Crisis management is a task corporate managers should prepare for as a part of public relations planning. A prepared crisis management strategy can help a business avoid damage caused by a crisis. The Internet is an efficient tool to incorporate into a crisis communication plan.
Significance
A business crisis hinders a company by damaging the company's reputation. For instance, a restaurant might lose business if the media reports a story about how several individuals who ate at that restaurant became ill. Developing an effective crisis management plan will give your company an advantage in the media during a time of crisis, minimizing potential damage to the company.
Preparation
In regards to the Internet, corporate crisis communication involves preparing a crisis webpage or website. A crisis webpage or website should be prepared before a crisis, based on what crises occur more commonly in your given industry. An online newsroom and an email link for additional help are tools that should be incorporated.
Benefits
Using the Internet for crisis management proves efficient and allows the company to control the message being sent. The efficiency of the Internet in crisis communication stems from the convenience factor that allows individuals to obtain information when they want to. Online newsrooms give the unique opportunity to report a story from the company's perspective, rather than what the media reports.
Considerations
For handling crisis communication internally, a company's Intranet can be beneficial. An Intranet works similarly to the Internet but with a limited network, allowing internal discussions on the crisis.
