When the stakes are high
judgement matters

We help you communicate well.

 

Protecting reputation. Managing complexity. Helping leaders make good decisions under pressure.

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Reputation can take decades to build and moments to damage. An issue or crisis rarely begins as a communications problem. It may be a leadership problem, a people problem, an operational failure, a governance issue, an activist campaign, a cyber incident or simply a situation that has moved faster than an organisation expected.

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The communications response matters. But first, you need to get the strategy right. There are too many tacticians and not enough strategists: people with the proven experience, judgement and track record to entrust your and your organisation's reputation with.

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WALLIS&CO advises boards, CEOs and organisations facing complex reputational issues, intense scrutiny and high-stakes situations. Our approach is calm, practical and strategic. We have a proven track record, experienced judgement and have earned the stripes to advise at the highest level. 

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CRISIS COUNSEL

When a serious issue emerges, leaders need experienced advice quickly.

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WALLIS&CO can work directly alongside the CEO, board and existing communications team or agency, providing senior counsel on all areas of reputation management, issues and crisis. This includes counter crisis preparedness.

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The objective is to help the organisation emerge from the situation with trust, credibility and relationships intact. Or even better, not enter a crisis at all. 

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REPUTATION ADVISORY

The best reputation work happens before a crisis. WALLIS&CO works with organisations and senior leaders to identify emerging risks, strengthen reputation, improve stakeholder relationships and prepare for situations that could threaten trust or licence to operate.

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This can include:

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Reputation strategy
Understanding what drives trust in the organisation and where reputation can create — or destroy — value.

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Issues preparedness
Identifying vulnerabilities and developing strategies before an issue becomes a crisis.

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Stakeholder strategy
Building stronger relationships with the people and institutions whose confidence matters most.

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Executive positioning and coaching
Helping CEOs and senior leaders communicate with clarity, credibility and authority.

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Crisis simulations
Putting leadership teams through realistic scenarios so they understand how they will operate when pressure is real.

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Media and stakeholder preparation
Preparing executives to perform effectively in difficult interviews and high-pressure environments including investors.

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EXPERIENCE UNDER PRESSURE

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Strahan Wallis has advised organisations and senior leaders through complex reputational issues and crises internationally for more than 25 years. His experience spans business and agri-business, media, professional services, technology, property, financial services, consumer organisations, agencies and purpose-led organisations.

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What distinguishes the advice is an understanding that reputation is not simply a communications function.

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The most important conversations often happen before anybody thinks about messaging.

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They happen around the board or executive table:

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• What actually happened or could happen?

• What is the right thing to do?

• What happens next?

• Who needs to know what and when?

• What do we say and HOW do we say it?

• How do we rebuild trust?

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Good crisis management starts with good judgement.

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DELIBERATELY SENIOR

Most clients engage WALLIS&CO for advice rather than implementation. That means we can work alongside an existing communications team, law firm, agency or other advisers without needing to replace them.

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For larger or highly specialised situations, bespoke teams can be assembled from an international network of experienced professionals. WALLIS&CO deliberately works with a limited number of clients so senior attention can be provided when it matters.

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Calm under pressure. Clear thinking. Experienced counsel.