Around the Management Table

A company’s vice president for finance will bring one narrow perspective to the table: How do we build a safer car and still leave room for a fair profit for the company at the price at which we plan to sell it?

The firm’s legal team has another perspective: How do we keep company officials out of jail and prevent expensive lawsuits?

The human resources department and the company union will have two other points of view.

The marketing/advertising department will be focused on this month’s sales.

The CEO and president may be worried about pleasing the board of directors and stockholders.

It is the public relations staff who can bring the broadest perspective to the boardroom table where really important decisions are made. If you work in a public relations office at a large company or nonprofit, it is important to be familiar with a little bit of every single part of the organization. Sooner or later you are going to need to work with all of the people at the table and understand how all the various parts fit together for the good of the organization.