Let’s face it, tackling a crisis situation is not only daunting, it can be downright scary. Nothing gets the blood pumping like a social media issue going viral, or the local TV station calling for “your response” on an employee’s blunder.
Crime situation? Alleged product tampering? Food-borne illness? Employee outburst caught on video? What about a poor sanitation rating or recordable safety violation?
If there are people involved, human error will happen. Your solution? Take three key steps to lessen the shock value.
- Does your company have a crisis/issues action plan? If the answer is no, get one. Don’t know where to start? Meet with your leadership team to discuss the top three to five recurring issues that your organization faces.
- Do you have a crisis team? Even if you don’t call them a “crisis team,” who in your company is consistently involved when a crisis or issue hits? Hint: If it’s you alone, as the business owner, that needs to change. And fast.
- Is your company’s mission, values, and messaging shared by everyone on your team? This question might seem out of place compared to the first two, but it’s essential that your employees share consistent messaging and live and breathe your core values. And it needs to start on the front lines – who’s answering your phones?
If you’re 0 for 3 on the questions above, don’t get spooked or discouraged – get empowered to get started.