Reputation Risk

The risk of embarrassment or loss of respect by people whose opinion is valued. From a personal perspective the relevant opinion holders may be friends, family, or business colleagues. In such cases the risk may be referred to as social risk. From a corporate perspective the opinion holders may be clients, suppliers, regulators, or other market players.

Example:

Asking someone out on a date. There is a risk that one’s feelings are not shared by the other person, and therefore a potential for embarrassment.

Downside Scenario:

The answer is ‘no’, The suitor is embarrassed and it takes him or her several years to work up the courage to ask someone else out.

Upside Scenario:

The answer is ‘yes’, and after dating for a few months, the relationship leads to marriage and sailing off into the sunset together, happily ever after.

 

Related terms:

Brand Risk

The possibility of negative publicity that erodes a brand and leads to loss of credibility and trust by its target audience.

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