Crisis Communication Plan

Business Crisis Communications Plan

MLS5200 Crisis Communications Management
Purpose
The purpose of the crisis communications plan is to provide guidance and direction for all communication (Walaski, 2011) within Business, between Business, the media and the public in the event a crisis warranting such occurs. Though normally unanticipated, any situation that results in attention that is brought on by negative media attention or adverse public reaction requires that we respond with a well thought out coordinated response (Walaski, 2011) in order to protect the reputation of the organization and right any harm or wrongdoing that is perceived by all stakeholders involved. Emergencies or controversial
It is critical that no one aside from the CEO and crisis communications team or designated spokesperson attempt to engage the media or answer questions no matter how insistent they may be. All requests for information must be directed to the official communications team, without exception.
Responses to the community will be coordinated through the crisis communications team as well. The community must receive timely information that will include the potential affect the crisis will have on them and actions that are being taken to prevent further disruption to their lives (Jordan-Meier, 2011). Sincere sympathy or apathy is required but the message must still remain focused on resolving the situation in the quickest possible way (Jordan-Meier, 2011).
In the event that a crisis requires a government agency to be notified, such notification will come from the CEO or designated spokesperson. The information provided will be taken seriously in order to comply with required disclosures. All cooperation will be extended to these agencies by all company employees without exception but all communication must go through the crisis communications
Working in connection with the CEO and board of directors, the official message will be identified and then reviewed for correction as the crisis develops as necessary. Before communications are released, they need to be approved by the crisis communications team to ensure they are current.
A spokesperson will be designated as the situation warrants and will be decided by the crisis communications team. In some cases, more than one spokesperson will be chosen to cover different stakeholders or when the pace of the crisis requires information to flow quicker than one person can keep up with. The spokesperson will be directed by the crisis communications team.
During a crisis, the crisis communications team will hold regular, formal meetings that will be documented (Walaski, 2011). The designated team leader is responsible for ensuring that the meetings are held as often as required to keep up with the crisis. As the message is reviewed, the CEO and spokesperson or spokespersons will be notified immediately of any