| To listen well, is as powerful a means of influence as to talk well, and is as essential to all true conversation. |
| – Chinese Proverb |
 Since 2004, managers from Reynolds American and its operating companies have done a lot of listening. All told, the companies have hosted nine stakeholder dialogues coast-to-coast in 2004 and 2005, and an additional 16 dialogues in 2006 and 2007. The format of the most recent set of dialogues remained the same as in years past:
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Topics for discussion were largely selected by the stakeholders; open, honest comments are encouraged |
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Employees of Reynolds American and its operating companies who work in an area expected to be of interest to dialogue participants attend the dialogues and participate in the discussion as appropriate |
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Each session is facilitated by a professional moderator |
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All dialogue participants are promised confidentiality |
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An independent, outside auditor attends each dialogue and reports on the process and summarized comments included in this report. |
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Some 2006-2007 dialogues were held with the same stakeholder groups who had participated in previous dialogues – some for the second time, some for the third. This provides Reynolds American and its operating companies with “longitudinal” information – how perceptions of stakeholders are changing over time. These “repeat” groups included public health officials, tobacco growers, R.J. Reynolds’ suppliers and a group representing the general public.
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Reynolds American and its operating companies have participated in 25 stakeholder dialogues since 2004.
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