Effective crisis management is a function of preparedness and experience. ICR brings comprehensive experience to risk assessment, planning, and preparation for a wide range of contingencies, and we provide expert counsel as events unfold.
Our approach begins with an in-depth vulnerability assessment to determine potential scenarios. We develop contingency plans with a comprehensive suite of communications materials for each potentiality. We help companies establish crisis teams and develop internal processes and protocols—before they are needed. We then create realistic scenarios and run simulations to identify the strengths and weaknesses in a company’s internal systems. And when a crisis does occur, we work hand-in-hand with senior management to define, develop, and deliver communications that meet the needs of all key stakeholders.
A crisis can be catastrophic to any corporate reputation. But a smart, proactive response can turn it to your favor. A company that can withstand the inevitable slings and arrows of the modern world will be well-respected and highly valued.
Crisis Planning
A company’s ability to minimize the reputational and financial impact of a crisis is directly correlated to the speed and quality of its response. Rapid response is impossible, however, without effective pre-crisis planning. ICR helps companies anticipate and plan for negative events to ensure the organization is ready to respond—and to respond quickly. Our crisis planning services include:
- Vulnerability Assessments - ICR conducts comprehensive reviews of past crisis situations, as well
as peer and industry incidents to identify issues that could negatively
impact a company’s viability or reputation. We then create scenario
plans for each category, capturing implications, severity, affected
stakeholders, plus recommended responses and communications materials
in advance of the potential crisis event.
- Crisis Plan Development - ICR works closely with key executives to gather essential information
on a company’s internal processes, procedures, and reporting lines,
with its existing communications resources, to develop a comprehensive
crisis response plan. The plan incorporates existing corporate content
in addition to customized checklists, policies, communications templates
and other resources that enable rapid, effective crisis response.
Web-Based Crisis Portal
ICR has developed a proprietary, Web-based portal application that provides immediate, shared access to the crisis plan, and the tools needed to respond quickly and effectively to a crisis situation. Accessible through a company’s Intranet, the customizable portal is a real-time window into the response, and ultimately the resolution, of a crisis.
Crisis Simulations and Media Training
ICR develops scenario-specific training exercises to test a company’s crisis response procedures in real-time. Each simulation includes a follow-up review, recommendations for improvement, and crisis-oriented media training to prepare spokespeople for an actual event.
Crisis Response
When a crisis does occur, ICR works hand-in-hand with senior management to respond to emergent events, helping develop and execute a strategic communications program that addresses the needs of all stakeholders, minimizes the reputational and financial impact, and positions the company for post-crisis recovery.
We have helped clients successfully navigate crises such as physical events, product tampering and recall, data breaches, all types of litigation, CEO departures, interest group protests, workplace violence, fraud, and numerous other situations. While each event is unique, our experience and systematic approach has proven highly effective in maintaining or restoring corporate reputation and trust.