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Crisis comms and rapid rebuttal x your association

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Crisis comms and rapid rebuttal x your association

Crisis Communications and Rapid Rebuttal for Your Association

In the dynamic world of associations, crises can emerge when you least expect them.

Whether it’s an issue impacting one of your members or an event that shakes your entire sector, your association may be called upon to respond swiftly and with clarity. Crisis management isn’t just about damage control; it’s about safeguarding the trust and credibility of your association and its members.

Crisis can hit any association at anytime, and complacency is its greatest ally. So here's Hexagon's 'dos' and one 'don't' on how to ensure your association is ready to respond when the unexpected happens.

DO: prepare

'Fail to prepare, prepare to fail' has never been truer than in crisis comms. A comprehensive crisis comms plan is your first line of defence. Review it regularly and update it at least annually, maybe even quarterly if your sector is particularly volatile. Socialise it with your team and stakeholders - ensure not just you but everyone named in the plan, including members, is familiar with it.

If you don’t have a crisis comms plan, why not? Make sure you're prepared before a crisis hits.

DO: make your plan thorough

Your plan should cover a wide range of potential scenarios. Think of the unexpected: What’s the worst that could happen? Then plan for it.

DO: secure members’ advance permissions

If your members are nominated to serve as spokespeople or contribute to crisis communications, obtain their organisational permission in advance. In a crisis, you don’t want delays caused by last-minute approvals.

DO: draft positions in advance

Craft key messages and media statements for likely scenarios and get them pre-approved by your members. This allows you to act quickly when time is of the essence.

DO: rehearse

If a crisis could break in the middle of the night, and you have to prepare spokespeople for early morning media rounds, then that's what you should rehearse. Practice mock scenarios with your team to build confidence, take learnings and refine your approach.

DO: Be proactive

Don’t wait for the media to set the narrative. Take charge by communicating clearly and early.

DO: be honest

Transparency builds trust. Even in a crisis, avoid the temptation to withhold or misrepresent information.

DO: consider the platform

Think critically about where to share your statements. Even if LinkedIn has your largest audience, is it the best platform for rolling media statements on an evolving situation?

DO: choose the right spokesperson

The best spokesperson may be the most senior or the most qualified in your association. But it may not be. Consider tone and optics as well as knowledge.

DO: align and collaborate with members and adjacent association

Ensure your crisis messaging aligns with the perspectives and priorities of your members. Collaborate with adjacent associations when possible to present a united front.

But this alignment doesn’t happen in the heat of the moment. Build relationships and maintain regular communication with your members and other associations on an ongoing basis to prepare for such scenarios.

And one don't:

DON'T panic - and don’t panic your members

Think of your crisis comms plan as a safety net. Ideally, you’ll never have to use it. Like a fire drill, it provides reassurance and readiness without raising panic. Preparation combined with flexibility, instinct, and sound judgment will be on your side if the time comes. Designing, refining and rehearsing a crisis comms plan is a point of reassurance for your members, not a cause for alarm.

Ready to Strengthen Your Crisis Comms?

Crisis comms demands planning, preparation, and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure. Hexagon specialises in equipping associations with tailored crisis comms strategies to help you navigate the unexpected with confidence.

Crisis Communications and Rapid Rebuttal for Your Association

In the dynamic world of associations, crises can emerge when you least expect them.

Whether it’s an issue impacting one of your members or an event that shakes your entire sector, your association may be called upon to respond swiftly and with clarity. Crisis management isn’t just about damage control; it’s about safeguarding the trust and credibility of your association and its members.

Crisis can hit any association at anytime, and complacency is its greatest ally. So here's Hexagon's 'dos' and one 'don't' on how to ensure your association is ready to respond when the unexpected happens.

DO: prepare

'Fail to prepare, prepare to fail' has never been truer than in crisis comms. A comprehensive crisis comms plan is your first line of defence. Review it regularly and update it at least annually, maybe even quarterly if your sector is particularly volatile. Socialise it with your team and stakeholders - ensure not just you but everyone named in the plan, including members, is familiar with it.

If you don’t have a crisis comms plan, why not? Make sure you're prepared before a crisis hits.

DO: make your plan thorough

Your plan should cover a wide range of potential scenarios. Think of the unexpected: What’s the worst that could happen? Then plan for it.

DO: secure members’ advance permissions

If your members are nominated to serve as spokespeople or contribute to crisis communications, obtain their organisational permission in advance. In a crisis, you don’t want delays caused by last-minute approvals.

DO: draft positions in advance

Craft key messages and media statements for likely scenarios and get them pre-approved by your members. This allows you to act quickly when time is of the essence.

DO: rehearse

If a crisis could break in the middle of the night, and you have to prepare spokespeople for early morning media rounds, then that's what you should rehearse. Practice mock scenarios with your team to build confidence, take learnings and refine your approach.

DO: Be proactive

Don’t wait for the media to set the narrative. Take charge by communicating clearly and early.

DO: be honest

Transparency builds trust. Even in a crisis, avoid the temptation to withhold or misrepresent information.

DO: consider the platform

Think critically about where to share your statements. Even if LinkedIn has your largest audience, is it the best platform for rolling media statements on an evolving situation?

DO: choose the right spokesperson

The best spokesperson may be the most senior or the most qualified in your association. But it may not be. Consider tone and optics as well as knowledge.

DO: align and collaborate with members and adjacent association

Ensure your crisis messaging aligns with the perspectives and priorities of your members. Collaborate with adjacent associations when possible to present a united front.

But this alignment doesn’t happen in the heat of the moment. Build relationships and maintain regular communication with your members and other associations on an ongoing basis to prepare for such scenarios.

And one don't:

DON'T panic - and don’t panic your members

Think of your crisis comms plan as a safety net. Ideally, you’ll never have to use it. Like a fire drill, it provides reassurance and readiness without raising panic. Preparation combined with flexibility, instinct, and sound judgment will be on your side if the time comes. Designing, refining and rehearsing a crisis comms plan is a point of reassurance for your members, not a cause for alarm.

Ready to Strengthen Your Crisis Comms?

Crisis comms demands planning, preparation, and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure. Hexagon specialises in equipping associations with tailored crisis comms strategies to help you navigate the unexpected with confidence.