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It used to be said that a company's reputation could be ruined in a day. Since the advent of the Internet, email, and blogs, reputations can be damaged in only minutes. It used to be that a company's crises could be handled almost before they were discovered; not so today. It makes great good sense, therefore, to have in place a crisis communication plan that you can implement as soon as something happens, because managing the crisis could be the only way to avoid disaster. The items below can help you get that plan ready to roll.

The key to effective crisis communication is to be prepared before a crisis occurs. (Item #1) Here's a starter list of seven items that should be included in any crisis communications kit. (Item #2) Helping management understand the impact of inappropriate or poorly thought out crisis response is an important strategic service. (Item #3)

Read about blogging's role in PR damage control. (Item #4) Here are five steps every company should take to prepare for a PR crisis that might emerge from the blogosphere. (Item #5) IM is a new business tool. (Item #6)

As always, we look forward to hearing about your concerns with regards to business continuity. If you have a topic you'd like to see covered, please email me at bmellinger@attainium.net

Best Regards,

Bob Mellinger
President
Attainium Corp

Quote of the Week

"No comment says a lot more than no comment, and none of it is good."
- The Media Trainers® -

Articles

1. Crisis Communications
A crisis is an event that occurs suddenly, often unexpectedly, and demands a quick response. Ultimately, it can threaten the reputation of a top official and an organization. A well-managed crisis, however, can not only preserve reputations and credibility but can also enhance them.
http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/pressoffice/crisis.htm

2. Seven Must-have Elements in Every Crisis Communications Kit
It's important for your crisis communications kit to not only be duplicated in some offsite location, but to also include information, disks, graphics, computer files, photos, etc. that are normally readily at your fingertips in your office.
http://www.globalprblogweek.com/archives/7_musthave_elements_.php

3. Seven Dimensions of Crisis Communication Management: A Strategic Analysis and Planning Model
The most challenging part of crisis communication management is reacting - with the right response - quickly. This is because behavior always precedes communication. Non-behavior or inappropriate behavior leads to spin, not communication. In emergencies, it's the non-action and the resulting spin that cause embarrassment, humiliation, prolonged visibility, and unnecessary litigation.
http://www.e911.com/monos/A001.html

4. The Blog's New Role in Crisis Communications
Here's an in-depth look at perhaps one of blogging's more challenging applications: the spin and damage control aspects of PR. Can there be a balance between a business's need for quality formal communications in a crisis situation -- and the personal, informal nature of blogging?
http://blog.fastcompany.com/archives/2005/01/26/the_blogs_new_role_in_crisis_communications.html

5. Blog Crisis Communications Planning 101
Bloggers emphasize how blogging can help when things get bad by projecting a human face or voice for an organization and by providing a forum for soliciting specific feedback from customers.
http://www.micropersuasion.com/2005/01/blog_crisis_com.html

6. Instant messaging emerging as mission critical business tool
Enterprises that haven't already done so should start incorporating IM into their critical business processes immediately, says Gartner.
http://www.continuitycentral.com/news03330.htm