A strategic relationship

It’s up to the communications head to sell the strategic necessity of their function to the CEO

 
Dennis Jönsson, CEO of Tetra Pak, once confided to me that “strategy is easy, it’s the execution that’s difficult.” For CEOs today, this remains a universal challenge. Unless you can translate your vision into tangible actions and align your organisation so that each employee understands how they can contribute to the business, well then a good idea remains just that, a good idea.
If you run a multinational, how would you mobilise the organisation around your business objectives? How would you ensure that your markets, your customers, and your investors understand the value proposition of your company? Not to mention your employees. How would you make all your partners – customers, suppliers, subsidiaries – value you? Today and over time?

Patricia O’Hayer

American-born Patricia O’Hayer is experienced in dealing with all management levels in many countries Europe-wide. Since 2007, she has been Unilever’s vice president communications and corporate responsibility. Prior to this, she worked as vice president global corporate communications for packaging specialist Tetra Pak. O’Hayer has developed and implemented issues and crisis management systems in major companies such as Tetra Pak, Baxter and Dow Corning.