Florida Gov. Rick Scott's marketing crisis
04/06/2011
Last night on Twitter, Crowley Political Report asked this question - Rick Scott's public support is tanking - so how does the CEO explain such poor customer satisfaction?
When Gov. Scott campaigned he offered himself as an experienced businessman who would bring sound business practices to the art of governing.
Apparently, that concept did not include successful marketing which is a bit of a surprise considering how well his marketing team did in getting him elected.
Scott made it clear shortly after becoming governor that the first job of a new CEO is to "get control of the checkbook."
But while Florida's 45th governor is busy getting control of the checkbook, slashing dollars and people, and looking for wholesale revamping of government agencies - he is doing a lousy job of public relations and marketing.
A new Quinnipiac Poll finds that Scott has more than doubled his negative rating among voters in just two months. Now 48 percent of Florida voters surveyed say they disapprove of Scott - that is up from 22 percent in February.
Fifty-three percent says Scott's budget proposals are unfair to them.
If this was one of Scott's private companies those results would suggest that an awful lot of his customers are not coming back.
Forgetting for a moment whether one agrees or not with Scott's ideas the fact is that he has done a lousy job of marketing them.
He remains an aloof figure. He has failed to connect with Floridians on a personal/gut level. He has not really talked to them.
Scott still avoids editorial boards, Florida's television political shows and countless other ways of chatting directly with Floridians.
Meeting with the Tea Party is great. Scott obviously believes in them. But a governor can't just communicate with his base.
In addition, he has managed to alienate business leaders in Tampa and Orlando (high speed rail), many of Florida's educators, environmentalists, water management districts, and others.
Again, regardless of his ideas, Scott and his office have down a terrible job of selling them.
Political capital is fragile. A steep loss in popular support offers opponents opportunities. Florida legislators will be encouraged to buck an unpopular governor.
Any good CEO should know that you cannot sell your product if you don't have a successful public relations and marketing plan.
It appears Scott does not.
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Art by Patrick Crowley
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