don't want to be lied to or manipulated, and I always reward honest, ethical behavior with repeat business.
If you're like me, you understand the power of basic human
decency. You will go out of your way, drive further and spend more, all simply to do business with someone who you feel values you as a customer and respects you as a human being.
The Bottom Line
In most business settings, when people discuss the "bottom line," they are talking about profits and things that get in the way.
At Borderland, the bottom line comes down to a very simple test I've been doing since I was a young man: when I look in the mirror each night before I go to bed, I need to be able to look myself in the eyes.
When I can't pass that test, I know it's time to make a change.
Though my life has given me strong evidence that the most profitable path will always be the honest one, I don't walk the honest path because it is profitable.
Better Brand of Misery
I'm sure you've heard the joke in response to, "Money can't buy happiness," that, "Yes, but it can buy a better brand of misery." I can't say that's not true. However, I can say, for me, it doesn't matter.
I was brought up to value honor and integrity and with the idea that a good name is the most valuable thing to have.
When I do work for a client, it's not just their reputation that is on the line, but mine as well. And while my job is to help clients be successful, there is no price for which I would sell my good name.
Where the Line is Drawn
Borderland PR will always reserve the right to withdraw from a project if the client wants to take an ethically-questionable direction.
As a result, clients can be assured that no one will ever have an honest reason to doubt that a project is aboveboard when Borderland PR is involved.
The Promise
The values of Borderland PR are things that, I believe, should be a given. I shouldn't have to say that, "A good reputation is more important than monetary success."
Yet, we all know that honor, integrity and responsibility cannot be taken for granted. We all know that the temptation of immediate profits can drive even honest people to make compromises they are ashamed of later.
So, the Borderland PR promise is to never compromise these values, to live up to the highest ethical standards, and to hold clients to those same standards.