Crisis Communications

There is one critical thing to remember about a crisis: It CAN happen here! And, if it happens, you need to have steps in place to respond to it and keep your organization going. There are three major steps in responding to a crisis: 1) gather all the information you can about the crisis and double check it; 2) communicate what is happening to all stakeholders (don’t forget employees); and 3) monitor media and online stories to make sure information is correct; if it isn’t, do what you can to correct it. This week’s articles can help you prepare a crisis response plan and to figure out what role social media can have in that plan.

This sample Crisis Communication Plan can help you draft yours. (Item #1) It's how you handle a crisis with the media that will likely determine whether that crisis builds or seriously damages your company.(Item #2) Good news travels fast online, but bad news travels faster. (Item #3)

Can there be a balance between a business's need for quality formal communications in a crisis situation -- and the personal, informal nature of blogging? (Item #4) When should a company use social networking or resume its social networking activities post-crisis? (Item #5) What can you learn from the John Edwards scandal? (Item #6)


Read the entire issue at http://www.attainium.net/newsbriefs