Pandemic, changes, and being resilient

Under Pressure 19 February 2021

Pandemic, changes, resilience and more

We are heading to the first anniversary of the UK lockdown that was the start of what has been a turbulent and traumatic year. At the same time 23 March will mark my first year of my crisis communication consultancy. I am planning to mark the moment in some way so watch this space.

Establishing a business during a pandemic has not been easy and I was interested to see the list that Stephen Waddington has been putting together of more than 45 PR and comms agencies that have been set up in the past 12 months. It was talking about my situation, the learning and the future that led me to want to capture some of the positive stories from life through the pandemic.

I am looking for a collection of individual experiences for my latest report due to be published in early April. It will reflect on the impact, learning and how living through this extended crisis has changed us. If you have a story to tell please get in touch with me by emailing amanda@amandacolemancomms.co.uk

Behaviour change and crisis communication

Almost 150 people joined my #crisischat webinar with behavioural comms expert Shayoni Lynn on 18 February. The discussion considered the role behavioural science has with crisis communication. People joined from as far afield as Malaysisa and Pakistan.

There was a huge positive response from those who joined and I am very grateful to Shayoni for giving us her valuable time. If you were not able to attend you can watch the hour long webinar here.

Next Crisischat webinars

The next two #crisischat webinars take place on 2 and 4 March both starting at 12noon GMT. The first looks at how we can build resilience when we are in the middle of a crisis. Expert Emma Ewing will be answering questions and giving some top tips.

To register click here.

On 4 March the focus will be on what role artificial intelligence has within crisis communication. We see a lot spoken about the importance of PR professionals understanding AI if they are going to be ready for the future. In the session we will be helped through the world of AI by specialist Kerry Sheehan.

To register click here.

In Brief:

• The Centre for Crisis and Risk Communication have published a crisis communication report including research, case studies, and reflection from members of the centre. The document Crisis Collage can be found on this link.

• In further reading the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) has published a collection of thought leadership articles in an e-book. The crisis communication essays can be accessed here.

• Building resilience is a challenge for all of us. I took part in a recently published CIPR podcast considering the issue alongside two women with amazing stories of resilience. You can find out more here.

• Watch out for my latest crisis communication case study that will be published in the first week of March. This edition of Testing Times will focus on the importance of words to avoid reputational crises.

Diary Dates

• 23 February - start of four day intensive crisis communication course with Westco Communications. Details here.

• 10 March - crisis management - reputation, recovery and rebuilding webinar for the PRCA. Details here.

• 18 March - producing engaging content in public sector communications webinar for the PRCA. Details here.

• 23 March - keeping afloat during Covid-19 talk at the PR Agency Boot Camp organised by P World. Find out more here.

• 24 March - I will be providing a crisis communication case study to the Government Communications Boot Camp organised by P World. Find out more here.