While it is true that most crises can be predicted and therefore prevented, accidents happen and threats emerge. It's part and parcel of everyday life.

But losing your business shouldn't be part of the equation. However, that's what happened to more than 40 per cent of businesses affected when a terrorist bomb blasted through a commercial district of Manchester in the U.K.

So what can you do to minimise the damage should the health, welfare or safety of anyone involved in your business be at risk?

Preparation…

• Keep a watching brief on potential hot spots.
• Organise your internal and external lines of communication, linking your planning to action.
• Run through the plan with your team every six months, and look for opportunities to rehearse it.

Once trouble hits …
There is no one right course of action. However, confronted by media in a crisis situation, we guarantee you will find yourself: trying to gain time; trying to gather information; and trying to provide regular media briefings. A tall order in the midst of a crisis situation.

No business continuity or crisis plan can survive without seamless communications. At the very least, we recommend clients regularly update their crisis communications plans and contact numbers.

If you doubt it's worth all the effort, ask yourself: 'If trouble hit my company in the next five minutes, how prepared would we be?' Then bring in an adviser to help get the crisis communications plan out of your 'to do' basket and into action.

Self Assessment

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For an introductory consultation or a crisis management audit, contact ...

Frances Phillips
ConnaughtCOMMUNICATIONS