When I asked Harold Burson, founding Chairman of Burson-Marsteller, “what according to him was good public relations?” He responded instantly, “letting your good work speak for itself”

I am reminded of his words as I digest the results of our just concluded election. People have overwhelmingly voted the Congress and the UPA to power.

The people of India - young, old, urban and rural have spoken and their message is loud and clear - Perform or Perish: good governance and development will be rewarded; the politics of positioning, caste, religion, etc. etc. will be rejected.

Obama’s “YES, WE CAN” promised a government that would work for its citizens - and the rest is history. It was the “Aam Aadmi” that brought Congress to power last time. Some state Chief Ministers have been rewarded with a second and third term. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this out! People in India and around the world want their government to deliver to them instead of indulging in politics of hate and division!

Perhaps politicians will now be reminded that democracy is after all about the “Government OF the people, BY the people and FOR the people”.

The new government should respect the mandate and work aggressively, with a sense of focus and urgency to make good their promise of “inclusive growth”.

To put this in perspective, Mrs Indira Gandhi coined the famous ‘Roti, Kapda aur Makaan’ (Food, Cloth and House) as her clarion call for the ‘Aam Aadmi’ (Common Man) but lost her way; on the other hand Dr. Manmohan Singh added the dimension of ‘Rozgaar’ (Employment) as a route to realising the Gandhi dream and we saw India return from the brink to morph into a land of opportunity!
In, literally, his second life, (post the bypass) he stands at the cusp of a golden opportunity to build on the good work he started without being encumbered by the obstinate left front or ‘I want my pound of flesh’ partners! ‘Singh’ could be the real ‘King’ of his people! Dr. Singh, good health and God Speed - Let your good work continue to speak for you.

India Inc. is reportedly saying that this is a ‘game changer’ verdict. You bet! The game has changed even for them too. The new stakeholders will reward ‘good governance’ and ‘inclusive growth’ not just the mere creation of ’shareholder value’ a euphemism for ’shareholder wealth’!!

Stakeholders want to companies to create wealth but with responsibility and apply to the benefit of a larger community. They now want to be included in the dialogue or they will punish you.

Wake up and smell the coffee: Abhishek tells us on the telly: ‘Janta ki Sunoh, Nahin Sunoge toh Bahut Maregi’ (Listen to the public, if you don’t you will be punished!)

The idea is simple:

1. Engage with your stakeholders;
2. Deliver on your promise;
3. Get rewarded;

What an idea Sirji !! Jai Ho.

In a world of a flat information hierarchy, just publicity isn’t going to help any one to stand apart. Only good work will.

Either Perform or Perish: So let your good work speak for itself!

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Tags: corporate governance, india elections, indian election strategies, indian elections, indian politics, new indian government, Public Relations