A crisis can test your organization’s resiliency and be detrimental to your business’s sustainability. Likewise, how your company responds to a crisis event can greatly impact your company’s reputation.
Developing a Crisis Management Plan can be a difficult and uncomfortable task, but it is also one of the most critical resources to ensure continuity of business operations. If there is one thing we’ve learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is that companies that adapt and overcome typically fair better. Unfortunately, creating a Crisis Management Plan is often one of the most overlooked, and reactive, processes for businesses of all sizes.
Visualize receiving an unexpected call stating your company’s network has experienced a data breach and all of your customers information is now exposed to hackers. Or even worse, it appears to be a ransom event and hackers have taken over your company’s network. While you are still investigating the matter and trying to gather facts, the media begins broadcasting news about the breach, leaving your customers angry, confused and worried.
Or, imagine there has been a death at one of your facilities. You do not know the details yet, but your employees who witnessed the event are emotionally distressed. Different versions of the event are spreading quickly across social media and other news outlets. The local news outlets are reaching out to you for a statement.
What do you do? How will you respond? Are you prepared to answer questions from the media or your stakeholders? How will you address your employees? Do your employees know how to respond if they are contacted by the media or customers regarding the event? Do you have a “holding” statement? Do you know who your company spokesperson will be?
No matter the size of your organization, preparation is key. A comprehensive Crisis Management Plan is a critical component of your business and should be developed and put into practice prior to a crisis.
A Crisis Management Plan acts as a playbook for your organization should a crisis occur. The plan provides a guide for your organization and step-by-step instructions to be followed during various crises. In addition, a well-developed Crisis Management Plan could save your company’s integrity and reputation. A Crisis Management Plan eliminates hasty reactions that may occur when a company is caught by surprise. In addition, mapping and rehearsing crisis communication responses before a crisis occurs can eliminate the dissemination of incorrect information that can sometimes go viral on social media.
Feeling confident with your Crisis Management Plan will prove reassuring even in the most dire situations. While developing the plan may seem like an overwhelming task, it is vital to your organization’s success. As Benjamin Franklin said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” MJ Risk Services is equipped to aid your organization in developing a Crisis Management Plan as part of your customized all-encompassing Business Continuity Plan.
To learn more about Crisis Management Planning download the full resource below.
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