Discussing what you CAN control as the COVID-19 coronavirus concerns continue to grow.
Sharing this month's most popular content and crisis management insights you won't want to miss out on.
Volume XXI | March 16, 2020
Just a Thought...
"Those who trust to chance must abide by the results of chance."
— Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States
From the Editor
Coronavirus: What You CAN Control
Let's face it, we're all a little worried. While pandemics aren't new, the rapid spread and global impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus has already changed the way we live and work before it's even peaked. Adding to the worry in this type of situation are the many, many factors that are out of our control, and while it's okay, or even healthy, to have a bit of worry, becoming so overwhelmed you decide it's time to bury your head in the sand isn't going to help you or your business get through tough times.
In situations like this I'm reminded of a phrase that seems to have an application in every area of life...
"Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference."
Yes, many factors are out of our control right now. Yes, your workforce will be impacted. So will your customers, investors, business partners, and local communities. But it's not all out of your control.
What CAN you control here?
How about being prepared with operational plans? Things will get hairy, but sun will also rise tomorrow. Planning to deal with coronavirus-related hurdles now will help ensure your doors stay open after the fact. If you don't have a crisis plan that includes considerations for pandemics you need one, now.
How about knowing what you'll say during the predictable next stages of the crisis? You know everyone is spooked, you know everyone is hesitant to engage, so help them feel more confident. Educate stakeholders as to how you're protecting their safety, how you're going to continue to deliver goods or services, and how your employees can keep doing their jobs.
How about reinforcing your own credibility? We're seeing many big brands releasing statements that reinforce the sense of them having what we call the 3 C's of Credibility - compassion, confidence, and competence. That's a good thing, and you should do it too. With confidence shaken among all audiences, including your own staff, it's critical that every message, and every action, reminds people that you care about them, you're certain you're doing the right thing, and you're doing it well.
You know what the number one way to reduce that feeling of helplessness, of being overwhelmed, is? Being ready. After all, winging it has never been a valid crisis management plan, and it certainly isn't here.
We've been working with clients across North America for several weeks reinforcing their preparedness efforts and ensuring critical communications are ready to go. If you need a helping hand, get in touch. My team is prepared, they're some of the best in the business, and they're ready bring bring decades of experience to bear for the benefit of your brand.
What Does It Take to Be a Crisis Management Consultant?
What are some of the key traits you need to develop if you want to succeed in the world of crisis management consultant?
In this post Jonathan Bernstein shares insight on five of the core skills that have enabled him to navigate the fast-moving world of crisis management for over 30 years. [Read More]
Freakout Crisis Management: The Wrong Way to Respond to COVID-19
Freaking out is not a crisis management plan, so why are there so many headless chickens running amok as the coronavirus spreads?
More than anything, this post serves as a reminder that while there are certainly reasons to be scared, there are zero reasons to not be adequately prepared. [Read More]
Want to Learn More About Crisis Management Services? Our Experts Are Ready To Help
We offer a free no-obligation consultation to anyone who would like to discuss their needs or learn more about how BCM's four phases of crisis management - planning, training, simulation and response - can better protect their organization in a world where the outrage machine makes headlines every day.
Bernstein Crisis Management is a specialized firm dedicated, since January 1994, to providing rapid, highly effective strategies for preventing and managing crisis situations that harm people, property, business continuity, reputation and the financial bottom line. We guide our clients through every step of the crisis management process, from preparation to response, and are available 24/7 for assistance. Our more than 30 years of experience assisting clients worldwide makes us an absolute authority on preventing and responding to crisis situations.
Unlike most public relations firms that only offer crisis management as a side practice, we’re specialists.
By exclusively focusing on the full spectrum of services needed to prevent and/or mitigate crisis situations, we set ourselves apart from the competition. Company founder Jonathan Bernstein started the first international email newsletter on the topic of crisis management, which now reaches readers in 75 countries, and his article, “The 10 Steps of Crisis Communications” has received some 400,000 mentions online and has been reprinted in more than 20 languages. Our experts are also regular sources for popular media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Entrepreneur, CNN, BBC and CGTN, and have been published in hundreds of articles.
To meet the Bernstein Crisis Management team, click here.
All information contained herein is obtained from sources believed to be accurate and reliable.
Because of the possibility of human and mechanical error as well as other factors, neither Jonathan Bernstein nor Erik Bernstein nor Bernstein Crisis Management is responsible for any errors or omissions. All information is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Bernstein Crisis Management and Jonathan Bernstein and Erik Bernstein make no representations and disclaim all express, implied, and statutory warranties of any kind to the user and/or any third party including, without limitation, warranties as to accuracy, timeliness, completeness, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose.
Unless due to willful tortuous misconduct or gross negligence, Jonathan Bernstein and Erik Bernstein and Bernstein Crisis Management shall have no liability in tort, contract, or otherwise (and as permitted by law, product liability), to the user and/or any third party.
Under no circumstance shall Bernstein Crisis Management or Jonathan Bernstein or Erik Bernstein be liable to the user and/or any third party for any lost profits or lost opportunity, indirect, special, consequential, incidental, or punitive damages whatsoever, even if Bernstein Crisis Management or Jonathan Bernstein or Erik Bernstein has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
A service of this newsletter is to provide news summaries and/or snippets to readers. In such instances articles and/or snippets will be reprinted as they are received from the originating party or as they are displayed on the originating website or in the original article. As we do not write the news, we merely point readers to it, under no circumstance shall Bernstein Crisis Management or Jonathan Bernstein or Erik Bernstein be liable to the user and/or any third party for any lost profits or lost opportunity, indirect, special, consequential, incidental, or punitive damages whatsoever due to the distribution of said news articles or snippets that lead readers to a full article on a news service's website, even if Bernstein Crisis Management or Jonathan Bernstein or Erik Bernstein has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Authors of the original news story and their publications shall be exclusively held liable. Any corrections to news stories are not mandatory and shall be printed at the discretion of the list moderator after evaluation on a case-by-case basis.
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