creating a crisis communications plan

What Should You Consider When Designing a

Crisis Communications Plan?

Monitor

Anticipate Problems

Key Stakeholders

Establish a System

Spokesperson

Employee Training

Notification System

Statement

Expect Excellence

MonitorKeep a watchful eye on the press and social

media. Being up-to-date on your business, the press, and the public's opinions will give you time to react before a situation rapidly

unfolds.

Anticipate ProblemsUnderstand that your business is not

invincible and that problems arise in every business and every industry. There’s even

turbulence in clear blue skies.

SpokespersonAppoint a designated spokesperson who will be "the voice" of your business. Educate and train them on media procedures and etiquette, as well

as how the company has or plans to handle crises.

Key StakeholdersHave a prepared list of key stakeholders that you

will need to address in the result of a crisis. Knowing who needs to be contacted and why they need to

be can help to save your reputation and potentially open doors to assistance or advice.

Establish a SystemBuild a crisis communications team that will be

responsible to act before, during and after a crisis arises. Pick a team of skilled, highly-trusted employees who will maintain their composure and

react in the proper manner at the appropriate time.

Employee TrainingEnsure that all of your employees are

trained in emergency plans and protocols. This will help to prevent incidents from occurring and help to not only save their careers and business,

but their lives.

Notification SystemDevelop a strategy to notify employees and

key stakeholders in the result of crisis. Consider phone, email, or text systems that will alert your employees and keep them up-to-date

as the crisis unravels.

StatementHave a statement prepared in advance that

illustrates your business’s action plan. A well-developed statement that demonstrates that your

business has control of a situation will reflect highly on your reputation.

Expect ExcellenceTrust that your team will react in a manner that will

demonstrate the credibility of your business. At the end of the day, you are responsible for the people that work

on your team and building a strong relationship with your employees can greatly impact how a situation is

handled.

For more information regarding crisis communications and

management, do not hesitate to contact the Fallston Group at

410.420.2001 or by email at

info@fallstongroup.com.