Minimizing Reputation Damage Through Effective Crisis Communication

In the running of organizations today, crisis is becoming a norm. Hence, communicating with the stakeholders when a crisis occurs becomes an integral part of any organization. This is because crises are inevitable in organizations, and the results of dealing with them ineffectively are dire. Organizations spend a lot of resources building their reputation and should be ready to deal with anything that threatens to damage that reputation.

As this page can be pretty long, do select to read the relevant topics from the "Table of Contents" found on this page.

One of the critical steps in the CC journey is to “speak the same lingo.”  Hence, an organization must define a “disaster” or "crisis" when embarking on Crisis Communications (CC) and the many terms used during the implementation and management of this CC program.  In our context, aligning and correctly understanding each CC terminology is critical.

What Is A Disaster or Crisis in the Crisis Communication Context?

• What is Crisis Communication?
• What Are the Key Terminology You Need to Know? Look for the terms in "BCMPedia: Crisis Communication in Wikipedia"?

If you are embarking on your crisis communication (CC) journey and starting from a "blank page," what should you be undertaking? 

• Do you have an existing CC framework and policy? Is there a similar document that you can retrieve from the Public Relations or corporate Communication team?
• Do you know who the members of your CC team are?
• If you are part of the crisis management, business continuity management, or IT disaster recovery team, how are you integrated to support the crisis communication effort during a crisis?

Suppose you are the person assigned to support the crisis communication initiative. In that case, you should start by gathering information from articles, case studies and analyses of recent crises affecting organizations inside and outside your industry. The key is to identify best-practice recommendations and any common pitfalls of the crisis communication effort to support the communication processes during crisis management.

Read some Crisis Communication articles on our LinkedIn Showcase (Crisis Communication).

Globally, at your home location, related courses are specific to crisis communication.  If you find it useful, you may want to take a look at the BCM Institute's series of specialized CC courses.  The quick question is, do I have the necessary skillset and know-how to do this job? What do I "not know"? "How Do I Start My CC Learning Journey?"

The institute offers training that leads to professional certification. You may want to review the following CC courses to determine their relevance to your roles and prior knowledge.

How Do I Start My CC Learning Journey? 

The institute has competency-based training leading to professional certification.  You may review the CC courses to determine their relevance to your roles and prior knowledge.

For experienced and those seeking to progress in their careers, it is time to review and develop a learning road map that will accelerate their knowledge, skillset, and, most importantly, their careers.

Here are some of the related courses to consider. Before you take action, review "What is My CC Competency Level?"  

You need to know where you are "Know-Do-Manage" and where you aspire to reach or are required by the current CC role.

So, What Exactly Is Your CC Role?

For experienced professionals and those seeking to progress in their careers, reviewing and developing your learning road map will accelerate your knowledge, skillset, and, most importantly, your career. However, if you are already the CC Manager, what other roles are within the CC organisation? Click the "Tell Me More" button above to call us for more information.

Crisis Communication Certification provides you with the necessary verification that you know and also the necessary experience to implement or manage the crisis communication program.

Below are the three levels of certification. Crisis Communication certifications include CCCP, CCCS, and CCCE.

More information on the requirements to attain your certification can be found by clicking the CC certification icon above.

The institute published a specialized BCM book, "A Manager's Guide to Implement Your Crisis Communication Plan."  You can get a copy from the BCM Institute's store.

This book provides an overview of how a CC framework is developed. Its content advises the reader on implementing the Crisis Communication framework, principles, and methodologies. This book clearly explains the standard and details the “How-to” aspect of implementing your CC program, plans, and procedures. It also guides CC professionals new to implementing and achieving crisis communication.

If you have any questions, please feel free to write to us @ info@bcm-institute.org