It takes 20 yrs to build a reputation: How long does it take to destroy it?

Warren Buffett is often quoted saying: "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently". To what extend is this statement true? Think about one of the world's renowned and reputable brand personalities, whom for one reason or another, had to fight to get their reputation out of the mud so to speak, the likes of Tiger Woods (One of the world's best golfer), Oscar Prestorius (Olympic blade runner), and, Bill Clinton (Former US President). All of these personalities at one point of their lives were revered highly by society at large, but their reputation took a plunge one point of their lives. and perhaps the BIG question we should ask ourselves is: What comes to mind, first thing when you see these personalities? When you think of Tiger Woods, do you see a womaniser or a cheat? Or so you see one of the world's best golfer? Well, to give you my answer, I see the best golfer. And maybe, someone may differ with my response.

The real crux of the matter is that, all the above mentioned brand personalities, have built such strong brands that their reputation or so-called bad acts that tainted their reputation at some point in their lives, are somewhat no longer as visible to the majority and may have fizzled out to some extend. What may serve as evidence of the strength of the brand personalities, it the time it takes for sponsorships/endorsements to pull out their investments from these personalities. We all now that there is no brand that would want to be associated to someone who would drag its reputation to the mud. However, with all the processes that are in place within large corporate entities, to issue urgent press statements with almost immediate effect upon hearing the bad news that cloud the personality who is their brand ambassador, in the case of the Olympic blade runner Oscar Prestorius, it took at least more than a day upon hearing about the alleged killing that Oscar committed, for the sponsors to confirm that they have pulled out their sponsorships.

When a brand is so strong, it takes more than a minute to destroy it. And the strength of a brand enables the some personal brand to return back to its full strength with ease. We may controversially conclude, that it takes more that a minute to destroy a strong personal brand. And it becomes easier for a very strong brand to return to full strength.