Top Companies South Africa 2021

TSCA 2021
Managing reputation in uncertain times
DR SIFISO FALALA
As we ponder what the
pandemic means for
the future it becomes
obvious that it will
require a change of
attitude towards what we consider
important. While the importance of
the environment needs to catch up
with the rate of unfriendly corporate
and public practices, the pandemic
has thrown into the mix several other
questions. It has demonstrated the
supremacy of human life, health and
wellbeing. We are witnessing a future
world in which businesses are there
to interpret their role as co-architects
Media Torque & Events is grateful for
the unique opportunity to partner with
Plus 94 Research in an endeavour
to award the outstanding business
acumen of companies, its executives
and its staff for adapting to the
New Normal and in the process
successfully repositioned them in a
changed world during the COVID-19
global pandemic.
Grappling with issues which had
never before featured on the success
agenda of companies, those we
honour with the Top Companies
South Africa – Reputation Index
Award, had understood and
applied new criteria to birth a new
corporate tomorrow and successfully
weathered a constantly changing
marketplace.
While some had lost their footing,
the re-branding methods of these top
companies would continue to pave
the way for others in a quest to be
relevant. The men and women at the
top of the hierarchies of our winning
companies realised that their vision
and ability to adapt to changes out
of their control called for a new
mind-set and a can-do attitude. At
the same time, acknowledging the
importance of a loyal, willing and
capable workforce had seen these
companies evolve into successful
corporate benchmarks.
Consumers had become more
critical of the brands they support
and a holistic, sustainable
alternative for the profit-before-allof
a successful society. To that extent
the role of reputation and reputation
measurement is emphasized.
Leadership is critical for success
and sustainability in any undertaking
in both formal and informal settings.
It gives society its vision and
direction. Successful societies and
businesses have successful leaders.
This is the reason that reputation
measurements are often directed
at leaders, for it is they that can
engineer change in society.
Business leaders need to make
decisions and cannot run away
from that responsibility. It should be
amply demonstrated that not making
a decision at all, is in fact a default
decision (to not act). We are proud
to be associated with Media Torque,
especially as the subject matter at
hand is corporate reputation. Our
society does not lack the drive to
succeed. At times we find it hard
to agree what constitutes success,
and hence the importance of a
benchmark, such as this, for the
measurement and dissemination of
the drivers of reputation.
Celebrating
leaders who are
setting a new
agenda in a new era
NTHABISENG MOKAKE
else bottom line was needed. These
winning companies had addressed
concerns regarding health, wellness,
community needs and personal
fulfilment of their respective
workforces. After all, the impact of
the pandemic forced us all to take a
new, hard look at the world we had
created.
The pandemic had forever changed
the playing field, the way in which
businesses operate, how messages
are packaged and how products
and services are promoted. A Plus
94 study and a similar Harvard
published paper explored new
insights by applying quantitative
research methodologies to enable
respondents to recognise their
favourite brand. An extensive list of
reputational assessment pillars was
applied to these company and their
reputation drivers.
Dr Sifiso Falala, Chief Executive
Officer of Plus 94 Research, had put it
aptly in his statement that the factors
which influence reputational risk
had evolved, with the impact of the
pandemic shaking up perspectives
on what really matters.
This award ceremony is a tribute to
those brands which outperformed the
rest of the pack during these testing
times and we believe would continue
to lead the way into the future.
TOP COMPANIES SOUTH AFRICA . REPUTATION INDEX 02