In light of the recent Eliot Spitzer scandal, I felt it was a good time to discuss the importance of a crisis communication plan. A crisis communication plan is about preparation and response to a crisis that hits an organization. I'm always surprised at how many organizations don't have a crisis communication plan in place. It's not something you want to be caught without. Give me a few minutes this week and let me show you how to begin the development of your own crisis communication plan.
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It never ceases to amaze me that so many organziations don’t think they need a crisis communications plan until it’s too late. As a press and media relations consultant, my focus is a little more narrow than a typical public relations firm… I focus on hard news content and damage control. Virtually every one of my clients is vulnerable to a p.r. crisis, but only about 5 percent of them choose to put a plan in place before a crisis hits. The difference between having a plan in place and not having one is the difference between a news story that lasts a day or two and one that can last for weeks. Laura, you’re right about Spitzer, no crisis plan could have saved him. Your points on developing a plan are also spot-on. Prior to starting my consultancy, I was a broadcast news journalist for 20 years. The press is going to report the story whether a company or organization responds or not. I’m speaking from personal experience as someone who ran the story on many occasions, without comment from the organization in crisis. I tell my clients they have a choice in a crisis communicatinos situation, they can shape and frame the debate or they can let the media run it! That’s the real difference between having a crisis communications plan and not having one.
Great feedback Bob, it’s always fantastic to hear from others in the industry.