Crisis communication:

CRISIS REVEALS THE CORE. THE LATTER HAS THE POWER TO OVERCOME THE FORMER.

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Our clients:

A crisis situation is always perceived subjectively. Empathy, experience and determined advice are critical to success.

When we are mandated in crisis situations, we get to know our clients in a particularly demanding situation. It is essential to realise that a crisis situation is always perceived subjectively. In other words: it is of no importance whether we have already experienced cases in counselling which seemed comparatively ‘worse’. Instead, it is always crucial to understand the particular situation, identify the individual risk potential and discuss possible scenarios realistically. The dimensions of a crisis are usually defined by the extent to which it attacks or is capable of shaking the identity of the company or organisation.

Our task:

First step: Supporting the client to be the formative protagonist of their own situtation.

A communication crisis can be triggered in many different ways. Economic difficulties, the threat of insolvency, a cyber attack, a product issue, a compliance situation, transgressions by employees – we have already seen a lot. The very first step is to ensure that the client is able to communicate in order to maintain or regain the frequently invoked interpretational sovereignty. This is the essence of our task: in a crisis situation, our aim is to always and as quickly as possible use suitable measures which turn our clients into formative, active and authentic protagonists in their situation. A shared understanding of the objective and absolute speed are crucial.

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Our way:

Ready to operate within 24 hours. Based on mutual trust.

In the initial phase, our approach to a crisis remains the same. The first meeting determines whether mutual trust can be established: our client needs to have confidence in our experience, expertise and ability to perform. The same holds true for the openness and transparency of our clients. Once this foundation has been established, we follow a clear procedure and are usually ready for action within 24 hours:

  • We gain an overview of all stakeholders affected by the crisis, assessing if they will react critically, neutrally or constructively.
  • We develop a basic argumentation as a foundation for all further internal or public communication measures.
  • We develop possible scenarios, consider them together with our client and derive options for action.
  • We implement every measure we recommend.
  • We support our clients until the crisis is over.
  • We are then ready to discuss ‘lessons learned’ and take preventive action regarding possible future challenges.

The earlier a critical situation is recognised, the greater the scope for action.

We have extensive experience in working closely with lawyers and consultants.

Warren Buffet

"It takes 20 years to build a reputation. And 5 Minutes to ruin it.“