“Gard Talks” is an informative video series designed to share our expertise and experience with audiences. In this session, Vice President Scott Gallagher discusses crisis communications, focusing on strategies for approaching a crisis, responding effectively during an event and taking action afterward.
What is a crisis, and why is it important to have a plan? There are all kinds of situations that can be deemed crises, and they can vary depending on the organization. You never truly know when you’ll need a crisis communications plan, but you’ll be glad you have one when the time comes.
A crisis communications plan could include what you do in case of an emergency, how you communicate a crisis and what steps should be taken if something were to happen. Organizations can get started on a communications plan by beginning conversations with leadership and talking about the what-ifs to figure out what elements should be included.
Training for crisis response is also important. When you train, it helps employees remain calm, familiarize themselves with procedures and improve the outcome of a crisis. Additionally, onboarding new employees with crisis communications allows you to teach them the materials and train them continuously to build their confidence and consistency.