Tiago Félix da Costa and Nuno Igreja Matos write the article ‘Uma empresa que se preze'

Preparing to face reputational risks is crucial for any company. In the article ‘Uma empresa que se preze’, published in the newspaper Expresso, Tiago Félix da Costa and Nuno Igreja Matos analyse the importance of effective internal mechanisms in crisis management. The lawyers warn that an immediate and well-structured response can be the difference between a controlled impact and a reputational crisis.

Tiago Félix da Costa, partner at Morais Leitão, and Nuno Igreja Matos, senior associate at Morais Leitão, analyse the importance of preparing companies to face reputational risk situations in the article ‘Uma empresa que se preze’, published in the newspaper Expresso.

In a context where any company can see its name associated with an offence, whether it is real or the result of an insidious disclosure, the lawyers warn of the need for robust and effective internal mechanisms. The article emphasises that the difference between a controlled impact and a reputational crisis lies in the capacity for immediate response and effective management of the narrative.

According to Tiago Félix da Costa and Nuno Igreja Matos, many organisations implement compliance mechanisms in a superficial way, with vague policies and without clear definitions of responsibilities. This approach can lead to indecisive reactions and a worsening public perception of the problem, as silence in the information society can be interpreted as guilt.

The solution lies in structuring practical and actionable internal procedures, defining those responsible for each risk and establishing effective internal investigation processes. For the authors, a self-respecting company must follow three fundamental principles: act immediately on suspicions, control the narrative and collaborate with the authorities when necessary.

In the article, the lawyers emphasise that prevention and responsiveness are decisive in mitigating the risk of sanctions and guaranteeing the company's credibility. In times of heightened regulation and scrutiny, the message is clear: ‘Watch to avoid being punished’.

Read the full article "Uma empresa que se preze".

(The article is in portuguese only)