You’ve Gotta Show, Not Just Tell

I often find myself telling clients what Jessica has illustrated so clearly and what they should know. Just because you say you have a plan, or you have a great vision does not mean people are going to buy what you’re selling. People need proof. They need action.

Say you’re about being socially responsible and committed to your local community? Prove it! Say you’ve got the best new product to revolutionize the way people do this or that? Show me!

Arlie & Company, a local Eugene, Ore.-based real estate developer (and a client) is my favorite example of a company that does this. Arlie gives thousands to local nonprofits that owners Suzanne Arlie and husband John Musumeci believe are doing good work. And they are committed for the long-haul. Organizations like Relief Nursery and Womenspace benefit from Arlie & Company’s support and have been able to do more good things because of the company. On top of financial support, Arlie & Company employees volunteer hundreds of hours to organizations like FOOD for Lane County, The Child Center and Center for Community Counseling.

In addition, in its day to day work, Arlie & Company believes strongly in sustainable building practices. Their new urban village, Crescent Village, will be environmentally, socially and financially sustainable (aka The Triple Bottom Line). I’m certainly proud to work with an organization like this and, even more importantly, restaurant, retail, commercial and residential customers are proud to buy or lease from a company like this.

As a future PR practitioner, it’s your job to the be the objective (but supportive) third party, helping clients understand how to match what they say (we support local nonprofits and are committed to sustainable building) with what they do.

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