Preparing for the Unimaginable: Crisis Preparedness for Your Company

The Importance of Crisis Preparedness

You’ve readied your company for natural disasters such as fires and earthquakes. But what about industrial accidents like the Exxon Valdez oil spill and personnel crises such as strikes? And what of deliberate evil in the form of product tampering, cyber-attacks, or terrorist acts? Three out of four companies aren’t equipped to manage such unfamiliar crises.

The Crisis-Prone Company

Why? It’s difficult to accept that such things could happen to our companies. If disaster does strike, most of us can only react. We’re crisis-prone.

The Crisis-Prepared Company

By contrast, crisis-prepared companies are proactive. Rather than fighting new wars with old strategies, they force themselves to confront crises they’ve never experienced—or can’t even imagine. These organizations encounter fewer calamities and recover faster. They also stay in business longer and fare better financially.

How to Join Their Ranks

Start by imagining the unimaginable—using surprisingly simple tools.

The Idea in Practice

Wheel of Crisis

With colleagues, build a wheel with a spinner at its center. On it, list categories of crises your company could face, such as “personnel” (e.g., workplace violence), “criminal” (product tampering), “economic” (stock market crash). Take turns spinning the wheel, then brainstorm all possible crises in that category—no matter how bizarre. Combine crises to create even more improbable scenarios.

Internal Assassins

Imagine yourselves as internal terrorists. Using knowledge of your company’s products, procedures, and systems, choreograph how you’d destroy the firm. You’ll expose weaknesses and encourage a proactive attitude toward crisis.

Mixed Metaphors

Envision grappling with other industries’ vulnerabilities. You’ll identify previously unimaginable threats.

Spy Games

To test your crisis-preparedness, invite outsiders to stage attacks on your company. Banks hire ex-robbers to test their security procedures; computer makers use professional hackers to probe their networks’ safety. Some organizations ask journalists to report on their crisis-prevention plans—with complacency-shattering results.

Crisis Centers

Establish a crisis center whose head reports to the CEO, COO, or CIO. The center develops prevention and response plans for events in each crisis family; amplifies and distributes pre-crisis signals to executives; conducts regular audits and training; and establishes alternative work sites in case facilities are destroyed.

Conclusion

By using these simple yet effective tools, you can join the ranks of crisis-prepared companies. Don’t wait until disaster strikes to react. Prepare for the unimaginable and stay ahead of the curve.

FAQs

Q: Why is crisis preparedness important?

A: Crisis preparedness is important because it helps companies anticipate and respond to unexpected events, reducing the risk of damage to reputation, finances, and operations.

Q: What are some common crisis scenarios?

A: Some common crisis scenarios include industrial accidents, personnel crises, product tampering, cyber-attacks, and terrorist acts.

Q: How can I get started with crisis preparedness?

A: Start by using simple tools such as the Wheel of Crisis, Internal Assassins, Mixed Metaphors, Spy Games, and Crisis Centers to imagine and prepare for a range of crisis scenarios.