Clearview Communications\/The Message Masters earned high marks on evaluations from 54 executives at nine manufacturing facilities of one of the world’s largest corporations who participated in near-marathon crisis communications workshops.<\/p>\n
However, the real honors are due the company\u2019s board of directors and CEO, who identified the need for proactive planning to prepare its manufacturing division executives to respond appropriately and confidently in a business crisis situation. The board and CEO\u2019s foresight will pay major dividends when that crisis strikes.<\/p>\n
The manufacturing firm employs 9,100 at more than 50 locations in the U.S., Canada, Europe and China. Their processes are considered a significant risk for a crisis that could affect employee safety, morale, the environment, the community, operations, stock price and revenues.<\/p>\n
The day-long training at each manufacturing facility was intentionally rigorous, realistic and demanding. Based on their engagement and performance, I fully believe the men and women who experienced the workshops will be able to effectively plan for and then manage media relations, community relations and internal and external communications in a crisis. That expertise applied in a crisis can minimize and even eliminate the negative effects on the brand, its people, stakeholders, operations and revenues.<\/p>\n
I flew on 22 aircraft ranging from twin-prop to jumbo jet in six weeks to provide the confidential crisis planning and communications workshops at the company\u2019s international sites, many of them remote.<\/p>\n
While we normally have media relations workshop sizes in the range of 6-8 participants a day, completing a project to media train more than 50 in just under six weeks was a milestone for us, and, I\u2019ll admit, just a bit grueling.<\/p>\n
Because we intentionally designed the workshops to be serious, challenging and actually stressful, I was anxious before reading the course evaluations. It was gratifying to read comments such as the ones below, however, because I knew the participants appreciated the value of the demanding syllabus.<\/p>\n
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- “Superb,” commented the firm’s chief legal counsel and corporate secretary, an international attorney.<\/li>\n
- \u201cTaking the training with the whole management team — seeing the other styles, hearing their input, having them act as reporters to question us, etc. was part of what made this excellent training.\u201d<\/li>\n
- \u201cSome of the best training I have received in many years; a phenomenal asset to me personally. \u201c<\/li>\n
- \u201cAndy\u00a0Bowen was an excellent instructor! Very personable and experienced. Made for a very enjoyable day.\u201d<\/li>\n
- \u201cVery good session – well worth our time. I saw the training as beneficial for dealing with the media, but in addition, many of the strategies are effective for communicating in general.\u201d<\/li>\n
- \u201cThis was a humbling experience. This is something that I need to practice, on camera, on a regular basis.\u201d<\/li>\n
- \u201cTurned what is considered to be an intimidating process into a comfortable and easy to apply concept.\u201d<\/li>\n
- \u201cThis was valuable training beyond just dealing with the media. It would be appropriate for all senior management staff members at each facility.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Next Steps<\/strong><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t let a corporate or divisional crisis catch you off guard. Ask yourself and your leadership team these seven questions to see how vulnerable your company is to a real and costly crisis.<\/p>\n
![\"Take](\"https:\/\/clearviewcom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Take-the-Corporate-CrisisSelf-Test-1.png\")
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