It is difficult to predict what the next crisis will be. After all, nobody predicted COVID-19 or the long-lasting effects that it would have. There are some crises to which businesses can only react, but in the main, taking the time to develop a proactive crisis management strategy can aid clarity of thought and provide guidance as to how to respond should an unexpected situation arise that could impact the operation of your business.
COVID-19 lessons
The COVID-19 pandemic taught us to think outside the box. To rationalise and streamline our documentation, to ensure that our processes are up to date, that our technology can be utilised remotely and to train our personnel. Flexibility and adaptability have become everyday business terms.
But are you paying lip service to these terms, or have you successfully implemented a culture that could respond effectively in the event of a new crisis?
For most businesses, a crisis management plan is a "just in case" document that is filed electronically alongside the rest of their process documentation in the hope that it will never be needed. By taking this approach, however, you could be missing a trick.
We can help
At Needhams, we believe crisis management does not end when you document a theoretical plan for handling unexpected situations. Instead, we help your business to develop strong leadership skills, to implement tailored training programmes, identify your key risks and mitigation strategies, empower a dedicated management team and document, communicate and regularly review your crisis action strategy.
Strong leadership skills ensure that a competent individual or team is able to provide confidence to the rest of the workforce who will trust in their decisions and recommendations.
Appropriate training includes placing staff into a simulated situation to which they must respond in accordance with the business's crisis action strategy. This stress test can help staff to develop unit cohesion and trust, in addition to identifying any shortfalls in the strategy, which can then be addressed.
Risk and mitigation identification is essential to determine the likely scenarios that a business might face. By collaborating across departments, it is possible to develop a strong understanding of the responses that are available to the business and to develop an implementable risk management plan.
Creating and empowering a dedicated team of people is essential to responding to an emergency situation effectively. Without strong leadership and clear roles and responsibilities, there is a high likelihood that the appropriate actions will be delayed or missed entirely.
Documenting your plan without sharing it is about as useful as writing it in invisible ink. People can only respond in the way you want, when you tell them what you want them to do. Sharing this document not only ensures that everyone understands how to respond in a crisis, but offers the opportunity to pass comments and suggest improvements.
In conclusion
If you need help in embedding a strategy for handling crises in your business, please contact Needhams today.
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