A Bold New Approach to Communications
I was sitting in a client’s office a while back, and we were devising a communications strategy for managing an unfolding issue that posed a significant threat to the organization’s reputation. Midway through briefing me on the situation, the CEO – apparently weary of going through all the details – locked his gaze on me and said, “What we need for you to do is to help get our story out.”
“What is that story?” I asked, not trying to be confrontational. To which he responded, “That’s what we hired you for, to figure that out.”
“Well,” I said, taking a moment to allow my words to carry the necessary weight, “let’s start with the truth.”
The truth. It’s an interesting concept. Once thought to be empirically unassailable, today the truth feels malleable, too easily shaped and often distorted to one’s advantage. Our political discourse, social media, even mainstream news outlets that bend information to represent one perspective or another – all have contributed to an erosion of the unimpeachable quality of truth in our society.
So when it came time to contemplate a name for this new venture, I felt strongly that the word truth – and all it represents – would be an important foundational element. Truth Advisors is a new fractional consultancy that aims to provide senior-level communications and crisis management services focused on facts and transparency.
The model is different from other PR firms in several important ways. First, what you see is what you get. Operating as a fractional consultant allows me to be hands-on with each and every client, instead of handing the work off to a junior team member. My decades of experience means clients will have access to the skills, knowledge and contacts to help them achieve their most challenging communications goals.
Second, the fractional model ensures accountability and transparency. Based on the scope of each client’s needs, they’ll get either one-quarter, half or fulltime attention in a given month, with fixed monthly pricing. No project fees. No haggling. No overcommitting. And no surprises.
Finally, because this consultancy is focused on high-level communications services, it’s not for everyone. Truth Advisors will focus on meeting the communications needs of C-suite leaders, centered primarily around reputation management and change communications. We’re not in the business of helping clients sell more products or services – though we’re happy to work alongside agencies who do this important work but may need to partner with a senior communications strategist for a specific, acute need.
I’m excited to launch this new endeavor, which I believe reflects a profoundly different approach to meeting the communications needs organizations large and small across any type of industry, challenge or opportunity. I’d love to know what you think about it. Please leave a comment below . . . or better yet, reach out to me at barry@startwithtruth.com, and let’s schedule a virtual or in-person conversation.