Importance of the Public Image Public image refers to how a company is viewed by is customers, suppliers, and stockholders, by the financial community, by the communities in which it operates, and by federal and local governments. Public image is controllable ____(1)____, just as the product, price, place, and promotional efforts are.
6 X# ` k- p: p6 `9 O A firm’s public image ____(2)____ a vital role in the attractiveness of the firm and its products to employees, customers, ____(3)____ to such outsiders as stockholders, suppliers, creditors, government officials, as well as diverse special groups. With some things it is ____(4)____ to satisfy all the diverse publics: for example, a new highly automated plant may meet the approval of creditors and stockholders, but ____(5)____ will undoubtedly find resistance from employees who see their ____(6)____ threatened. On the other hand, high-quality products and service standards should bring almost complete approval, ____(7)____ low quality products and false claims would be widely looked down upon.
1 |& n3 s- P/ s2 ]& W7 [ A firm’s public image, ____(8)____ it is good, should be treasured and protected. It is a valuable asset ____(9)____ usually is built up over a long and satisfying relationship of a firm with is publics. If a firm has ____(10)____ a quality image, this is not easily countered or imitated by competitors. ___(11)___ an image may enable a firm to charge higher prices, to woo the best distributors and dealers, to attract the best employees, to expect ____(12)____ favorable creditor relationships and lowest borrowing costs. It should also allow the firm’s stock to command a higher price-earnings ratio than other firms in the same industry ____(13)____ such a good reputation and public image.. o. B, G$ D8 z# k5 `2 v+ o. X+ z: I1 X
A number of factors affect the public image of a corporation. ____(14)____ include physical facilities, contacts of outsiders with company employees, product quality and dependability, prices ____(15)____ competitors, customer service, the kind of advertising and the media and programs used, and the use of public relations and publicity.
9 r1 y# Z, C) R 1. A) at considerable extent
: ^, \+ J5 i+ \# |" [+ c* }4 M' I* g B) to considerable extent9 w- P0 K; c* j# C
C) to considerate extent$ o4 h2 ]% n3 a: A& J( L' @
D) at considerate extent7 {0 U+ V$ z* [5 k" K7 B
2. A) establishes
. W l6 @5 M+ J* s/ | B) plays' F/ L% f# u4 R- @1 r
C) makes* f- u M) k3 E' C8 L8 n. X: i9 V1 |
3 c# @. a+ e( v+ S D) obtains |