What impact do effective communications have in an organization during crisis events?

Answer

  Question One

There are profuse catastrophic events, as well as, potential crises which can be experienced by a company. Therefore, several companies have crisis plan available to handle such events (Boin, Stern & Sundelius, 2016).  However, despite the availability of crisis plan within the organization’s context, they may not be adequate to alleviate diverse potential crises. In that regard, it is substantial to understand the types of crisis to evaluate adequate crisis plan. The critical types of crises are routine and novel. Routine crisis constitutes the identified risks for which an organization can generate a strategy and improve techniques to confront the crisis. Contrary, novel crisis is a risk that reveals uncommon incidence and effect. Plans for such events are rare in numerous companies. Having mentioned the categories of crises, there are certain principles that can be employed by senior executives to astonish crises.

Charismatic leadership

Habitually, the CEO remains the ideal choice which oversees a response to an unusual crisis. In spite of representing an effective approach, it may distract him or her from the routine business, as well as, other vital organization matter. To avoid such experience in an organizational context, other officers in the same level of management can step forward to impart upkeep in the event of a major legitimate contest.

Framing the Crisis

Decision makers should be flexible to clinch appearance of modern data rather than holding fast to the foremost impression and study of the crisis. Through crisis analysis, they may encounter practical suggestion that may be linked with restructuring the initial plan. Therefore, decision-makers should occupy a vital role in identifying the crisis and continuously framing the crisis. Additionally, a crisis may reconstruct and become multiple events. The decision maker should constantly look at the identification process.

Communicating actively

As a decision maker, a constant communication should be employed. It is critical to communicate up to workers and vendors, lenders, owners and media in the occurrence of a crisis. In order to effectively strategize the messaging pattern, the decision maker should designate a crisis manager as the spokesperson. In addition, a record concerning the crisis manager’s recognition should be kept to react to prospective lawsuits that might ascend.

Crises Awareness

The decision maker should acknowledge that in episodes of crisis, employees may act differently as compared to normal circumstances. Therefore, typical organizational roles may not be effective throughout a crisis. Such experience promotes volatility of a precarious incident. To stabilize that, a responsible decision maker should not be the ideal one to contend with a crisis.

                                                           Question Two

Effective communication during crisis events is crucial for preparedness in managing crisis. Lacking an approach on how to communicate during a potential crisis is a fundamental weakness. According to Sweetser & Metzgar (2007), communicating effectively during a crisis ensures the issue is handled carefully with a cohesive team in place. A team that communicates well is capable of brainstorming remarkable solutions, which can easily handle and neutralizes the crisis. With that in place, the impact of effective communication in an organization during a crisis can be achieved. During a crisis, the impact of effective communication can be identified through reviewing a structured communication strategy. A well-rounded communication strategy would result in the identification of principal threats and vulnerabilities, identification of resources needed, and a responsible group. An effective communication would result in quick and comprehensive notification to an employee working in the organization. An effective communication reduces doubts about the approach to be implemented to tackle a crisis. The approach possesses certain strategic tactics that would deliver a message to all staff members about the crisis. The approach is for a disaster relief. Diverse governmental agencies and other third parties involved during the crisis may not effectively communicate with each other; thus less information is shared. An effective communication may be experienced when the two parties are linked together to distribute information within a minimal time. Effective communication has the ability to integrate certain differences in an organizational contest. In an organizational context, numerous officers may differ in terms of disclosing information concerning the crisis. Effective communication would deal with such a misunderstanding. The process is noticeable when there are effective sources of information drawn from different crisis departments during a crisis. According to Sweetser, & Metzgar, (2007), handling a crisis requires quick response and removing the unimportant sections from the issue. The media can enhance a supportive function when it comes to addressing a crisis. Communication skills from the spokesperson would determine the support attained from the media during the crisis. Creation of messages and feedback ensures consistency is maintained. Effective communication would foster awareness to the spokesperson on issues about the company both online and offline during the crisis. This helps in evaluating the strengths and weakness when it comes to managing crisis.