The Walton Group Inc.
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The The Walton GroupInc. is a full service Public Relations firm specializing in optimizing small businesses in Utah. The CEO, Linda P. Walton, has been practicing public relations since 1978 - all in Utah County. After receiving her degree in public relations/journalism at Utah State University, Linda returned to Provo as a journalist for two years. She then worked in public relations at Central Bank, followed by five years in college relations at UVSC. Before founding The Walton Group, Linda was a partner at Shelton & Walton Marketing Communications in Provo.
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[edit] The Walton Group Inc.
has 3 main areas of focus:
1. Serving the community through pro bono work and advising clients about charitable opportunities in accordance with Corporate Social Responsibility ethics.
2. Helping students in PRSSA and from the local community get experience in public relations.
3. Guiding their clients toward a better mutual understanding between them and the community and clientèle.
[edit] External links
[edit] Charitable work
Linda Walton serves on the board for the Food and Care Coalition, the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, the Public Relations Society of America, the local chapter of The Red Cross, the Community Relations Committee at UVSC, and is an associate Professor at BYU. Pro bono clients include the Mountain Valley Red Cross, United Way of Utah County, and The Boys and Girls Club. The Walton Group philosophy on Corporate Social Responsibility:
As a member of society, businesses have responsibilities to protect the best interests of the other members of society. Adam Smith, author of "Wealth of Nations," wrote, "
[An individual or business] generally, indeed, neither intends to promote the public interest, nor knows how much he is promoting it...He intends only his own gains, and he is in this, as in many other cases, led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention, nor is it always the worse for society that it was no part of it. By pursuing his own interest he frequently promotes that of the society more effectively than when he really intends to promote it."
Many organizations understand their responsibility to protect those external public interests and therefore, they develop committees to respond to outside influence and pressures. Sure enough, the business who doesn't, soon won't have a business. - Charles Whitaker.
[edit] Student Mentoring
Every semester, there is a new intern at The Walton Group. Mrs. Walton's teaching at BYU in the Communications Department helps her stay in touch with the needs of students. One of the biggest needs that PR students express is the lack of real world relevant experience. Bradley Public Relations, the student run agency at BYU, was pioneered by Linda Walton in 1994 to help contribute to the students' hands on curriculum of service learning.
[edit] Small Business, Big Advantage
In business, some prefer to work with a few large accounts. But with that attitude, the loss of one client can mean significant losses. And you will lose clients. Everyone does. Consider working with small business. Universities across the country are teaching and emphasizing entrepreneurial ism, the heart of small business. In fact, a recent student meeting of future entrepreneurs on BYU campus, usually attracting 10 to 15 students, packed nearly 100 young people either already in business or looking forward to it soon. With an eye toward tomorrow's trends, most of these students were not interested in working for large businesses, regardless of the financial impact. These students asked questions including: How can we work with other small businesses? And how can we compete with large or small competitors? As big business becomes more difficult to work with, proactive and savvy professionals will look to small business as the niche of the future.
When working with small business, remember two important keys. First, creativity -- to solve clients' needs and make money -- is necessary. Second, developing a relationship based on good business practices and integrity makes a difference to small businesses. Maybe this is too "Mayberry" for you, but it may be just the "hometown" profit advantage you need.
