A valuable lesson from the events of the last week : be prepared!

I'll leave the politics and rhetoric about last week's riots and the inevitable aftermath to the politicians and the great and the good. 


The inevitable thoughts of this PR professional turn to the aspect many businesses innocently caught up in that dreadful carnage perhaps hadn't even considered - crisis PR management and business disaster recovery.


I wonder how many of them had policies and procedures in place to deal with the sudden loss of livelihood, staff, stock and/or utilities. Does your company? Did you think it won't ever happen to you? Do you still think that?


Regrettably every company, big or small, needs to be prepared for an unexpected eventuality - from a scenario where a member of staff absconds with all the funds, to the murder of a tenant, fire, flood, fraud or any number of other possibilities including the omnipresent need to back up computers off-site!


Business recovery plans are essential so that the potential for loss of earnings or services are minimised and quick turnaround to 'business as normal' is maximised. 


Crisis PR management policies and procedures are equally vital so you can effectively manage communications and the ramifications of a potentially negative situation, and save your reputation. 


Can you do all this on your own? Possibly if you know how, but it can be cost-effective and stress-relieving in the long run to bring in an expert. 


I've been compiling a programme for a media training course I'm delivering later this month which includes crisis PR management, and I couldn't help wonder as I was doing it if the affected businesses in London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham have the help they need to get their feet firmly back on the ground. In the case of the bigger companies and corporates, I've no doubt they do - but what about the small to medium size ones and the micro businesses? 


I hope you never need to use them, but I recommend getting a crisis PR management policy in place as soon as you can, as well as a business disaster recovery plan. 


Business owners, directors or managers: you owe it to your company, stakeholders and staff - remember that classic motto and always be prepared!