Lisa Mixon Kennedy’s Post

The City of Atlanta's handling of this water situation is a masterclass on how NOT to handle emergency and crisis communications. Situations like these are why I urge my clients to invest in not only general comms, but also a competent crisis communications strategy. You never know when you'll need it and you can't just wing it when an emergency happens. If the city currently consults with an outside agency to handle crisis comms, fire them immediately and find a competent agency to move forward. If they are not contracting with an agency, they need to hire one IMMEDIATELY because this was the worst display of crisis communications, critical updates, and situational awareness I've ever experienced.

New blog post alert! Dive into our latest article on crisis communications. Understanding these pitfalls can be the difference between managing a crisis effectively and letting spiral out of control. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/euftjAJB

Information leaks are a serious concern for businesses in an age when information can spread quickly everywhere. Here are two things you can do now to prepare: 1. Create a crisis communications plan. Identify who would be in charge in a crisis, what you need to say, and which audiences to reach. Crisis communications plans provide a framework for making good decisions in difficult circumstances. 2. Keep your internal team informed. Ensure your team understands what is happening and why. Share what you can and explain how you’re addressing the situation. Train employees on handling sensitive information and clarify what they can and cannot share externally. https://lnkd.in/ePPmiR_e #CrisisManagement #InformationSecurity #RiskManagement

I was responsible for crisis communications for years. All crisis communications are formulaic. There are some key elements that should always be included. 🛟 The element that takes your messaging from good to great is “when will we communicate again and how.” 🛟 This communicates that you are still working on the crisis even when you’re not communicating. It calms fears that people have of “where can I find more information?” “What if I miss something important?” “Will they tell me if I need to change my plans?” It also decreases the amount of inbound questions you’ll receive. Everyone knows when and how information will be shared, so they won’t call you to ask you. This increases your capacity to actually deal with the crisis. Oh….When’s the best time to come up with a crisis communication plan? Before the crisis. Let me know if you need help.

Learn the importance of a strategic crisis communications plan that balances addressing organizational fears and public concerns effectively. Find out more here: https://bit.ly/3wXj3kf #litigation #crisis #corporatelaw #crisiscommunications #crisisplan

"A crisis communications plan. Think of it as your GPS. You need to drive from here to Brandon, but you might not know how to get there. So you plug in the coordinates and it helps lead you. That's what a crisis communication plan is with the right people in the right seats on the team to help you navigate that issue, that crisis in the moment to lead you safely to and through to the others." - Nicole Harris, Founder, Solv Communications

Winding River Consulting Crisis Communication Consultant Bruce Hennes emphasizes the importance of having a crisis plan before disaster strikes. The key to surviving any crisis is preparation—being proactive, not reactive. Whether it's a public relations issue or a full-blown emergency, having a solid strategy can make all the difference. Read Bruce's insights on how to build an effective crisis communication plan here: https://hubs.ly/Q02ZBWxs0 #CrisisCommunications #PublicRelations #ReputationManagement

I often talk about the idea that some crisis communications management situations are planned for but never seen. I recently managed a crisis in which you literally could not see. For one of my client's, the power was out when people arrived on site. It affected several thousand stakeholders. We quickly drafted messages in the event that the power came back quickly, or in case it didn't come back at all that day. The power came back on about 30 minutes after we sent the initial message. But we were prepared with alternative messages if it didn't. Preparing for a number of different scenarios is a hallmark of crisis communications. My job as a crisis communications consultant is to anticipate what might happen even if you can't see it or never see it, literally and figuratively. What's lighting you up today? 💡 #crisiscommunications #crisismanagement #publicrelations

16 members of Forbes Communications Council share key steps to take before addressing the media during a crisis. With their expert advice, you can build a plan that ensures crisis communications are clear, timely and appropriate to the situation at hand. https://ow.ly/kS5b50RaNu6