Tweet

Major Crisis don't just happen!

Written by: Accessible Business Consultants

Article Overview: When a business finds itself in a major crisis and out of control, hindsight usually indicates a series of events that lead up to the crisis.

Major Crisis don't just happen!

When a business finds itself embroiled in a major crisis and out of control, hindsight usually reveals a series of events leading up to the crisis. Whatever the underlying cause, a catastrophic environment accident, a series of product defects, a major strategic mistake, a non-calculated marketing error, or something else, major crisis don't just happen.

Most crisis are the result of multiple mistakes, not just one. Chains of mistakes often cause major operational or strategic missteps in business. Some businesses, rather than seek assistance or professional help take the position of denial that the problem actually exists or ignore complaints which reflect negatively upon the company. Allowing these mistakes to continue on for any period of time usually ends up costing the company loss of income, marketshare as well as a loss in reputation.

Some businesses are able to avoid such missteps. Missteps can be avoided if certain procedures are put into place which are adhered to in the company policies and procedures and followed by management.

1. Create a system to detect patterns of mistakes early and trust the data to be
correct.
2. Communicate and seek advice throughout the company and from professional consultants
and advisors.
3. Don't under-estimate the potential damage or mistakes.
4. Consider the unthinkable and predict the unexpected.
5. Protect the relationship with customers or clients at all costs.
6. Mistakes are not passive; mistakes or a bad situation will not go away on its own.
You have to make them go away.

Every business makes mistakes, but successful ones make fewer of them, discover them early and fix the problem faster and more agressively than other businesses.

Related Articles
  What is the best way to develop my sales skills?
  Profitable Online Business Ideas and the Recession Part 2
  Do You Know Where Your Disaster Recovery Plan Is
  Contribution
  Managing Crises Before They Happen

Article Tags: bad situation, chains, company policies and procedures, denial, hindsight, marketing, mistake, period of time, policies and procedures, professional consultants, relationship, reputation, unthinkable



Related Forum Posts
Re: Does a New Company need a "Big" PR firm? - I agree with SHri, it really depends on the target audience and how much service you really need. if you are doing National campaign than you want a firm that has the National contacts. Lots of smaller companies dont have as many resources or connections. Many firms are going to a pay for performance model which I think will do the PR and advertising industry good. no more $5000 retainers for sending out a couple of press releases - no matter how well written or targeted! if they dont get picked up, they dont get paid. J
Re: Fashion - Nana, At you choice you may choose to research the fashion industry a bit more. There is obviously a Business side to it as well as a creative side to it. Find out all the types of roles that exist in the industry. Some that come to mind merchandiser, Window dresser, floor plan organizer (someone needs to determine the layout of a retail store to best sell the goods), fashion consultant (Yorkdale mall has fashion consultants that take you around and tell you what looks great on you - you also get a cut from the sales). This is what I've observed from the business side, you may know more. All these roles I've written about will help you grow as a business person and make the contacts in the industry...possible stepping stones. But further more you'll also notice that you need to develop some business acumen possibly tailored to the fashion industry. When I was at Ryerson I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur someday too. I knew I needed some basic business courses to get a foundation to build from. I was in a Tech/Business Major (I'm sure Fashion has something similar - Fashion/Business Major) and then started to create my own minor. Here are some of the courses I took: Marketing, Law, Entrepreneurial, Management, consulting.. and a few more . Also, I'm sure that within the Fashion Major there are also courses you have to take where you can use your creative side and create designs. Typically within a Major there are focuses you can choose - ask the program coordinator. Your next step is to do some research. 1. Visit Commercial retail outlets like H&M, Banana Republic, or jacob. Tell the Manager your doing some research for University and would like to know what types of Corporate roles exist aside from the roles on the retail floor (like sales associates). If she asks you to elaborate then you can use some of the roles I mentioned above. 2. With this information in hand you can visit the Ryerson Fashion department and inquire with the Program Coordinator on what focus within the Fashion Degree would help you the most. In my program there were 5 different focuses within the Tech/Business program. Just a quick aside. A good friend of mine too has a dream of fashion. he want to create a niche fashion line tailored to skinny men (I can't mention the style). He's in Business school but not in the Fashion program... He's in International Business but all his Minor courses are tailored to running a successful business ... similar to the ones I mentioned above for myself. I have no doubt in my mind he'll make it 'cos his vision is that strong.
laptop vs. Desktop - I'm not a heavy gamer or graphics person so a Laptop is ideal for me for all the obvious reasons (portability, wireless, work on the go, etc etc) Major downside is the battery power and the cost to replace it - half as much as the cost of the laptop on my current IBM.
Re: help wanted in u.k. - Hi Brendan, Please dont apologize for feeling like you dont know or understand enough business. At least you know you have some things to learn and are willing to do that. One of the best things you can do write now is start studying business plans and learning about market research. You can find some amazing resources online and at the library. Before you spend the money on a patent you can be gathering crucial data and testing the viability of the product. One of my favourite resources is a book called "The Art of the Start". Guy K. (I dont know how to spell his last name). You can also visit a local enterprise centre/business centre. I'm sure you have one close by. They can help you on a personal level to know what steps to take to start. good luck. We are here - we just need to know how to best help. Thanks for writing back!
Re: Who did your logo design? - There are indeed a ton of those logo sights where you can get cheap work done. I have an inhouse design studio called Ripple, where we offer start up packages for business for $500. I think a lot of new entrepreneurs dont realize the impact that their logo does have on their branding and positioning. We take people through a complete creative process which I know they value. By using the $25 sites etc. you really have no claim on them if they do infringe on someone else idea.. But hey...to each his own.. I like to think that you get what you pay for - and while I dont think you need to spend thousands...you should research and really understand what you are getting into. Your logo needs to be something you can use for 5-10 years at least.....so it has to include your big vision..


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

What is an Adaptive Organization

Starting a Business a Brave Move or a NoBrainer

Quick Tips on Buying a Business

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.