Every organization faces the possibility of a crisis, whether it’s a natural or man-made disaster, cyberattack, product recall, workplace violence, misconduct allegations against an executive, damaging information online about products or services - or any number of other unforeseen events. These crises can have a devastating impact on your brand, your bottom line, and your employees.

That's why it's so important to have a comprehensive crisis management and crisis communications plan in place that covers multiple scenarios and outlines the steps you'll take to protect your organization, your employees, and your stakeholders.

But creating such a plan can be a daunting task. That's where an experienced crisis communications consultant can help. With more than three decades working in in this area, I can help you create a customized crisis management/crisis communications plan that's tailored to your organization's unique needs.

Our approach to crisis management is focused on creating a comprehensive plan that addresses all aspects of a crisis, from the initial response to ongoing communication with stakeholders. This includes identifying potential risks and vulnerabilities, developing crisis protocols, and training key personnel on crisis response.

And, if you are already in the middle of a crisis, there’s still much that can be done to minimize the damage to reputation if you don’t wait too long to respond.

Get in touch now if a crisis is brewing or if you want to prepare effectively for the worst.

Email: rich@richkleincrisis.com or call/text: 917-470-3073

Staff Shortages Due to COVID Require Effective Crisis Communications By Leaders At Start of 2022

Published on January 2, 2022

Rich Klein Crisis Management

Few of us thought that coronavirus would still dominate our business and personal lives at the dawn of 2022.

And yet, the rapid spread of the Omicron variant has, again, sent business, government and organizational leaders scrambling to adjust to the reality that COVID-19 is not receding anytime soon.

The job became even harder in recent weeks once it became known that employees who are vaccinated and boosted can also be infected - and infect others at a much faster rate than the Delta variant that has claimed so many lives.

That's a key reason why companies and organizations must work even harder at the start of 2022 to communicate effectively with critical audiences to protect reputation.

The biggest communications challenge in the New Year is dealing with increased staff shortages across the board, striking major transportation hubs, school systems, the airline industry, government operations, manufacturing and, most concerning, an already overburdened healthcare system. (In New York City, for example, a new report last week revealed that more than 20 percent of the New York Police Department is out sick from coronavirus).

These shortages are already having a direct impact on reputations everywhere.

Here's some advice that leaders can use to improve crisis communications around this issue:

1- TRANSPARENCY & EMPATHY

Level with employees and the rest of the public early on about staff shortages. The silver lining here is that people around the world understand that you have little control over COVID's spread as well as local government emergency orders that impact your products and services. And, since everyone knows about global supply chain problems and shipping delays, your organization won't be alone in this challenge. It's also critically important to show appreciation and empathy for the employees who are continuing to work, either remotely or at the office, as they may be dealing with a loved one infected and/or requiring hospitalization.

2 - TALK TO THE MEDIA EARLY

C-Suite execs should be proactive in speaking with influential reporters, columnists and producers at national, local and industry-specific media outlets to explain the challenge of operating with limited staff. Be sure to also discuss how you are responding to the shortages. For example, maybe you've asked for a meeting/call with a government official who can assist with short term solutions. During an interview, you might also explain that your organization has retained temp agencies or your organization is shifting to full or partial technology solutions to compensate for the staff shortages.

3 - UTILIZE ALL SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS

People get their news from multiple social media channels and that means you should try to have a presence on many of them: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube are the four most important vehicles in any crisis and the messages should be consistent on each - even if you decide to use just text/photos on some and audio/video on others. Of course, if you are a business to business entity, then you need to post on LinkedIn as well.

CEO video messages can be especially powerful to explain that you hear (and are responding as fast as possible ) to customer/client complaints and that you have a hard-working staff doing their best under difficult circumstances.

If you need help creating internal and external messages for your organization around staff shortage issues, please contact Rich Klein through LinkedIn, through our website at www.richkleincrisis.com or by emailing: richkleincrisis.com. You can also call or text: 917-470-3073.

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Article about building trust in the new age of coronavirus.

Coronavirus:The Biggest Crisis Management In Modern History & What Leaders Can Do About It

Rich Klein Crisis Management was founded by Rich Klein, who has advised companies, colleges, small businesses, law firms, politicians and non-profits on all aspects of crisis communications.

When your organization's future is on the line because of a high stakes, high-profile crisis or reputation challenge, it can be stressful for management and employees.

Some think they can handle these critical situations with internal marketing, public relations and social media staff.  But they are often overloaded, too afraid to confront painful realities or just too inexperienced in this area. 

In a crisis you need an experienced, strategic advisor who can help you plan for all stages of a crisis: before, during and after.

You need someone who can:  

• Help you foresee public opinion around controversial issues

• Advise on the right actions and words that will help maintain, defend or rebuild your reputation  

• Write sharply like a journalist to get your most important messages/statements heard in media/social media

• Interact with global media and other influencers during a crisis 

• Use social media intelligently to spread your ideas and story

• Influence the court of public opinion in your favor