Moving forward with another concern folks brought up during my presentations at the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM) Conference last month - crisis communication. No one wants to do it, but someone must do it – I’m talking about messaging during a crisis- across all platforms. This isn’t standing in front of a few microphones during a press conference anymore, but social media has evolved and become involved in our everyday messaging and our ability to use it consistently all the time – especially during a crisis.
Are you prepared? Can you follow the simple 3 Ds of messaging? (Yes, they work especially in a crisis)
· Development
· Discipline
· Delivery
Does the person communicating to people internally/externally have the right training to develop the message, have the discipline to stay on message, and deliver that message appropriately and consistently?
These three points are basics to begin a path to a communication plan, and a plan to help during a crisis. Crisis communications, or being prepared to talk to people during a time of duress, does take some special training, skill, and constant sharpening of those skills.
I once had the opportunity to see the godfather of crisis communications speak, Jim Lukaszewski (Luke-a-chef-ski). Anyone who teaches anything about crisis communications has studied Jim’s proven methods and his proven results with Fortune 500 companies.
Crisis communication boils down to the main points he makes, “pre-emption, prevention, readiness, response, and recovery,” which works from something very minor, where a small number of people are affected, to a large, full-scale crisis; national media knocking on your door with 15 microphones; not your local one or two tv stations.
Are you prepared? Don’t wait until something happens to scramble and lose credibility and trust within your community, or with other agencies you may represent or partner with. Your Town Media Training has a legitimate background in crisis management with several scenarios, and with our expertise in front of, and behind the camera – we’re your go-to training place for daily events that may arise or not-so-common situations.
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