In the latest episode of the Huddle Leadership Podcast, host Kate Russell sits down with Craig Goldberg, founder and CEO of Battleground, to discuss the critical aspects of crisis management and organisational resilience.
Understanding Crisis
Goldberg defines a crisis as any non-business-as-usual event requiring people mobilisation. To help organisations identify and address potential crises, he introduces the PRIZE framework: People issues, Reputational issues, Information/IT issues, Site issues, and External third-party issues. This comprehensive approach ensures no aspect of crisis management is overlooked.
The Importance of Preparation
"You can't plan for every crisis," Goldberg emphasises, "but you can prepare your organisation to respond effectively." He advocates for a three-pronged approach: planning, training, and testing. Regular crisis simulations are crucial, with organisations that exercise twice or more annually showing significantly better crisis management capabilities.
Communication Strategy
When it comes to crisis communication, Goldberg stresses the importance of balanced transparency. While organisations must maintain open lines of communication, they must also consider legal implications and stakeholder interests. He notes that consistent messaging across all channels is vital, as information gaps often lead to speculation and rumours.
Building Organisational Resilience
The podcast reveals that crisis management is just one component of organisational resilience. Other crucial elements include risk management, emergency management, and business continuity planning. Goldberg emphasises that resilience isn't about creating extensive manuals that gather dust; it's about developing practical, actionable plans that can be implemented effectively when needed.
Practical Implementation
"Don't try to boil the ocean," advises Goldberg, suggesting organisations start with manageable steps. He recommends focusing on worst-case scenarios during testing, as this preparation makes handling lesser incidents more manageable. This approach helps organisations build what he calls "crisis fitness" – the ability to respond effectively under pressure.
Conclusion
The conversation with Craig Goldberg provides valuable insights into modern crisis management and organisational resilience. His practical approach, emphasising regular training and realistic preparation, offers organisations a clear pathway to building robust crisis management capabilities. As Goldberg puts it, "It's not if, but when" a crisis will occur, making preparation essential for every organisation.
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