As a case study in public relations let me explain one way in which a mobile car wash company used the idea of a Neighborhood Watch Program to propel a new type of community policing concept and reap the rewards of company goodwill for their efforts. Why would a mobile car wash company care to choose a Mobile Neighborhood Watch Patrol as part of their public relations and community goodwill strategy? Well consider if you will how a mobile car wash franchise business works; The Car Wash Guys wash cars at offices and residences. One of the most common crimes is auto break-ins, making Car Wash Guys one of the best set of eyes around. Their car wash trucks are in and out of parking lots all the time. Their schedules are flexible to meet customer demand; it varies a little each day. Their trucks are bright yellow and attract attention. They are staffed with young men who are always looking for the next car to wash, scanning parking lots. Driving slowly through neighborhoods looking for addresses of car wash customers who call in. There are two or three people looking around while driving around in the car wash truck. They also wash for many fleets in the town and can help with the initial recruitment. Plus, these franchisees are required to be involved in community service projects. You can now understand why such a public relations and community goodwill program did so well, indeed it makes sense to invent out of the box and innovative strategies to give a little back as your company grows to the community which supports you day in and day out. Consider all this in 2006. |
