The media loves a crisis – but how well prepared are you?
At some point in the life of every organisation, you will have to deal with a bad news story or a crisis - from poor performance or sales, sackings and resignations and human errors, to more serious scandal, natural disaster and tragedy. With increased media scrutiny and public accountability and the development of sophisticated, informed customers, no organisation can neglect the importance of developing an effective crisis management policy - well in advance of a disaster.
Handle a crisis well and your reputation could stay intact or even improve. Handle it badly and you could go out of existence.
May 15 2012, Manchester. Venue details.
June 26 2012, London. Venue details.
Mark Brealey is a former BBC journalist who has spent the past ten years handling the media in major, headline-grabbing crises for a variety of organisations. He will use his journalistic skills and crisis handling experience to show you a clear path through a major incident.
This intensive but exciting one-day course will give you the tools to handle a crisis – and then the chance to put them into practice during a breaking ‘Newsflash’ story.
Who should attend?
Communications managers and anyone at a senior level in any organisation that could find itself the subject of media scrutiny. Please note there are a maximum of 12 places available on each date.
What you will learn:
- Why the media loves a crisis
- How other organisations handle them
- How to prepare before it happens (developing a comprehensive crisis plan)
- How (and when) to reveal a major incident to the world
- How to manage your website and social media sites in preparation for, or in the aftermath of a bad news story
- How to limit inaccurate reporting and criticism
- How to prepare a press statement
- How to handle the media on your doorstep
- How to prepare others or yourself for media interview, including tackling difficult questions
- How to draft clear, compelling and reassuring key messages and soundbites
- PLUS the chance to take part in realistic, mock radio and TV interviews
Mark consistently receives excellent feedback. Here's what some of our previous delegates thought of his workshops:
"Unusually, I felt engaged throughout the day! Course had pace and variety."
"Excellent course, didn't miss anything. Fantastic facilitator, very topical and helpful."
"Excellent facilitator, very nice to have someone who really knows what he is talking about."
"Mark offered really valuable advice and put us all at ease to generate discussion. I feel I've learnt lots and had a great confidence boost."
