Crisis Management

Chapter 12

Every corporation WILL experience a crisis it’s just matter of WHEN. 

“Whether a company survives a crisis with its reputation, operations, and financial condition intact is determined less by the severity of the crisis––the underlying event –– than by the timeliness and quality of its response to the crisis.”

A checklist to prepare for crisis…

1. Know what a crisis is.
2. Develop a plan for when a crisis hit
3. Delegate who is responsible when a crisis strikes
4. Control the agenda
5. Develop messages with a goal in mind
6. Understand your stakeholders

Source : Reputation Management

Top Ten List

Top Ten Public Speaking Tips

When some people see the words, public speaking, they cringe at the mere thought of having to get in front of people and speak.  When they hear the word, presentation, they sink even lower and begin to sweat.  Many jobs require some kind of public speaking or presentations.  I have compiled a top ten list of tips that will hopefully help you be a little less startled the next time you are asked to address a group of people.

1.  Practice! One way to release some of the nerves is by practicing and reciting the material so that you are more familiar with it before you have to deliver it to an audience.

2.  Know your audience.  It’s important when you are presenting to know who you will be talking to so that you can make a connection with them.  Whenever the audience can find something to relate to they will be more interested in what you have to say.

3. Look the part.  Typically a first impression is made about someone within the first 7 seconds of meeting them so it’s important to dress to impress so that people will take you seriously.  It does not need to be anything elaborate but just looking put together will make a better impression then coming off sloppy or careless.

4. Speak clearly.  It’s important to pronunciate your words so that people can understand what you are saying.  Also try to eliminate “umms” and “you knows” which are filler words that will only distract the audience from what you are actually trying to portray.

5. Eye contact.  Try to locate a focal point in the crowd so that it looks like you are making eye contact with the entire audience.  You want them to feel like you are speaking directly to them and not off in space somewhere.

6. Be yourself.  It’s important to be confident in who you are so that when you present others they will take you seriously and feel like you believe in what you are saying.

7. Time yourself.  When speaking to a crowd people tend to speed up the pace so that they can hurry up and get done.  Make sure to time yourself and prepare how you are going to deliver the information so that you can prevent this bad habit.

8. Body language.  The way a person presents themselves sends a message to the audience.  For example, talking with your hands will become a distraction if it is over used.  Pacing the room will help engage the entire audience if there is a huge crowd.  Know what you are working with and align your body language accordingly.

9. Relax!  If you have done the tips above then you should have nothing to worry about, chances are people in the audience have been in your shoes before and will understand.  Take a deep breath and believe that you are going to succeed.

10.  Experience.  When given an opportunity to speak and/or present view it as another opportunity to improve your skills.  The more you present the better you will become.

Corporate Responsibility

 

Many companies incorporate what is known as, corporate responsibility.  Corporate responsibility is a company’s initiative ranging from philanthropy, to legal compliance, to social and environmental programs. Sometimes the consumers will purchase a product for the sole reason that a company supports a cause that they are passionate about. In fact, this Christmas CVS is offering a certain percentage of proceeds to go towards the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation if you purchase one of the selected Christmas movies.  My family is passionate about this cause and therefore chose to purchase the movies their verses any other store that sells them.  This company is using corporate responsibility.  Sometimes this could come off as a marketing deploy and could back fire on a company but typically its positions the company in a good light.

            Another company that I know who uses corporate responsibility is Starbucks.  I will admit that I have a slight addiction to this place so I have received many amounts of cups from this company.  Every time I received a Starbucks cup it has a statement that says that because I am choosing Starbucks I am helping to keep farmers who are good to their workers in business because Starbucks is committed to only buying ethically traded coffee.  To some people this may be the number one reason that they go to Starbucks over another coffee shop. 

            The Susan G. Koman and the breast cancer movement is another method of social responsibility that many companies use.  I know that it is something I quickly spot when out shopping some of their corporate sponsors are Dove, Guess, Stein Mart, Frito Lay, Walgreens, Kimberly Clark and KitchenAid, among many others.  Studies show that many of these companies see a spike in sells during the time that the “pink ribbon” is displayed on their products.

            I think corporate responsibility is generally a good thing for companies to incorporate, it shows that the business is concerned with society and that they are willing to give back to something that they believe in. Check the products you buy, you never know what you might be supporting!

Issues Management

Issues Management Chapter 11

Issues Management : Issues management is a process that helps identify external and internal challenges within a company prior to them escalating into something bigger.

Typically an issues management team is made up of…

Governance – a group of people to oversee everything

Issues management team – this group represents the core functional areas of the business (HR, PR, sales, marketing, administration etc.)

Topic-Specific Task Force – this group develops a strong knowledge of a specific issue

Issue Resource Team – typically a group of lawyers etc. who are only called in when needed

The main thing to remember  is to have a plan in place and know who is going to resolve it, how the steps they are going to take and have some structure as to how you are going to communicate with the press and who is on standby to help if need be.

 Source : Reputation Management