Think beyond the short term when it’s crisis management time
It’s a very common crisis management mistake – you see an issue, think of a quick solution, and POOF, it’s fixed in the fastest way possible. Problem is, a “quick fix” has a strong chance of becoming a damper on the long haul.
In a recent Fast Company article, Mark Mcneilly had this to say about the dangers of short-term thinking:
Don’t allow short-term thinking to destroy the long-term value of the brand and the business
In the midst of the emotion and confusion of a crisis it is often easy to take steps one will regret later. Therefore, it’s essential, before any major decisions are made or statements released, to think about the long-term impact on your brand and your organization. Think not only about the organization but, more importantly, about your customers, your stakeholders (employees, investors, suppliers) and society in general. How does what has happened and what the organization plans to do or say affect them? How will they react? If you think beyond just your own firm it will lead to a better outcome than thinking solely about the company.
Let’s look at an example of a typical small business. Say you’re part owner and operator of a neighborhood convenience store that’s had troublemakers showing up after dark to shoplift or bother customers. The knee-jerk reaction might be to close earlier, but what about your customers that work late and rely on you for check cashing and household essentials? Can you afford the lost revenue? Will your partner(s) agree with the decision? We could go on, but the point is clear. Before you make a rash crisis management decision, think about its impact not only immediately, but also as you move into the future, and your organization will be stronger for it.
The BCM Blogging Team
https://www.bernsteincrisismanagement.com/