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As we figure out how to deal with the current financial crisis, communication may be the best tool we have to keep our organizations on an even keel and our employees, customers, members and other publics from a state of panic. If you fail to let folks know what your risk is and what you are doing to survive this situation, they will have to fill in the blanks themselves - and the results won't be pretty. While communication is critical at all times, the tough times make it more important than ever. The following articles can help you decide what to say and how to say it.

More than half of working Americans said their employers have not addressed their concerns about the impact of the current economic turmoil. (Item #1) Here are some times on planning what to say in a crisis. (Item #2) How are you going to handle the emotional side of people's concerns about the economy and other issues? (Item #3)

As the financial crisis continues to unfold, its reverberations will absolutely be Topic One for any business-related media - and employees - and, as such, needs to be factored into your communications mix. (Item #4) In any crisis, you must be prepared to provide employees with information - your crisis communication plan will guide you through the tough times. (Item #5) It is vital that you develop a crisis communications and management plan that prepares you in advance for this eventuality. (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 [email protected]

Best Regards,

Bob Mellinger
President
Attainium Corp

Quote of the Week

"What we have here is a failure to communicate."
-- Paul Newman, in Cool Hand Luke --

Articles

1. Employees craving top-down discussion on economy
In its survey of 514 employed Americans, a recent survey found that 70% expected the current economic situation to have a negative impact on the companies they work for, while 62% of those said their companies would have trouble meeting its goals.
http://www.prweekus.com/Employees-craving-top-down-discussion-on-economy/article/119438/

2. Crisis Communication I: How bad is it?
When is reassurance more alarming? Do we err on the alarming side or the safety side? Here are some answers that can help you determine your communication strategy.
http://www.psandman.com/handouts/AIHA-DVD.htm

3. Crisis Communication II: Coping with the emotional side of the crisis
Legitimize people's concerns, let them know you also have concerns, and don't over react to what are likely to be the over reactions of your employees and others.
http://www.psandman.com/handouts/AIHA/page3.pdf

4. The Communications Impact of Financial Market Turmoil
Communications firm Waggoner Edstrom offers some good advice to all types of organizations on communicating during the current financial crisis. If you read nothing more of this white paper, look at the end section titled "What we are recommending to our clients" for some good long-term advice.
http://www.waggeneredstrom.com/who_we_are/news_recognition/comms_impact_financial.pdf

5. Write a Crisis Communication Plan
Dealing with any crisis will be easier if you already have a crisis communication plan in place. The plan should detail how your organization plans to communicate with employees, local authorities, customers and others during and after a disaster.
http://www.ready.gov/business/talk/crisisplan.html

6. Seven Must-Have Elements in Every Crisis Communications Kit
Chances are incredibly high that your company is going to experience a crisis of some kind in the next 5 years. It's how you handle that crisis with the media which will likely determine whether that crisis builds or seriously damages your company.
http://www.globalprblogweek.com/archives/7_musthave_elements_.php