I receive a message ‘Have you seen this?’
I read the post and members of The Community are made aware of the problem. They are not too pleased. Within half an hour – a phone call:
Q. ’How damaging is this to the Community Ian?’
A. ’No doubt people will read the headline and not click the link to the facts written in LizianEvents News article. There is every possibility people who do not know us will read the headline and believe The Community’s show failed.’
Q. ’What will you do?’
A. ’I’ll deal with it with an accurate rebuttal: without bias or reference to the source of the original post’
Q. ’Do you think it could set us back?’
A. ’Well there will be some who will think it’s not important and insignificant. To my mind, if one person begins to gossip, Chinese whispers will damage the reputation of the shows. It is clear people already see the sentiment as damaging. The Community does: as it is replying to the comment. They see the danger, as I do, I’ll consider my public reply very carefully indeed. Our Reputation is paramount to our long-term success’.
A barrage of replies is put on the post by Community Members. The post disappears. We keep the screenshots. It is clear the sentiment of the responses are in our favour. However, as we all know, memories are often focussed on negative aspects of an event: Not the reality or truth, so much so, I continue to receive personal messages about the post days later.
I’ll comment and move on:
First a confession: I wondered if I’d be labelled ‘moaner’ for writing about plagiarism and those who slight LizianEvents work. And I have similar concerns about writing this article. This is a risk worth taking, there is an important issue to be reviewed.
I have absolute dedication to The Community:
I encourage interaction and seek Visitors and Community Members opinions about our organisation. If there is doubt about any situation I will clarify my points of view. When there are questions asked about our work or ethos the public response may be written without reference to the individual asking the question. There is a continuous reappraisal of our methods and plans, everything we do is Community centred.
Loyalty is an important attribute; no one should doubt my devotion to The Community:
Everyone sees me walking the floor at every show. I listen to and record conversations, and this why I have a real feeling for Community and Visitor opinions. Community and Visitors know they can offer points of view or critic without concern for rebuke. Open-mindedness and fairness are core to my thinking and decision making. We will not allow our objectives to be undermined by inaccurate infomation. There must be no mistake or room for doubt: we will NOT allow the extraordinary commitment of The Community to be damaged in any way. No individual will harm the hard earned reputation of The Community.
I read the post headline:
‘It looks like we weren’t the only one with a quiet but fabulous fair over the weekend.’
Now review the words below the picture – This is the LEN headline – ‘The beautiful weather affected our attendance figures’ There is NO reference to the show being ‘quiet’ in this introduction: Indeed there is NO reference to the show being ‘quiet’ anywhere in the article.
There is no interest in the ‘but fabulous fair’ comment:
The damage is in the word ‘quiet’ because this implies the Nottingham show was poorly attended. This is the information the reader focussed on and is potentially (more like certainly) damaging. There will be those who will comment – ‘I do not ‘read it this way’. That’s fine; they are not the problem. It is those who read the post and make a negative interpretation of the headline who are cause for concern. These good people are the potential problem for The Community.
Do not dismiss this article as ‘overreaction’:
At best: the conclusion is the ‘headline’ is ambiguous: however read it for your self. The conclusion is: most people who read it, believed it to be damaging and of detriment to attending Community at the Nottingham Well Being Show. The LEN review of the show revealed the attendance was lower than the previous show. It was NOT poorly attended. The show was not ‘quiet’ it was vibrant and enjoyed by all who attended.
The Community read the post and rallied round and made comments on the post, eventually it was pulled down. To my mind, there was damage to our reputation. I cannot believe many would not read the actual and factual article. Incidentally, it is not important to me whether one or a thousand read the headline. Evidence suggests it has caused offence and setback.
What do I learn from this?
In a word – Nothing!
Situations arise, and it is essential to demonstrate there is no fear in reviewing difficult problems. My method is to reveal the facets of a situation and allow people to draw their conclusions. If someone makes a comment or damages the reputation of The Community, I will not run from my responsibility to protect the hard work, time and money invested by The Community.
Further Thoughts?
On Thursday I receive a message from a longstanding Community Member:
→ Yes, the readership of LEN increased and in this aspect, the post worked in our favour. Although we cannot dismiss the potential damage of those who read the headline and did not read the article. My reply is a clear indication we would not BLOCK people from the social media platforms. Indeed, we are considering making the LizianEvents Group an open and public group.
→ And note, the Community Member acknowledge’s other organisers are deterred from our shows. It is not personal; it is one of our agreed terms and conditions. And yes! we would charge anyone who touts for business at the shows. I have never seen a Sainsbury representative in Tesco. Would you see Iron Maiden’s manager touting for fans at an AC/DC concert? The answer is no, and it will never happen at a LizianEvents Well Being Show. I don’t care a jot what other people do or allow. We follow our objective, another individual’s methods are of no concern.
Liz and I do not claim to organise – fabulous – brilliant – fantastic – shows. We organise the infrastructure of the show; The Community is the show. When someone comments about the show, they comment on The Community’s work. If someone demeans the work of The Community, it is my job to clarify the situation.
The Community is a social beehive:
I’d recommend The Community’s hive of success is left well alone: They do not like to be disturbed when producing a nectar of Well Being.
See You Soon