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By Len Biegel
We often work side by side and for legal counsel on behalf of clients faced with tough issues and crises. When we are asked how you know when to involve communications experts in legal matters, this is our answer:
• The media are knocking at the client’s door.
• Rumors are afloat.
• Some employees know about the problem, and others surely will know soon.
• It will take time and intense effort to put a communications strategy, key messages and action plan in place.
• The CEO and other key spokespersons need to be coached/ trained to act as the spokespersons.
• Third party spokespersons will be crucial allies when or if the issue becomes public – and they will need to be identified.
• The company is publicly traded and news of the problem has the potential to affect share price.
• News may leak at any time.
• You’ve never met the communications staff or outside consultants – and they do not have a clue on the issue.
• The company or brand reputation are potentially at stake.
About the Author: Len Biegel is president of The Biegel Group and a widely recognized expert in crisis communications, training and management. He has counseled a large number of Fortune 500 corporations and trade groups on crisis planning and has played an active role in creating these plans.
He played a key role in the Tylenol product-tampering cases and, subsequently, other crises ranging from environment to product safety. He created the most extensive emergency preparedness program in the cruise vacation industry; and has authored widely acclaimed post-9/11 documents for The Business Roundtable. Most recently he has been involved in a range of client crises for American Airlines, General Electric, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Hershey Foods, Tyco International and others.
Visit TheBiegelGroup at www.thebiegelgroup.com
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