With media savvy playing an increasingly important role in the way business leaders communicate today, the JSE views advanced media training as an essential tool in a company’s communication and reputation management strategies.
“I have watched over the past years and have observed that there’s a direct correlation between a company’s share price and its executives that have undergone media training,” says Noah Greenhill, Business Development and Relationship Manager of the JSE.
Noah adds that in today’s global economy business leaders are required to be better communicators, not just to their employees and shareholders but also the media. Media training is becoming an essential business and communication tool for today’s CEO.
Vuma Corporate Reputation Management has media trained over 200 business leaders and executives, with over 40 percent of them well respected CEOs of listed companies, which are visible in the market today.
The company provides delegates with an industry tailored 'Hard Talk' styled media training programme, equipping business leaders with the necessary tools to effectively face the media and deliver key messages about their business.
“Our media training programme is structured to integrate the business world into the media world, creating a realistic situation for delegates to fully understand and respect the media,” says Janine Hills, CEO of Vuma Corporate Reputation Management and media and reputation management expert.
Hills says that media training enables business leaders to effectively convey their key business messages to all important stakeholders and in particular the media. A business leader is the face of a business and with effective media training they can become one of the most valuable assets of the business.
To create a tailored and layered media training approach, the media training programme is conducted by various well respected and talented media experts and journalists. The media training team includes seasoned journalists like David Williams, the Deputy Editor of the Financial Mail and presenter on Summit TV, among others. The team brings extensive knowledge and an in-depth understanding of the media to the process.
The media training programme is designed to build confidence in executives and business leaders enabling them to gain an understanding of and respect for the media, and allowing them to work with media in a comfortable and professional manner.
“We are geared to develop communication skills of business professionals who know that the media should be taken seriously,” says Hills.
She notes that media training does not only play a vital role in media relationships and presentation, it also equips executives and business leaders with the know-how for dealing with crisis situations, risk management, as well as helping to create a profound awareness in making or taking crucial business decisions.
“It enables executives and business leaders to develop strict company guidelines on how to maximise on media opportunities and effectively and expertly manage their company’s reputation,” concludes Hills.
