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JUST A THOUGHT
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A crisis plan without training is like a cake that's still in recipe form.
Jonathan Bernstein
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FROM THE EDITOR In two weeks' time, all eyes will be on London and the Olympic Games. British officials are understandably keen on making sure the proceedings go smoothly, with their largest concern being a terrorist attack. Preparations have already caused several stirs, including residents protesting the military using their rooftops as bases for surface to air missile batteries. In addition, wi th the security contractor for the games only recently admitting it simply won't have the staff to do a proper job, military leadership is in an uproar over seasoned combat veterans being used for low-level security tasks like bag searches and gate patrols. I can't imagine any situation that requires superb crisis preparedness more than this upcoming Olympics. The Munich Olympics in 1972 introduced the event to the horror of terrorism. In the UK, where terrorist acts are common, authorities simply cannot do enough to ensure no repeat of that catastrophe. Hopefully, all security related agencies will succeed in facilitating a safe and highly enjoyable Olympics. Changing over to a more mundane, but still important matter, I'd also like to take a moment to share something that reader Phil Cox opened my eyes to after last issue's editorial. Although I commended businesses that place public bowls out for thirsty pets, it has been demonstrated that those shared bowls actually contribute to the spread of dangerous diseases like heartworm! If you're still looking for ways to help customers and their furry friends beat the heat, try offering individual paper cups and a water dispenser instead. As always, below you'll find a summary of the best from both of our blogs.
If you like what you see, please share it with others by using the "Forward Email" link at the bottom of the ezine and tell them to subscribe! IMPORTANT NOTE: If you just "Forward" using your own email program's "Forward" function and your recipient thinks they're being spammed, they can click on the Opt Out link and opt YOU off the list. So use the "Forward Email" link, please.
Thank you, and read on! - Erik |
BLOGS!
By Erik Bernstein
| Here's a look at some recent posts from both the Bernstein Crisis Management blog and our Crisis Management blog over at Carter McNamara's Free Management Library. If you're a crisis manager, whether it's in your job description or not, we have info you can use.
In today's world of mass communication via text, putting a human face on your organization can make a world of difference. Video Crisis Management explains why it works so well and how to do it right.
Still facing runaway acceleration problems in new vehicles, Toyota is doing little to prove to regulators or the public that it actually cares about public safety, endangering its reputation, finances, and, most importantly, human lives. When it comes to what seems to be a never-ending string of recalls, Toyota's Crisis Management Runs Flat.
It's late, you slept four hours last night, and all you're thinking about is heading home when a reporting crew pops out from behind your building, lights on and camera rolling. Suddenly, you're on stage, and there are no second takes. They Call it an "Ambush" interview, and this guest post from crisis management/community relations pro Judy Hoffman (which includes a hint from Jonathan Bernstein) will get you set to handle it right.
In the absence of communication, rumor and innuendo fill the gap. Nowhere is this more true than on the Web, which is why it's crucial to Talk to Your Online Community in Times of Crisis. Don't get stuck on silent, or let your detractors take control. Give your audience what they want - information!
Nearly 110 million Americans own smartphones. Chances are, most of the people around you right now have one in their pocket or purse. Where's the crisis, you say? Well, every single one of those smartphones is capable of not only broadcasting voice and text, but also doing the same for video, and if they happen to capture your dirty laundry, it could be be aired across the 'net before you know it. Check out this post for more reasons why Smartphone Growth Dramatically Increases Crisis Management Threat.
Since the infamous 1964 "Daisy Girl" spot, attack ads have been an inseparable part of every Presidential race. The current one is no different, and we recently saw the oil-billionaire Koch brothers launch a big-budget attack ad against the Obama administration's handling of big oil and alternative energy. In Obama Campaign Turns Attack Ad Against Attackers, we look at the Obama camp's brilliantly simple response strategy, which left its detractors looking like fools.
Erik Bernstein is a freelance writer, editor of Crisis Manager, and Social Media Manager for Bernstein Crisis Management
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| APROPOS OF NOTHING | |
Attention Media Trainers!
If you want a STELLAR video of how NOT to respond to a reporter, here's one.....
 | | Rude Governor? 'Are you stupid ' - New Jersey Governor Chris Christie calls a reporter "idiot" |
...courtesy of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. His PR staff must have needed a diaper change after this one!
The Crisis Show - Fourth Episode Up Now!
The Crisis Show debuted on June 13, and we just wrapped another episode last night that you can find on our YouTube channel. Our live format provides a great opportunity to interact with viewers in real time. Tune in every Wednesday at 7 EST/4 PST and tweet your questions or comments with the tag #thecrisisshow. We'll take breaks to read and respond live on the show! Of course, you can submit questions when the show's not online as well. Just use our "Ask the Experts" page. -- Jonathan
Crisis Management Database
If you are a crisis management professional or work in a related field -- e.g., media training, business continuity -- write to me for information on how to be part of my new Crisis Management Database. -- Jonathan
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BUSINESS ANNOUNCEMENTS
(aka blatant self-promotion) Manager's Guide to Crisis Management  Whether you're a seasoned manager, aspiring up-and-comer, or student of crisis management, Jonathan Bernstein's new book, "Manager's Guide to Crisis Management," (McGraw-Hill, 2011) will put you in control of any situation. Reviews at Amazon (the link above) are stellar, and McGraw-Hill reports they are pleased with sales-to-date.
Keeping the Wolves at Bay: Media Training  What has 80+ pages of hard-hitting, enter- taining and easy-to-read guidance on how to deal with both traditional and online media during times of crisis? The answer is Keeping the Wolves at Bay - Media Training. The, four-color, perfect-bound, 8x10 manual is currently available both in hardcopy ($25) and PDF form ($10). Volume discounts are available; write to Jonathan Bernstein for that information. Here's a couple of teaser reviews for you: Jonathan Bernstein's Keeping the Wolves at Bay is an eminently practical guidance for anyone - business leader, celebrity, politician - who must willingly or unwillingly face the glare of media attention. It appears
at a moment in time when the social media and other digital communications have upped the ante exponentially.
Bernstein's practicum on media relations takes on renewed urgency as news, gossip, and opinion now drive
public perception virally and at the speed of light.
Richard Levick, Esq.
President & CEO
Levick Strategic Communications, LLC
Even if you think you'll never, ever be interviewed by the media, buy this book and read it cover to cover. It isn't a substitute for media training. But it will give you the tools and confidence to go head to head -- and possibly even defang -- rabid reporters, blood-thirsty bloggers and social networking buffoons who are out to besmirch your good name. Joan Stewart, The Publicity Hound Want To Blog And Tweet About Your Organization But Don't Have Time?
Missing out on all the promotional and SEO advantages of doing so? Hire someone to be your voice...like Erik Bernstein, editor of Crisis Manager.
More info:[email protected]. |
GUEST AUTHORSGuest authors are very welcome to submit material for "Crisis Manager." There is no fee paid, but most guest authors have reported receiving business inquiries as a result of appearing in this publication. Case histories, experience-based lessons, commentary on current news events and editorial opinion are all eligible for consideration. Submission is not a guarantee of acceptance. |
ABOUT THE PUBLISHER AND EDITOR  Jonathan Bernstein is both publisher of Crisis Manager and president of Bernstein Crisis Management, Inc., a national crisis management public relations agency providing 24/7 access to crisis response professionals. The agency engages in the full spectrum of crisis management services: crisis prevention, response, planning & training. He has been in the public relations field since 1982, following five-year stints in both military intelligence and investigative reporting. Write to Jonathan at: [email protected]. Erik Bernstein is editor of Crisis Manager and is also Social Media Manager for Bernstein Crisis Management, Inc. Write to Erik at: [email protected]. |
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LEGAL DISCLAIMERAll information contained herein is obtained by Jonathan Bernstein from sources believed by Jonathan Bernstein to be accurate and reliable. Because of the possibility of human and mechanical error as well as other factors, neither Jonathan Bernstein nor Bernstein Crisis Management is responsible for any errors or omissions. All information is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Bernstein Crisis Management and Jonathan Bernstein make no representations and disclaim all express, implied, and statutory warranties of any kind to the user and/or any third party including, without limitation, warranties as to accuracy, timeliness, completeness, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose.
Unless due to willful tortuous misconduct or gross negligence, Jonathan Bernstein and Bernstein Crisis Management shall have no liability in tort, contract, or otherwise (and as permitted by law, product liability), to the user and/or any third party.
Under no circumstance shall Bernstein Crisis Management or Jonathan Bernstein be liable to the user and/or any third party for any lost profits or lost opportunity, indirect, special, consequential, incidental, or punitive damages whatsoever, even if Bernstein Crisis Management or Jonathan Bernstein has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
A service of this newsletter is to provide news summaries and/or snippets to readers. In such instances articles and/or snippets will be reprinted as they are received from the originating party or as they are displayed on the originating website or in the original article. As we do not write the news, we merely point readers to it, under no circumstance shall Bernstein Crisis Management or Jonathan Bernstein be liable to the user and/or any third party for any lost profits or lost opportunity, indirect, special, consequential, incidental, or punitive damages whatsoever due to the distribution of said news articles or snippets that lead readers to a full article on a news service's website, even if Bernstein Crisis Management or Jonathan Bernstein has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Authors of the original news story and their publications shall be exclusively held liable. Any corrections to news stories are not mandatory and shall be printed at the discretion of the list moderator after evaluation on a case-by-case basis.
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