Ono the OstrichCRISIS MANAGER
The Internet Newsletter about Crisis Management
 Editor: Erik Bernstein
 Publisher: Jonathan Bernstein

"For Those Who Are Crisis Managers,
Whether They Want to be or Not"

ISSN:1528-3836
© 2011 Jonathan Bernstein

 

Volume XII, Number 11

November 14, 2011  


JUST A THOUGHT 

 

Loose cannons hurt those they're trying to protect more often than they hurt their "enemies."

 

                           Jonathan Bernstein   

                                


FROM THE EDITOR  

  

 

The Penn State scandal has completely taken over the news cycle as fallout from what is being revealed to be an incredibly far-reaching coverup continues to hold national attention. While normally it's not advisable to fire numerous employees as a result of a crisis, it's become apparent that knowledge of the incidents reached all the way up to school leadership and decision makers. As a parent there is no way I would let my child choose that school with the current leadership, nor would anyone in their right mind be making the major donations that schools like Penn State are used to receiving. In my opinion, it's time to let the heads roll.

If the university truly wants to repair its image, it needs to prove to the public that not only is it deeply opposed to what went on, but also that the appropriate people have been punished and there are programs and committed people in place to protect our children.

Have questions about this situation, or anything else crisis management or PR related? We still want to hear from you on VYou, so head on over!

As per our new format, below you'll find a summary of the best of our recent blog posts.

And as always, if you like what you see, please share it with others by using the "Forward Email" link at the bottom of the ezine and tell them to subscribe!  IMPORTANT NOTE: If you just "Forward" using your own email program's "Forward" function and your recipient thinks they're being spammed, they can click on the Opt Out link and opt YOU off the list. So use the "Forward Email" link, please. 

 


BCM

 

Thank you, and read on!

 

          - Erik

 

  

BLOGS!
By Erik Bernstein

We've got new posts for you at both the Bernstein Crisis Management blog and our Crisis Management blog over at Carter McNamara's Free Management Library. This batch covers everything from reputation management, to the Penn State scandal, to the latest hack attack.

The Shape of Crisis Communications is changing and some think it results in too much isolation, but as this piece about the Wall Street protests demonstrates, sometimes online communications can actually help bring people together in person.

Your reputation is one of your most valuable assets, and thanks in part to the rise of the E-Reporter and social media, it's never been easier to trash it. Get ready to Protect Your Rep!

At some point, every business encounters a bit of bad publicity. Thing is, with the wrong reaction, "a bit" can turn into front page news. Learn how you can Turn Bad Publicity Around, before it gets out of control.
Erik Bernstein
Erik Bernstein

Bo Bounds, host of ESPN radio show "Out of Bounds" interviewed Jonathan Bernstein on his thoughts regarding Penn State's Crisis Management Mistakes in the wake of the massive scandal.

Computer hacking isn't going away. In fact, with the subject drawing media attention, the attacks continue to get bolder and more sophisticated. Hack Attack Hits Steam explains what happened to Valve's gaming platform, and why it won't halt business as usual at the company.

While some crises are inevitable, repeating them is not. Learning from Crisis is one of the best ways to not only strengthen your organization, but also to bolster stakeholder's trust.

It's crucial to get the right message across, especially in crisis situations. This guest article features some solid advice from PR pro Jerry Brown that should help you do just that - when you're saying something important, Simplify and Repeat.

Reputation Combat is real. Every time you help a customer, respond to Twitter questions, or host a new Facebook contest, you're in the trenches. Build it up because, when a crisis hits, you'll need every bit.

The USAJobs Controversy has been nothing but an embarrassment to the government. It's also proof that if you insist on representing yourself in the court of public opinion, without expert help, you get less than professional results.

And, if you don't Have a Plan for every crisis you can think of, your organization is in serious danger. Analyze the risks, create solutions for the possibilities, then practice, practice, practice.

Erik Bernstein is a freelance writer, BCM SEO associate, and editor of Crisis Manager.

APROPOS OF NOTHING

Reputation Combat: Protecting Your Company's Online Reputation

 

Jonathan Bernstein will be hosting a free webinar, "Reputation Combat: Protecting Your Company's Online Reputation," on Tuesday, December 13. Intended to teach ways to monitor, prevent, and respond to the very real threats that exist, this event is a must-see for anyone responsible for their organization's reputation. 

 

Got crisis management questions? We've got answers!  

 

We cordially invite you, the Crisis Manager readers, to "Ask the Crisis Manager" on VYou. You send a question, and Jonathan Bernstein comes back with a unique video response for all to see.

 

We've had some great questions so far, and will keep doing our best to answer all submissions, so keep 'em coming! 


BUSINESS ANNOUNCEMENTS
(aka blatant self-promotion) 

 

 

Manager's Guide to Crisis Management

 

MgrsGuideCover

Whether you're a seasoned manager, aspiring up-and-comer, or student of crisis management, Jonathan Bernstein's new book, "Manager's Guide to Crisis Management," (McGraw-Hill, 2011) will put you in control of any situation. Recently featured in a Forbes article, Amazon.com's initial stock ran out quickly, but more copies are on the way!   

 

 

 

Keeping the Wolves at Bay: Media Training 

 

Book Cover JPG

What has 80+ pages of hard-hitting, enter-

taining and easy-to-read guidance on how to deal with both traditional and online media during times of crisis?  The answer is 

Keeping the Wolves at Bay - Media Training. 

The, four-color, perfect-bound, 8x10 manual is currently available both in hardcopy ($25) and PDF form ($10). Volume discounts are available; write to Jonathan Bernstein for that information.  

Here's a couple of teaser reviews for you:

 

Jonathan Bernstein's Keeping the Wolves at Bay is an eminently practical guidance for anyone - business leader, celebrity, politician - who must willingly or unwillingly face the glare of media attention. It appears
at a moment in time when the social media and other digital communications have upped the ante exponentially.
Bernstein's practicum on media relations takes on renewed urgency as news, gossip, and opinion now drive
public perception virally and at the speed of light.

 
Richard Levick, Esq.
President & CEO
Levick Strategic Communications, LLC

 
Even if you think you'll never, ever be interviewed by the media, buy this book and read it cover to cover. It isn't a substitute for media training. But it will give you the tools and confidence to go head to head -- and possibly even defang -- rabid reporters, blood-thirsty bloggers and social networking buffoons who are out to besmirch your good name.

Joan Stewart, The Publicity Hound 

 

Want To Blog And Tweet About

Your Organization But Don't Have Time? 


Missing out on all the promotional and SEO advantages of doing so? Hire someone to be your voice...like Erik Bernstein, editor of Crisis Manager.

 

More info:erik@bernsteincrisismanagement.com.

 


GUEST AUTHORS

GUEST AUTHORS are very welcome to submit material for "Crisis Manager." There is no fee paid, but most guest authors have reported receiving business inquiries as a result of appearing in this publication. Case histories, experience-based lessons, commentary on current news events and editorial opinion are all eligible for consideration. Submission is not a guarantee of acceptance.



ABOUT THE PUBLISHER AND EDITOR


JB NewErik Bernstein

Jonathan Bernstein is both publisher of Crisis Manager and president of Bernstein Crisis Management, Inc., a national crisis management public relations agency providing 24/7 access to crisis response professionals. The agency engages in the full spectrum of crisis management services: crisis prevention, response, planning & training. He has been in the public relations field since 1982, following five-year stints in both military intelligence and investigative reporting.

Write to Jonathan at: jonathan@bernsteincrisismanagement.com.

Erik Bernstein is editor of Crisis Manager and is also a writer, publicist and SEO associate for Bernstein Crisis Management, Inc.

Write to Erik at: erik@bernsteincrisismanagement.com.

 


LEGAL DISCLAIMER

All information contained herein is obtained by Jonathan Bernstein from sources believed by Jonathan Bernstein to be accurate and reliable.

Because of the possibility of human and mechanical error as well as other factors, neither Jonathan 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.


In This Issue
Just A Thought
Blogs!
Apropos of Nothing
Quick Links
Contact

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