Don't Get Caught with Your Pants Down When the Whole World is Watching

Currently, there is so much buzz about what people and organizations are doing when confronted by a crisis.

While every crisis is different, there are some fundamental principles that should serve as a reference on how to get started resolving the challenge. And, while at this point in my career as crisis communications counsel these principles are burned in my mind, I still immediately turn to my list the moment I get a call for help. This was the subject of my agency’s very first blog post, more than a year ago, but with all the year-end interest in this topic, I will repeat it as a guideline for all the new friends I have made on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

We call it a “pantchek” as a memorable acronym, because we believe it is important not to get caught “with your pants down” once all eyes are turned your way.

• Public welfare is first priority

• All bad news out at once/Assemble the facts

• No blame, no speculation, do not repeat the charges

• Tell your side of the story/Take responsibility

• Care and concern

• High-level organization spokesperson

• Ensure that it will not happen again

• Keep separate plan for moving ahead

I believe these fundamentals are a good complement to the interview I did with Bulldog Reporter that was posted today.