10 Things for Internal Communicators to Prepare Before a Crisis
One key to an organization reacting to a crisis situation quickly and effectively is having information gathered and processes predetermined. Here are some components of a crisis communication plan that employee communication professionals should prepare before a crisis strikes:
- An emergency notification system with accurate and up-to-date contact information so that employees can be alerted quickly.
- Roles and responsibilities for crisis communication team members specifying who will draft, fact-check, approve and send messages to employees, who will monitor feedback, and who will serve as liaison with the rest of the crisis management team. Teams should conduct drills several times a year to enhance response time and the quality of the response.
- Key messaging for the most likely crisis scenarios. Messages should focus first on the well-being of employees, and then on how employees can help the organization to recover and how they can help protect the organization’s brand. To have the most impact, risk management expert Vincent Covello, Ph.D., says crisis messaging should include compassion, conviction and optimism.
- An initial employee update template that can be adapted quickly to specific crisis situations.
- A matrix detailing which communication channels reach which employee audiences, and explaining the strengths and weaknesses of each channel.
- A communication policy for employees that determines which employees can talk to the news media and which employees can post to social media sites.
- A list of places for employees to donate including local blood banks and the local chapter of the American Red Cross.
- A list of grief counselors that can be called upon to assist employees in the immediate aftermath of a crisis.
- A process that allows employees to donate money to relief efforts that can be implemented quickly in the aftermath of a crisis.
- A post-crisis evaluation form that can be used to analyze and improve upon the employee crisis communication plan and the response by the employee communication team.
What components would you add to this list for the employee communication professional?
corporate communications crisis communication crisis communication plan crisis communications crisis communications a casebook approach crisis communications and social media crisis communications case studies crisis communications plan crisis communications tips Employee Communication Internal Communications internal communications best practices internal communications best strategy internal communications plan internal communications plan example internal communications plan sample internal communications plan template internal communications tactics internal communications template internal communications tools Organizational Communications what is internal communications?
Leave a Comment
Only registerd members can post a comment , Login / Register
2 Comments
SnapCommSolutions.com
about 7 years agoThis is perfect for Crisis Messaging. Let me know if you want to check it out. Employee Desktop Alert Software http://snapcommsolutions.com
SnapComms (@snapcomms)
about 7 years agoPaul, I'm so sorry about the comment spam from snapcommsolutions. They do not represent SnapComms and we have asked them to take their site down. Sarah Perry Marketing Director SnapComms (the real one!)