Reputation is the watchword of charities and businesses everywhere these days. Like it or not, we live in a reputation economy, where the perceptions of other people matter hugely. But in an era when we’re being constantly judged, how can charities better protect and enhance their reputations?

Damage to organisational reputation can result from a crisis or circumstance which is often beyond your control such as a data breach. However being able to identify, mitigate and then manage risks will assist in protecting reputation. Equally reputation can suffer due to a lack of investment in public relations. Not identifying and addressing the opinions and expectations of stakeholders and audiences leads to a slow decline in reputation.

Whatever the cause, the results are equally as damaging as those whose opinions matter to how we operate, where we attract support and ultimately our success can be lowered. They often simply move on, supporting a new cause, volunteering for a new charity or working for someone else.