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02-12-2010
Ensuring your crisis and issues management plan stands up to festive cheer!
The work Christmas parties have begun, decorations are up in the streets, the Coca-Cola ad has appeared on TV and companies are beginning to send out their Christmas emails/cards. But, in order to truly relax over the festive break, it pays to ensure your crisis and issues management plan is up to date.
Top tip #1 Dig out and dust off your plan and check that the people named as spokespeople and decision-makers still work at the company and that the processes outlined are actually still relevant. If not, you’ll need to make a judgement about whether you can amend or whether you are better off starting from scratch!
Top tip #2 Make sure that the people who are named in your plan actually know that they are on call, are available via at least two different methods of communication and know that they need to stay sober throughout the festivities.
Top tip #3 Make sure your plan is a living, breathing document. Run a test – using a third party if appropriate – to evaluate how quickly, accurately and appropriately your team is able to respond to a crisis scenario and difficult questioning from the media.
Top tip #4 Remember that real life never responds like the text book. Your crisis and issues management plan should act as a guide and not a prescription. Every situation is different.
Top tip #5 Finally, use your common sense and trust your instincts when making decisions! If you think your Christmas card message might be a bit risqué or cause offence then change it. If the office Christmas party involves extreme sports, then make sure you are prepared to handle any potential accidents. And, unless you are actively courting negative headlines, don’t accept a £60 billion bailout from the taxpayer and then spend £1.6m on Christmas parties
Get in touch If you would like an outside perspective on your existing crisis and issues management plan, help drafting a new plan or a test scenario which can be run to evaluate effectiveness, then please get in touch with Angela on 0121 212 6250 or email Angela.
Photograph: Richard Baker/Alamy.
