Crisis Communications

Strategies for Crisis Communication

Typically, when a crisis occurs at an organization, it happens suddenly and without warning.  When crisis strikes, the survival of the organization can be dependent upon how the organization's responses are communicated to the multiple stakeholders.  The key to ensuring the communications are clearly received, believed, and acted upon is preparation.
           
In their industry-leading crisis practice, both principals use their media experience to guide the process. Jackson Bain is a former NBC News correspondent and former senior vice president of Hill and Knowlton. Sandra Bain is a former writer for Washington publications such as the Washington Post and an international television news producer.  They help clients understand:

• How to lay out a crisis communication program that fits the size, risk level and complexity of your organization
  
  
• How to gain buy-in on the creation and implementation of a crisis communication plan among organization opinion leaders, and how to overcome key executive reluctance to speak to the public and the media during a crisis
  
  
• How to create a crisis communication team;   how to lay out functional communications responsibilities for managers and executives, to insure the information from inside your organization is accurate and complete
  
  
• How to control the media and public access to information without appearing to be evasive or uncooperative
  
  
• How to get employees and workers to support and conform to rules that control the flow of information to the media and the public
  
  
• How to develop and stage rehearsal sessions for your organization, to help executives trust the crisis communications program, recognize its benefits and use its lessons when crises occur
  
  
• Success metrics: how to follow-up with the media and stakeholders to accurately measure the impact of your crisis plan, and to insure your crisis messages have been remembered.

The worst examples of bad crisis communication are generally caused by no communications; the best examples of good crisis communication are the result of intensive and thorough preparation, with all possible crisis scenarios considered before they happen.  Using simple organizational techniques and videotaped examples Bain and Associates helps your organization develop and execute a total crisis communication program, and keep it viable.

Confidential examples of crisis management, preparation and mitigation are available upon request.

Click to download Crisis Management Imperatives:  Ten Rules for the Long, Bumpy Road