4 Tips for Naming Your Company's… Hotline, Helpline, Whistleblower Line
A few weeks ago, we were meeting with a client, and he made it very clear that “Hotline” is a four-letter word in his book. He preferred EthicsLine for his company’s anonymous reporting program. I wasn’t surprised by his aversion to the word Hotline. Over the years I’ve never used the same name twice when branding my company’s ethics and compliance reporting programs. And I’ve seen hundreds of other companies march to their own naming drumbeat as well.
Just like with naming a company, the name that is selected for the reporting line should be done with purpose and thought. If you do not know your audience and what will resonate with them, then you could miss an important opportunity to connect with them. Here are some tips from the world of marketing that I’ve applied to the wonderful world of ethics and compliance.
Know your audience
ID from the beginning who the hotline helps and serves. Is it only going to be communicated to employees? Or, are you also going to make it available to suppliers, customers and/or the general public? Also, be mindful of in what countries your audiences are located and the language they speak. Depending on the mix of cultures in your company, words like Whistleblower, Ethics, or Tipline may not resonate with your audience. Or worse, cause them to think negatively about the anonymous reporting channel merely because of its name.
Embrace the KISS rule
You want to avoid lengthy or hard-to-spell names. Make it easy for your employees to remember and find your online web reporting page. I prefer the short, and to the point names, such as IntegrityLine, Our Hotline or GuideLine versus longer names like Code of Business Conduct Integrity Helpline. But, if the longer name is a must for your company, then I’d recommend using an acronym to make it easier to say.
Good cultural fit
Select a name that is going to fit your organization's corporate culture. If there are words that are already used in your company and have a positive vibe around them, then find a way to play off it. For example, I’ve seen universities use the name of their school mascot, Eagles Ethicsline, in conjunction with the name.
Get feedback
Don’t make your decision in a vacuum, reach out to your marketing team and other trusted colleagues for advice. Also, don’t forget to get feedback from your target audience. I’ve found that circulating 5 or so options around for feedback is an effective technique for getting buy-in.
Keep these tips for naming your company’s anonymous compliance reporting program; you’ll be sure to create a name that resonates with the audience... And if you need a little help coming up with some ideas here are some of the more popular names I’ve seen over the years:
AlertLine
ConcernLINE
OpenTalk
Awareline
Ethics Action Line
Report It! Hotline
Business Ethics Line
EthicsOnline
See & Say Hotline
CaresLine
Integrity Line
Speak-UP! Hotline
Code of Conduct Line
Let Us Know
Your Voice
Compliance Helpdesk
Open and Honest
Whistleblower Hotlines
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MEET THE AUTHOR
Stephanie Farmer is a seasoned ethics and compliance (E&C) professional. She has earned an MA in both Business and Professional and Applied Ethics and is a graduate of The Ethics & Compliance Initiative Managing Ethics in an Organization Program. Prior to and during her E&C career, Stephanie served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves and the North Carolina Air National Guard.
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