Preventing a crisis: how to do better
Preventing a crisis: how to do better
Under Pressure 20 August 2022
Preventing a crisis: how to do better
Being given the opportunity to write one book was a dream so when I had the chance to write a second I jumped at it. I call Everyday Communication Strategies my prequel to the first book Crisis Communication Strategies that was published in May 2020.
The second book which is due to be published on 3 November in everywhere expect USA and Canada (23 November publication date) looks at all those issues and incidents that could be tackled more effectively to try and minimise the risk of a crisis hitting the business.
When I wrote about crises I realised that there is a whole phase of work that takes place before anything happens. It is not about planning for a crisis but actually averting those reputational disasters. The book works through plans and approaches that can be taken looking at case studies to illustrate the details that are included.
We often think about crisis communication when we are already quite a way down the road towards it happening. In this book I want to start the thinking every day when we are doing all communication work.
If you are interested in the book it is available for pre-order on the website of publisher Kogan Page and on Amazon.
The cost of a crisis
The UK appears to be in a precarious position at the moment. Day after day there are headlines about the increasing cost of living, nightmare projections about the energy costs that will hit into 2023 and interest rate rises. Within this challenging and uncertain world being plunged into a crisis can be even more costly to a business, according to Amanda Coleman crisis communication consultant.
Damage to businesses due to a crisis that is badly managed could, at the worst, be the end of the road. People’s resilience is being tested just months after being under pressure due to the pandemic. So what can be done to try to shore up a business in case of disaster? Here are Amanda’s five points:
Have a crisis communication plan that is ready to use and is tested.
Ensure all staff are involved in identifying issues and problems at an early stage so that action can be taken to mitigate the impact.
Prioritise workloads so that staff are taking holidays and time off away from the pressures of the business.
Put horizon scanning in place to be monitoring for future threats.
Revise and update risk registers and risk management plans.
Crisis simulation update
Building resilience is top of the agenda for many in light of the pandemic, extreme weather conditions and many other issues. As we are heading into autumn and winter consider testing your crisis communication plan. Amanda Coleman Communications Ltd is able to provide a real life experience to help test and train. Find out more by emailing amanda@amandacolemancomms.co.uk
In Brief:
Research from UCL has urged governments and organisations to start preparing now for flooding. The work says flooding is going to get worse in the coming years. Find out more here.
The Forbes Council have provided insight with things to be aware of when branding during a crisis. Find out more here.
PR News provided some myth busting by taking some commonly held views about crisis communication and challenging whether they are still relevant in the modern world. Read about it here.
There is an interesting risk communication role that is being recruited to, based in Poland it is supporting work related to the war in Ukraine. Find out about the role here.
Crucial conversations are vital in a crisis according to a report in Human Resources Online.net. Find out why and what needs to be done here.
An article written by Amanda about the impact of the interest rate rise in the UK was published on the CIPR Influence website. Read the details here.
Diary Dates:
On 14 September, Amanda will be running two training sessions for the PRCA. In the morning the popular Developing a Communication Strategy course will take place. Find out more here. In the afternoon the webinar Crisis Management practical tips for reputation, recovery and rebuilding will take place. Find out more here.
16 September 2022 - Amanda will be running a simulation at the Crisis Communication Bootcamp run by P World. Find out more here.
Amanda will be speaking at this year’s Emergency Services Show in September. Find out more here.