PR With A Purpose-Damage Control-Are you prepared?
By E. Michelle Lee
Every organization should have a plan in place to handle public relations nightmares. Who’s going to talk? What will be said? How quickly did you resolve the issue? Those are questions that your business will have to answer during an unfavorable situation that could become public knowledge.
When disaster strikes, you want to be prepared to handle it. Imagine what you would do if you had finally succeeded and was the reason for many others success and then out of nowhere something from your past, twenty years ago, or so, was made for all to see; what would you do?
TIP: First: Designate one person to speak on behalf of the company. Second, prepare a press release sharing the problem and the action to resolve. Update the public with another press release after the resolve has been effective. Never cover the problem, embrace it openly to show good faith that you were unaware of the wrong and/or that you do not condone the wrong. Or simply, you made a mistake and remain to be the best representation of being human. Stand firm in your position; if you are too humble before the public it will open up public opinion to be your judge. Don’t allow a sensationalized news story to destroy you and your company.
E. Michelle Lee is a radio show host and advocate for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Sufferers. For more information contact her at (614) 306-3794 or Michelle@PRWithAPurpose.com. Visit us on the web www.PRWithAPurpose.com
