How proactive are you in crisis communications planning? Most companies think “it” will never happen to them and live with the risks until it’s too late.
A good role model in planning for the inevitable is the large global corporation for which Tampa-based Clearview Communications/The Message Masters recently provided crisis-focused media interview skills workshops.
In this case, the board and CEO of the large, publicly-traded corporation knew that because its manufacturing processes had the potential for major environmental and property damage should systems malfunction, it was imperative that front-line managers prepare to communicate with stakeholder groups should the worst happen.
ASSESS YOUR COMPANY’S CURRENT RISK FOR A COSTLY CRISIS
Clearview Communications/The Message Masters earned high marks on evaluations from the 54 executives at the global corporation’s nine manufacturing facilities who participated in the marathon crisis communications workshops.
However, the real honors are due the company’s board of directors and CEO, who identified the need for proactive planning to prepare its manufacturing division executives to respond appropriately and confidently in a business crisis situation. The board and CEO’s foresight will pay major dividends when that disaster strikes.
The manufacturing firm employs 9,100 at more than 50 locations in the U.S., Canada, Europe and China. Their processes are considered a significant risk for a crisis that could affect employee safety, morale, the environment, the community, operations, stock price and revenues.
The day-long training at each manufacturing facility was intentionally rigorous, realistic and demanding. The men and women who experienced the workshops will be able to effectively plan for and then manage media relations, community relations and internal and external communications in a crisis. That expertise applied in a crisis can minimize and even eliminate the negative effects on the brand, its people, stakeholders, operations and revenues.
“Because we intentionally designed the workshops to be serious, challenging and actually stressful, I was anxious before reading the course evaluations,” commented Andrew Bowen, APR, Founder and Senior Counsel at Clearview Communications/The Message Masters, who led the training effort. “It was gratifying to read comments such as the ones below, however, because I knew the participants appreciated the value of the demanding syllabus.”
• “Superb,” commented the firm’s chief legal counsel and corporate secretary, an international attorney.
• “Taking the training with the whole management team — seeing the other styles, hearing their input, having them act as reporters to question us, etc. was part of what made this excellent training.”
• “Some of the best training I have received in many years; a phenomenal asset to me personally. “
• “Andy Bowen was an excellent instructor! Very personable and experienced. Made for a very enjoyable day.”
• “Very good session – well worth our time. I saw the training as beneficial for dealing with the media, but in addition, many of the strategies are effective for communicating in general.”
• “This was a humbling experience. This is something that I need to practice, on camera, on a regular basis.”
• “Turned what is considered to be an intimidating process into a comfortable and easy to apply concept.”
• “This was valuable training beyond just dealing with the media. It would be appropriate for all senior management staff members at each facility.”
Next Steps
Don’t let a corporate or divisional crisis catch you off guard. Take action now. Visit www.clearviewcom.com to learn more.