We've read about the troubles of Eurostar, Toyota et al. So how do large companies deal with crises? Mostly they go for spin by calling in their PR company.
The public has become increasingly sceptical of company spokespeople and there is now greater scrutiny of those at the top. Many celebrities, including recently dropped England football captain John Terry, have found themselves punished for trying to silence the media through legal routes. The internet has allowed everyone to speak out about a story, and can make an issue globally accessible in an instant. Making sure your crisis plans will work in today's society is crucial to dealing with a crisis successfully. Here are five ways to ensure your crisis plan is still relevant.
Making sure your crisis plans will work in today's society is crucial to dealing with a crisis successfully. Here are five ways to ensure your crisis plan is still relevant.
* 1. IGNORE THE INTERNET AT YOUR PERIL 'Digital has changed everything,' says Alex Woolfall, head of issues and crisis management, Bell Pottinger. 'Our starting point for clients is now finding out where an issue is going to break online.'
* 2. ALL STORIES ARE NOW GLOBAL 'There's no such thing as a little local difficulty if you're an internationally known brand,' says Regester Larkin director Eddie Bensilum.
* 3. THE DEATH OF THE SUPER-INJUNCTION Bell Pottinger's Woolfall adds: 'Every time someone attempts to suppress information, it has the effect of increasing speculation online. What bigger signal could you sent to the media that there's a story than if you get an injunction? In the long term, online will make the legal route untenable for clients.'
* 4. MAKE FRIENDS WITH THIRD PARTIES 'Do not overlook online communities. Regester Larkin's Bensilum says firms should understand how these communities operate and how they can make contact with you.
* 5. GET YOUR OWN HOUSE IN ORDER 'Take your internal communications seriously. Avoid getting caught out when a staff member interviewed by the media does not know the story. 'It's one of the cheapest ways of doing the story. Don't let staff in one market find out about a problem in another through the media,' advises Woolfall.
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Knowing these potential actions makes it easier to resist them... You can't be me, I'm taken
Because these are the developments that will put them out of business. And, Thor willing, in the long run, put big business out of business. Hierarchies (including the original hierarchy - according to the latest news) are all under threat. We are part of that threat. You can't be me, I'm taken
