When I
first started my career, I worked in the corporate communications department at
a large financial services company.
One of my first projects was to update all the obituaries for the
company’s senior leadership. I
thought it was kind of creepy; after all, they still were alive.
It taught
me an important lesson. The
unexpected happens so why not be prepared for it.
Years
later as a consultant, I worked with companies to develop crisis communications
plans. These plans have two uses:
to put in place a framework for how communications will flow during a crisis,
and to try to identify potential crises before they arise so the company can
take preemptive actions.
The need
for a crisis communications plan today is even greater. Social media channels have opened up a
hornet’s nest for rumors and information leaks if communications are not
handled appropriately.
Does your
company have a plan in place to guide you through the unexpected?
–Mara
Conklin