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Zombie at HOA is media star

A zombie statue named "Clawed" has been living, so to speak, in the front yard of a Nashville home in an HOA community for five of the past 10 years, according to stories in a number of news media.

In the stories, the Zombie is shown clawing his way to ground level through what looks to be bark chips surrounding a small tree or shrub. But now, the HOA is requesting that Clawed be laid to rest, so to speak. In other words, the homeowners association wants the zombie to be gone for good.

Is this a classic conundrum, or what? With HOA policies on one hand and something humorous on the other. There's this observation in Clawed news -- "the homeowner's association needs to lighten up a little bit."

Now, HOA property managers and attorneys would probably suggest that policies should take precedence. Because policies and rules are important. And they are important! But then there's the PR side of the situation whereby calling for the zombie's demise, so to speak, has given birth to a rising zombie media star.

Conundrums like this happen all the time in organizations like HOAs, in business and -- would you believe it? -- even in politics. If organizations, businesses and politicians can spot conundrums on the horizon, they can take steps to address them if they surface or to avoid them altogether.

Think of this as having a game plan ready, just like a pro sports team. With X's and O's.

(Need help with communication and PR? Contact hoastrategic@gmail.com.)

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