Mediahustler

A recent survey by the Reputation Institute has revealed that the determining factors behind the most reputable companies, as perceived by the British public were transparency and ethics.

Marks and Spencer, Smith & Nephew, Cadbury and Morrisons are ranked as the most reputable companies according to the survey of more than 5,000 consumers. It revealed that next to delivering strong products and services, consumers wanted companies to act transparently and ethically, and to prove that they care about society.

These results highlight how the worlds banks and most recently, the MPs expenses scandal has affected peoples level of trust as they opt for good honest brands and companies to consume in these times of distrust and economic downturn but do the results really reflect the nations views?!

A number of comments on the Marketing magazine website post question on survey’s validity. The opinions question this and in theory, every other survey or poll flagging how for example, 5,000 subjects does not necessarily represent the 60 plus million other British resident’s thoughts and beliefs.

Aware that reality of surveying the entire British public is unachievable, this is not the only flaw, the spread on scores… there are 9 companies with a score of roughly 69 and the ranking is based on a second decimal place and if you take normal boundaries for confidence, intervals on the actual scores for a “survey” this whole premise of ranking at this micro score level is nonsense from a professional research perspective.

Additionally the companies featured in this do not appear to be the ones Joe Public would immediately recognise, as it is a consumer survey surely the likes of Google and the BBC would be mentioned?! Whilst mediahustler is a rather media-savvy individual, it still took a few moments to clock some of the companies so how would everyday folk be able to give a knowledgeable and therefore recordable opinion?!

It unfortunately brings into question the transparency of these results, guess we can’t believe everything we are told – news flash?! No, just a rant….

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