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
© 2012 Jonathan Bernstein

 

Volume XIII, Number 4

February 27, 2012   


JUST A THOUGHT 

 

Everyone is in the jury pool for the court of public opinion.

 

                           Jonathan Bernstein   

                                

OUR FIRST POLL

We're going to start featuring polls in the ezine that we think will be of interest to readers, and then publish the results of previous polls in subsequent issues.  If you have suggestions for polls, please send them to erik@bernsteincrisismanagement.com or simply reply to this email.
 
Today's poll, which you access by clicking the following link, is:
 
 

FROM THE EDITOR  

  

 

 
Slowly but surely, the crisis management principles we've been espousing for years are trickling down into even the stodgiest of organizations.

Evidence: Texas Christian University's handling of the arrest of 15 students in an undercover police drug sting last week. It wasn't long ago that the incident, which included the arrest of four football players, would have been hushed up and swept under the rug. Instead, university officials embraced transparency, scheduling a no-nonsense press conference and notifications that went out to all faculty and students.

TCU had to know that their football coach, Garry Patterson, was a prime target for reporters seeking a juicy angle on the story and prepared for that as well, making a wise move in not allowing him to answer questions live, but instead issue an emotional, but controlled, statement.

Solid, aggressive crisis management from an unexpected source. Well done TCU!

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

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

Whether it's the cause of, or solution to, crises, the topic of social media continues to dominate our blogs. If you're the one the front office runs to when things heat up, we've got info you can use.

Here's a rundown of recent posts at the Bernstein Crisis Management blog and our Crisis Management blog over at Carter McNamara's Free Management Library!

It's brutally simple, if people can't trust you and your organization, you will not be successful. If your reputation is slumping, you have to Improve Your Credibility, and fast!

When it's reputation management time, a pair of Loose Lips is the last thing you want on your side. Check out this "what not to do" example from House Majority Leader Eric Cantor's camp.
Erik Bernstein
Erik Bernstein

Some of the most brilliant PR campaigns have risen from the crisis management of companies that were taking serious heat from the public. What To Do When People Hate You offers up a strategy suggestion to the most hated companies in America.

Social Media Preparedness is the name of the game in 2012. Businesses large and small acknowledge that there's a need, but a shocking number still aren't prepared to take action in the event of a crisis. Don't #fail, get your plans together, and be prepared!

Recent research proves that the vast majority of consumers search the Web before making purchases. This means that any negative experiences your customers vent about will have an impact on future customers. How do you prevent this? Social Media and You has the answer.

Finally, in this guest article, Lisa Lochridge, Director of Public Affairs for the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, offers up 10 Ways to Ruin Your Company's Communications Efforts, along with some solid commentary on why they're the wrong moves to make.

Erik Bernstein is a freelance writer, editor of Crisis Manager, and Social Media Manager for Bernstein Crisis Management
APROPOS OF NOTHING

Communicating in Crisis: The First 24 Hours 

 

On March 1, Jonathan Bernstein will be teaming up with Communitelligence to present an in-depth webinar focused on what to do when a crisis breaks and things get ugly.  

 

Touching on issues including crisis communications mistakes, how to properly plan for and initiate a crisis response, speaking to stakeholders, and more, this is a must for business leaders and crisis managers alike.

 

As a thank you to our readers, we'd like to offer you 20% off, just use code "bernsteincrisis" when you register.  

 

The Best Response 

 

What's the top way to avoid negative attitudes towards your organization during a crisis? Take a look at Erik's recent Ragan.com article, "The Best Response to Give During Any Crisis." 

 

Crisis Management Database - from Jonathan Bernstein

 

If you are a crisis management professional or work in a related field -- e.g., media training, business continuity -- write to me for information on how to be part of my new Crisis Management Database.

 

Jonathan's Latest Online Finds

 

TaskRabbit gets you in touch with friendly, reliable people who can help you get just about anything you need done, and put some free time back into your life.  I have already hired two of their rabbits -- one to haul some hazardous waste to a dump, the other to help me properly light a room when using a webcam -- and been quite pleased. And if you are currently underemployed and want to earn some extra cash, sign up to be one of their contractors.

 

The funniest email greetings I have ever seen can be found at JibJab.

 

If you'd like to "Do An Obama Presentation" and use a teleprompter while, say, recording a video message for your website, try the free CuePrompter service.

 

 


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. Reviews at Amazon (the link above) are stellar, and McGraw-Hill reports they are pleased with sales-to-date. 

 

 

 

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 Social Media Manager 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
Poll
Blogs!
Apropos of Nothing
Quick Links
Contact

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