My initial reactions are ‘Gather the Crisis Management Team’, and, ‘When is the first press conference?’ In other words, at what time is your first opportunity to release news and control events?
Alternatively, I can start with a crisis and calamities analysis. What can go wrong and how do you respond adequately, to internal and external audiences?
- We need a crisis communication plan.
- Who are the members of the crisis team?
- Who is the designated spokesperson?
- How do we play to the professionals’ strengths when the crisis strikes?
We will list all the parties involved in the communication during a crisis situation, and assess their individual roles. We will agree how the company aims to present itself during and after the disaster. We will set up a schedule and discuss the details with all the relevant parties. With the aid of realistic crisis simulations, we will rehearse the role of the spokesperson and all handlings with the media. You will learn how to handle the media circus at the gate, which information to release to the local residents, and how to find out who the appropriate contact persons are for local authorities.