The seemingly never-ending news about Covid-19 (coronavirus) is now impacting our daily lives. Even if your company or organization doesn’t have a current crisis communication plan, there are still immediate steps that you can take to prepare your business for the challenges ahead as this crisis continues to unfold.
Define Key Audiences and Prioritize How to Effectively Communicate with Them
Decide who you need to communicate with, what they need to know and the best way to reach out to them. Here are some key audiences to consider and the kind of information that may be important to share with them:
Employees/Customers/Vendors:
- What steps is the company taking to protect them?
- What processes or procedures are changing to minimize potential exposure and how does this impact their interaction?
- How is the company empowering them to protect themselves and others? (sick leave, work from home, virtual meetings/conferences)
- As the situation changes, where can they get the most updated information on the situation and your organization’s response?
Consider the Various Communication Vehicles
After you decide who you need to communicate with and what they need to know, determine the best way to reach out to them. Keep in mind, there may be multiple ways to make the information available. In times of crisis, the rule is to reach out to each audience in the way(s) they are used to hearing from you. Here are some to consider:
- Letter/memo
- Text
- Website/Intranet
- Social Media post
- Poster/posted signs
- Meeting/conversation
- Telephone call
- Crisis line
- Videotaped message
- Recorded audio message
- Bulletin board
- Electronic reader board
- Newsletter/eNewsletter
Don’t Let a Crisis Damage Your Corporate Image
If you need help with messaging for Covid-19 or any other crisis that could damage your business and its reputation, please reach out. I’m happy to set up a time to talk about how my team can help.
When it comes to crisis communication, Peridot Group has decades of experience. We have a team of former journalists who now work on behalf of clients. Our team has led communication through SARS, bird flu, Zika virus, seasonal influenza and now Covid-19/coronavirus.
Our crisis communication services are second to none. We’d love to put them to work for you.
Kristi Arndt, karndt@peridotgroup.net