Communicating in a Crisis

There are no better crises than the ones that are avoided. Those you cannot avoid must be managed with tact and speed.

Every crisis is different and each one takes on a life of its own. Information may be flying about haphazardly, some of it accurate and some not. You must sort out the facts from the hyperbole and determine what information needs to be disseminated and when. Some of the common pitfalls important to address include:

• Don’t wait until you know everything

• Report regularly

• Put it in writing

• Know what you said and be prepared to say it again

– Chuck Norman, APR, S&A Communications