creating a crisis communications plan
DESCRIPTION
Taking a proactive approach will keep your company ready if a crisis were to occur. Here are nine things to keep in mind while developing your crisis communications plan.TRANSCRIPT
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