We often write about the necessity of starting crisis management before an issue ever arises, but the reality is that very few actually heed this advice. While convincing higher-ups to take the first step is tough, there is a proven path that leads to success, as this quote from the Financial Times explains:
…crisis communications veterans insist that there are proved lessons companies can learn to reduce the risk of ending up tarnished. “It is a skill,” says Richard Torrenzano, who runs The Torrenzano Group, a US consultancy. “You can prepare.”
The starting point should be a sober assessment of what could go wrong. As Robbie Vorhaus, who runs a US crisis communications consultancy, says, good crisis management is 80 per cent preparation. This, however, is harder than it sounds. As Mr Torrenzano puts it, asking managers to confront the risk of business failure is like asking people to think about their own mortality. “Everyone wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die,” he says.
We at Bernstein Crisis Management call this “sober assessment” a Vulnerability Audit, and it is the starting point for any successful crisis prevention program. By fully assessing the potential crises and identifying workable solutions, organizations can be ready for action when the inevitable problem does occur.
The BCM Blogging Team
https://www.bernsteincrisismanagement.com/