PRs better than most other professionals when it comes to responsiveness

I’m not sure if it’s just me, but if I have an issue with a big company and their call centre is proving a nightmare, my next port of call is always the PR team. This is for two reasons – firstly, and obviously, because I hope they see my problem as a potential front page scandal that needs to be contained. However, it’s also because people who work in PR are actually pretty good at getting things done. This is something I don’t think we get enough credit for.

I recently undertook some research into the responsiveness of PR people compared to those in other professions. Well, I say research –  I actually organised a hen do abroad for a friend who works in PR and 30 friends, around half of whom work in the industry. I can conclusively say that whenever I sent out an email asking the attendees questions or requesting various bits and bobs (I won’t go into detail about these on a business blog), it was always the PR people who were first to respond. The teachers were generally average, the lawyers poor and the doctors and students… I just won’t go there. It’s not because they’ve got too much time on their hands,  it’s that people who work in PR have it drilled into them that you need to be quick, responsive, effective and efficient – and here, I think we outshine pretty much any profession out there.

PR is a profession that is often looked down upon, with the stereotypical PR girl often considered a fluffy airhead. This view is completely outdated – PR is now a genuinely challenging job, and some of the brightest, sharpest and most switched on people I know have made a successful career out of it. I for one am proud to be flying the flag for PR. However, if you have any complaints about my clients, please direct them to their customer services departments.