I have summarized some of the key ideas and points from this weeks reading that i believe will really help my group extensively, as our plan is "Crisis Management"
I have also placed a copy of this on our groups blog page
Crisis and Issues Management…
Crises can occur at different levels. For organizations they may be te sudden events that disrupt normal business while at the same time focusing considerable attention on them from the media and other important publics.
They can range from a factory closure or a strike, allegation of corporate misconduct,- which draws the attention of regulatory bodies and affects share prices-, a fire or natural disaster, or an allegation of sexual misconduct or harassment.
Terrorism has emerged as one of the greatest potential causes of crisis for organization, governments, industries and individuals. While not new, the scale and reach is now greater the it has ever been, making this a truly global threat.
Tourism in particular has been affected at all levels, from increase security (with the associated costs for travellers) on airlines to diplomatic conflicts over the issuing of travel warnings around the world. Movement internationally has become more restricted, which has had a negative flow-on effect for business and trade.
Examples of a Crisis
* Takeover bid
* Product tampering
* Flood, fire, storm or drought
* Faulty Product
* Challenges or changes to leadership
* Industrial disputes
* Terrorist Act
Crisis Management begins with Public Relations practitioners looking months or years ahead to predict what can go wrong with an organization to cause damage to its reputation… Managers and policy-makers need to be alerted to possible crisis scenarios and their consequences.
Recognizing a crisis
It is a well known fact in the Public Relations life that a few minutes after something goes BANG- metaphorically or actually- the new media will be there. In som circumstances they will even be there first.
Almost immediately in the case of radio and TV, or the next morning in the case of newspapers, the whole world hears, sees or reads a glaring representation of what is going on in the afflicted organization.
The public relations practitioners need to be mostly concerned with the publics. Bother internal and external, it is important to predict what they are going to think, feel and consequently do in these circumstances.
Planning for a crisis
Principles of crisis preparation
• Ensure that the organisation’s practices are legally compliant.
• Brainstorm, or carry out a risk audit
• Build a trust bank- strong on going media and public relatons programs
• Create a crisis management team (besides the PR team these should include senior management and people who know the organization inside out and can give good direction)
• Designate a crisis control centre
• Create a procedure/ protocols
• Practise, practise, practise
• Team up with other organizations- coordinate drills with other local organizations or emergency services
• Designate a spokes person/ people
• Keep the CEO in reserve- best to appoint a spokesman other then the CEO to keep him/her available for any special announcements.
• Ensure adequate media training- all spokes people should have training and regular refresher courses on giving television and radio interviews.
Crisis management tactics
• Publicity
• Newsletters
• Direct mail
• Advertising
• Corporate publications
• Functions
• Speaking opportunities
• Internet sites
• Information kits
• Media relations
• Brochures
• Videos
• Lobbying
• Meetings
Media Management in a crisis
Principles to guide the spokesperson
• Candid information given promptly will emphasis the organsations integrity and ethical standards
• It is legitimate to withhold some information, such as names of diseased persons or information that may be prejudice in a court case
• News is news only for a very short period. It is vital t respond to journalists queries as fast as possible. Volunteer relevant, news worthy information as is comes to light.
• Spokes people should not speculate if the facts are not available
• The spokes person should not say anything “off the record”
• All journalists’ phone queries to the spokesperson should be taken by assistants and carefully logged, showing who asked what questions. The spokesperson must phone the journo back soon after the call is made. This removes the requirement for the spokesperson to think on their feet.
The advice of the chief public relations person to the management group about what should be said and how it should be said may be crucial.
Terrorism and Crisis planning
A lesson to be learnt from September 11 was the degree to which the government resources and private organizations may need to work together and what crises may occur well after the initial attack. The coffee chain Starbucks found itself in the middle of such a crisis, hn , some weeks after September 11, it emerged that one of its outlets had charged fireman for bottles of drinking water…. Increasingly, the crisis itself was provoked by Starbucks’ denial that this could have happened.
The ripple effect of major crisis’ cannot be underestimated.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Week 5 Readings- Internal and Community Relations
Internal Public Relations
Who are internal Publics?
Internal Publics comprise of two main groups: an organisations employees, and an associations members.
Employee publics refer to the Chairman right through to the junior, the full-time through to the casuals and volunteers.
Association members usually join the association out of a special or professional interest.
How will this help my group?
This information is essential to my groups plan, as we are considering "issues/ crisis" management within the Wine Country organisation, it is important that our plan considers its internal publics.
Wine Country Tourism has not only employees to consider the interests of but also an extensive list of business members in the area...
Communicating effectively to both these publics, especially in a time of crisis is essential to our plan.
I believe the key messages in this reading is the idea that perhaps the internal publics are more important then any other. It is essential to keep them happy in order to keep the business/ organisation successful.
The reading make me think more about public relations theory and practice in that they have helped me to consider aspects of PR that i may have over looked or not felt necessary in regards to out groups work!!
Who are internal Publics?
Internal Publics comprise of two main groups: an organisations employees, and an associations members.
Employee publics refer to the Chairman right through to the junior, the full-time through to the casuals and volunteers.
Association members usually join the association out of a special or professional interest.
How will this help my group?
This information is essential to my groups plan, as we are considering "issues/ crisis" management within the Wine Country organisation, it is important that our plan considers its internal publics.
Wine Country Tourism has not only employees to consider the interests of but also an extensive list of business members in the area...
Communicating effectively to both these publics, especially in a time of crisis is essential to our plan.
I believe the key messages in this reading is the idea that perhaps the internal publics are more important then any other. It is essential to keep them happy in order to keep the business/ organisation successful.
The reading make me think more about public relations theory and practice in that they have helped me to consider aspects of PR that i may have over looked or not felt necessary in regards to out groups work!!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Week 4 Readings
Struggle for Credibility... Media Relations... Greenpeace
Effective media relations is the essential criteria for correctly communication with multiple stakeholders, promoting the organisations profile, and gaining credible publicity at minimal cost.
The primary motivation for any organisation seeking media attention is the desire to capture the attention of large and widely dispersed audiences.
I believe the main ideas behind this reading include the understanding of where and why media relations exists and how it has become such a pivital part of any Public Relations movement/campaign/etc.
The case study on Greenpeace discusses the predicament the organisations media and PR team face day-to-day in that attracting media attention through dramatic protests risks jeopardising its credible reputation.
I believe these ideas can assist my groups work in that they help us with an understanding of the problems individual organisations can face when dealing with the media... we must remember that, although they say 'there is no such thing as bad press', in Greenpeaces situation, careful precautions need to be taken to avoid any negetive views that could jeopardise there mission/aims/goals etc.
"gaining attention in the public media arena involves infusing story with either news or entertainment values and, thereby, making the story or idea attractive to media producers" (Hallahan)
Effective media relations is the essential criteria for correctly communication with multiple stakeholders, promoting the organisations profile, and gaining credible publicity at minimal cost.
The primary motivation for any organisation seeking media attention is the desire to capture the attention of large and widely dispersed audiences.
I believe the main ideas behind this reading include the understanding of where and why media relations exists and how it has become such a pivital part of any Public Relations movement/campaign/etc.
The case study on Greenpeace discusses the predicament the organisations media and PR team face day-to-day in that attracting media attention through dramatic protests risks jeopardising its credible reputation.
I believe these ideas can assist my groups work in that they help us with an understanding of the problems individual organisations can face when dealing with the media... we must remember that, although they say 'there is no such thing as bad press', in Greenpeaces situation, careful precautions need to be taken to avoid any negetive views that could jeopardise there mission/aims/goals etc.
"gaining attention in the public media arena involves infusing story with either news or entertainment values and, thereby, making the story or idea attractive to media producers" (Hallahan)
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Research Analysis Week 3 Readings
I believe that the key messages in this reading where that Research and analysis of the research is an important part of all aspect of Public Relations...
No plan can be properly executed without the sufficient use research.
All companies should allow for research in the allocation of their PR budget as it can save them money in the long run.
The online tutorial showing us how to correctly research using the internet was effective and useful, though perhaps a little drawn out... maybe more suitabe to first year students.
The key points in the readings could be applied to my groups work in that they will allow us the knowledge and tools to correctly research our defined areas with doubling up or wasting time with pointless information. It gives us a clear guideline as to what is expected and helps us further along in our project.
The readings made me think more about PR theory and Practice in that they make you realise there is more to a PR role then simply executing a plan or strategy. First you need to know that the plan/strategy is correctly targeting the required audience/demographic so that your outcomes are met and you know you wont be wasting time/effort/money... research has to be involved!
No plan can be properly executed without the sufficient use research.
All companies should allow for research in the allocation of their PR budget as it can save them money in the long run.
The online tutorial showing us how to correctly research using the internet was effective and useful, though perhaps a little drawn out... maybe more suitabe to first year students.
The key points in the readings could be applied to my groups work in that they will allow us the knowledge and tools to correctly research our defined areas with doubling up or wasting time with pointless information. It gives us a clear guideline as to what is expected and helps us further along in our project.
The readings made me think more about PR theory and Practice in that they make you realise there is more to a PR role then simply executing a plan or strategy. First you need to know that the plan/strategy is correctly targeting the required audience/demographic so that your outcomes are met and you know you wont be wasting time/effort/money... research has to be involved!
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Week 2 Readings
I believe the key messages from this week’s readings were 'understanding group work', 'having the ability to work with others', 'patience with others', ' evenly distributing work so that no member is disadvantaged/advanaged' and ' treating members with respect'.
The key points in the readings could be applied to my group’s work in that they will help us adapt to working together and will start us heading in the right track immediately without wasting time.
The readings made me think more about public relations theory/practice in that strategy, planning and scheduling is a major part of PR and that no plan can be put in to action with out these three things. this will also help us with our group work in the begining so that nothing is missed and that we have a plan of attack for every step along the way.
The key points in the readings could be applied to my group’s work in that they will help us adapt to working together and will start us heading in the right track immediately without wasting time.
The readings made me think more about public relations theory/practice in that strategy, planning and scheduling is a major part of PR and that no plan can be put in to action with out these three things. this will also help us with our group work in the begining so that nothing is missed and that we have a plan of attack for every step along the way.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)