When the flying monkeys attack

One of my favorite t-shirts says "it's all fun and games until the flying monkeys attack" -- amazing the wisdom contained on a Hanes 50/50.
No one anticipates flying monkeys and odds are they aren't going to hit your business, but if they (or one of  a million other challenges you normally would not consider) strike it's going to be a whole lot easier on everyone -- employees, stakeholders, media and your bottom line -- if a crisis communication plan is in place.
While I have gotten the call saying "a reporter is in our conference room right now" and there are still things that can be done at that point --  it's cheaper, more effective and much less painful to have a simple plan in place in advance.
Most flying monkeys arrive without any malfeasance whatsoever on the part of the business. Accidents are more likely than indictments. Either way, few people arrive at work expecting that today will be a "monkey" day.
 A crisis plan delineates clearly who is responsible for gathering information and how it will be communicated internally and externally. Depending on the complexity of your enterprise, it can be as simple as a few simple pages of instruction updated annually or as complex as a detailed binder detailing dozens of specific internal roles and tasks, templates and instructions.
Either way, precious time is lost when homework hasn't been prepared in advance. Rumors, lies and innuendo will always fill a void left open by lack of adequate information. Alternately, in a complex situation well-meaning employees and even corporate officers will often speak to media and others giving as fact what is a small or distorted piece of the entire situation.
Study after study shows that people tend to believe and recall what they hear first, regardless of subsequent corrections or amendments. In cases of significant property damage or the threat of personal injury it is natural to respond to those needs first, yet too often the reputation threat can have more devastating, long-term impact if not addressed directly and correctly.
No media practioner wants to be spoonfed pablum by a spinmeister, but most appreciate getting the facts quickly and in an organized fashion.
Tools now include instant websites, social media, and text messaging allowing direct, unfiltered information to virtually any audience selected. A good communications plan will address how to activiate these tools best.
The process of preparing a plan is generally simple -- a few meetings with key personnel, team review of a draft plan and the presentation of a final plan. I work with clients both who wish to use their own internal resources to execute the plan as necessary or wish to reserve the option to call me to assist the team. Either way it's a small investment of resources in contrast to the incalcuable damage possible when flying monkeys attack.