Issued by: HKLM


In his address, Elston said companies should be open and transparent at all times, regardless of what state their business is in. “Companies must create a feeling of trust. Analysts don't like surprises, and goodwill comes from communicating – especially when times are tough.”

The breakfasts are a regular feature on the HKLM Exchange calendar, and are designed to stimulate debate and inform HKLM clients and industry players on relevant market issues. Elston was invited to address the forum on analysts' expectations of companies' results presentations and to advise on how the communication flow and relationships between companies and stakeholders can be enhanced.

His emphatic view was that the IAS encourages transparency from not only the companies themselves, but from the media and investors too. “If a company builds up a reputation for communicating in good times as well as tough, it will earn the trust and respect of the people who commentate on its business.”

He also stressed the importance of the quality of information that companies release as well as the quantity, saying that analysts need to know as much as possible about an organisation.

“Networking is also a key aspect of the relationship-building process,” he said, “and management should always be available after a presentation to meet the analysts and get to know them. Personal interaction also provides companies with the opportunity to introduce lower levels of management and reveal succession plans.”

His views were echoed by Karin Boshoff, director of HKLM Exchange, who stressed the importance of investor relations as a vital aspect of brand-building. “A brand is a reputation, built up, layer by layer, with every interaction that a customer has with it. It is crucial that all communication with the investment community is harmonious with the brand values and the brand's personality.”

Elston has been a board member of the IAS since 2003, and served as deputy chairman for two years before assuming his pro bono portfolio as chairman. He is the Asset Manager responsible for Absa Commercial Property Finance's portfolio of listed property investments, and is currently working towards his CFA Charter and a PhD researching decision-making under conditions of risk.

For more information on IAS events, and related investor relations communications, please contact Karin Boshoff at HKLM Exchange on 011 461 6600, or e-mail kboshoff@hklm.co.za.

Visit our PRESS OFFICE: HKLM is an entrepreneurial and dynamic leader in the branding arena, with unrivalled expertise in the field of brand strategy, design and implementation. The company has led many blue-chip rebranding projects and innovative brand development initiatives around the world, earning HKLM the title of South Africa's foremost brand consultancy in the Financial Mail Adfocus 2004 awards. Through independent business units HKLM Connect, HKLM Exchange, HKLM Ignite and HKLM Digital, the team is able to bring the brand alive, both internally and externally through integrated communications, investor relations and the production of Annual Reports, brand behaviour and an array of digital mediums. HKLM's expanding footprint includes offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town, and internationally in Berlin, Dubai and Lagos. HKLM's four founding members have combined their diverse experience with a hand picked team of highly talented people. This is a group that does it differently and without bureaucracy, with a pace that is urgent and with the client's business at heart - for real and for the long term. In other words ... New Brand Thinking! - more....

[3 Sep 2007 16:24]

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