In crisis management, as in business, it pays to expect the unexpected and be ready when it happens. In the following quote, taken from a recent UK Financial Times article on preparing for crises, PR expert Colin Byrne hits the nail right on the head:
The challenge to business leaders is about managing reputation risk. The best cure is prevention, but you have to look at the whole reputation cycle. This means preparation, monitoring, action and recovery. Have an up-to-date, relevant crisis plan that is tested and revised regularly. Listen closely to stakeholders so that emerging issues can be addressed early. Don’t be blindsided – the warning signs are out there. Build and maintain relationships you might need to call upon down the road. Manage the crisis itself as openly as regulatory or legal constraints allow. The last phase, recovery, is extremely important. People will judge you less on what went wrong if they feel you took the right steps to remedy a problem.
With the speed that information travels at, thousands, or even millions, could be aware of a negative incident within minutes of it happening. Thoroughly plan and prepare to fend off threats to your reputation, or your business could suffer.
The BCM Blogging Team
https://www.bernsteincrisismanagement.com/