Cornwall has been designated an Objective One area. For those of us who live and work here, Objective One status has brought advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, came recognition that the regional economy can struggle to support a wide range of products and services. On the other, a welcome injection of European funding arrived, driving forward new economic regeneration and growth.

Did you know?

1. Cornwall has around 18,400 businesses, 70% of which employ less than five people.
2. Only 0.4% of the county’s businesses employ more than 200 people. More than 99.6% of Cornish companies are SME’s.

The availability of online information and advances in new office technology have changed the way many SME’s do business today. I.T can bring new business within easy reach, but can also propagate good or bad reputations. Now, all news travels fast.

So why do SME’s need Public Relations?

It has never been more important for a company to handle news properly. For firms in the early stages of their life cycles or those with an unproven reputation, it is vital. In an intimate business community, such as the one which exists in the South West, ‘reputation’ or ‘news’ management becomes especially important. Trust, between businesses or organisations and their stakeholders, is central to sustained and developing business growth.

Public Relations is the dialogue through which trust is fostered and reputation managed. This is where Public Relations comes into its own. It keeps you in touch with all the people who matter. It supports your SME business objectives.

In a recent white paper*, it is stated that, ‘PR can be the single most effective marketing activity for a start-up or early stage business.’

Try an SME PR audit:

Here are two starting points. Ask yourself;

1. How

• is our organisation perceived?
• would we like to be seen?
• can we achieve a change in attitude?
• can we measure what we do?

2. To enhance sales, do we need to

• raise visibility?
• communicate a message?
• increase brand awareness?
• build a brand?
• raise our profile?
• change perception?
• change customer or client behaviour?

Many SME’s are answering ‘Yes’. Media Relations recently came top in the list of marketing activities, above events and trade shows, now regarded as important by a poll of Cornish SME’s.

If this is true for you, Public Relations are the key.

Why PR Communications?

PR Communications is a company based in Cornwall; our team understands the unique socio-economic conditions, the advantages and disadvantages, faced by Cornish companies. After all, we are one, too.

Our team understands the need to manage reputation and handle news in a place where reputation travels fast. We have a tried and tested track record of working successfully to support the business objectives of client SME’s based in Cornwall.

PR Communications understand that PR is a dialogue, and a partnership.

If it’s time for you to start a conversation with your stakeholders, get in touch with us.

……………………………………………………………..

Terms:

SME: Small to Medium Sized Enterprise
(European Commission definition of an SME: between 1 - 249 employees)

Rainier PR, (January 2004), PR for Start-ups and Early Stage Companies