Crisis Communications – and why it’s NOT one size fits all

In the face of unexpected challenges, organizations must be prepared to weather the storm with a robust crisis communications plan.

At The Hodges Partnership, crisis communication is not a one-size-fits-all approach; instead, it is a tailored strategy designed to address the unique needs of each crisis and organization.

A tailored approach

At Hodges, we recognize that every organization is different, requiring a customized crisis communications plan. By immersing ourselves within the team that is dealing with the crisis, we quickly learn any nuances or unique pain points. That said, there is a similar approach we try to take to each unique situation:

• Addressing priority actions at the onset
• Outlining procedures and specific responsibilities for next steps to ensure a well-orchestrated response.

These priorities and procedures will look a little bit different for each situation – no two crises are the same.

The impact of digital

In today’s interconnected world, crises can quickly become amplified through digital media. This is when pre-crisis planning becomes essential, as there is no longer a buffer period before media, or the public receives information. The good news? Social media’s rapid dissemination can also be harnessed to share vital updates and control narratives effectively during a crisis.

Build a crisis plan BEFORE you need it

It’s ideal to develop a crisis plan when no active crisis is underway. Conducting scenario-based and media trainings ensures that leadership teams are well-versed in the plan and equipped to handle emergencies calmly and confidently. Preparedness prevents scrambling for responses during a crisis and empowers organizations to communicate effectively with stakeholders in a time of need.

While we don’t typically shout examples of our crisis work from the rooftops (it can be accompanied by non-disclosure agreements ensuring confidentially), what we can share is that we’ve helped clients in navigating employee and HR issues, mergers and acquisitions, cybersecurity breaches and other challenging situations.

We have a team of experts that is just a phone call away, and that’s usually how things unfold when it comes to a crisis. We get a call, and next thing you know we’re in the “situation room” with the client getting a download and making a plan.

Some crises last just a few days, some weeks, some months – but we’re proud of our ability to jump in for as long and as quickly as crisis communications expertise is needed.