Feedback Form
Home Features Mastermind Forums About Advertise Blog Network Contact Be An Author

The Crisis Counselor

The Crisis Counselor
Free Download - THE MARKET SHIFT -- IN A HURRICANE, EVEN TURKEYS FLY By Andy Marken
Name: Email:

Business trips give you an excellent chance to catch up on your reading since you’re isolated on a plane for 2-3 hours. So there was no better time for us to review Jeff Caponigro’s guide to managing business crisis than the round trip flight from San Francisco to New York. We didn’t know that the trip would turn out to be a business crisis that is being increasingly experienced by too many business travelers.

After five hours of sitting in United’s Red Carpet Club the airline finally found a pilot and a plane which were both willing to take to “the friendly skies.” At 4 a.m. we arrived at our hotel only to be told that we really didn’t have a reservation despite the fact that we had a document in our hands. The reservation clerk did find us a hotel for one night after numerous calls and for only $350 we enjoyed an hour-and-a-half sleep and shower.

On the trip back, United treated us to an hour of seated relaxation on the tarmac at LaGuardia as well as two hours at Denver’s Stapleton Airport.

Were these the crises that Mr. Caponigro wanted to cover in his book?

Probably not. But then the traveling public has come to expect this level of service. Our tolerance levels have been constantly raised to the point where it becomes a pleasurable surprise when we actually get what we pay for.

While it is written by a public relations professional, The Crisis Counselor really isn’t a public relations book…it’s a management book.

Mr. Caponigro does an excellent job of outlining how crises can develop and become major disasters in almost every business -–large and small. Unfortunately though after reading the first two chapters you quickly see that a crisis can occur over even the slightest action or decision. It would be very easy to become so depressed that you simply stay in bed and pull the covers over your head to avoid a potential crisis.

Since this is impossible, the next best thing is for management to follow Mr. Caponigro’s excellent advice and identify areas of potential vulnerability and take the necessary actions to prevent potential crises.

Using real life examples without identifying specific organizations and a very readable question and answer format, The Crisis Counselor clearly explains how large and small firms can plan in advance to minimize damage to the organization. Mr. Caponigro covers almost every type of problem you can imagine in the book’s 286 pages. Strikes, boycotts, lawsuits as well as natural and manmade disasters are well covered to show management how they can protect the company’s reputation and survival.

About ten years ago we took up skiing and the instructor drilled us on the proper way to fall. By the end of the first season we had the theory and plan of action down pat.

The problem was every time we got in trouble we never fell according to “the plan.” This reality versus theory conflict is even more frustrating when it comes to protecting a firm from a crisis. Fortunately few companies will experience a major disaster that will cripple or destroy the firm. However we all face a multitude of potential minor disasters every day and the best way to recover is to use books such as Mr. Caponigro’s as a guide.

As the author points out most businesses today really do try to do the right thing but disasters and crises will occur. As a result, having a good set of plans in place that are frequently reviewed and practiced can minimize the damage. In addition, the author stresses again and again that fast, accurate and clear communications can limit damage and often improve the company’s image, goodwill and support.

As we noted from our personal experience skiers seldom spill according to plan but having a plan can prevent injuries. The same is true of business crises.

Unfortunately, effective crisis management plans are time consuming and cumbersome to develop. In addition, these plans seldom – if ever – have an immediate effect on the firm’s bottom line so they don’t get the management attention they need and deserve…until it is too late.

But that is no reason management shouldn’t develop a set of business crisis management guidelines. They worked effectively for Pepsi-Cola in the syringe scare, for the Tylenol crisis and Odwala in their drink contamination crisis. The problem is that most organizations tend to want to over-document the program so it covers every possible contingency. However, after reading The Crisis Counselor you come to understand that your plan or guide should be designed to handle an unpredictable event. By their very nature, unpredictable events can’t be prepared for, no matter how much documentation you have.

Because of this, Mr. Caponigro stresses that a short, concise crisis plan that can be readily understood, especially in desperate situations, is more effective than one that covers every possibility. As the author notes, plans are written ahead of time as a projection based on historical records and include a lot of assumptions as to what the situation will be at the time of the disaster. Few thinks happen as predicted and the management team that is best prepared to handle the situation is one that views things as they exist in real-time.

Ninety-nine percent of the CEOs or managers who read The Crisis Counselor will never encounter a major crisis or disaster. However, the organization will experience a number of minor events during their existence and managers will be confronted with a number of these during their careers. The Crisis Counselor will be an excellent guide in preparing for, understanding and dealing with these situations in a positive, pro-active manner.

But if you want The Crisis Counselor to really be effective, buy an extra copy or two and give them to your senior management. As for me, I’m sending my copy to the president of United Airlines.





The Crisis Counselor - To learn more about this author, visit Andy Marken's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends

Article Feedback
 Article Feedback No article feedback found.
  Leave Your Feedback
article feedback

Article Feedback
Cheryl Matthynssens

Cheryl is a life skills coach, licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and a 20 year entrepreneur.  Cheryl's dedication to achieving a life of balance led to her expanding her teaching from the simple managing of life's daily challenges to adding financial well being as well.  A direct marketer with DrinkACT, she is gaining ground in the online community with her concepts of making sure business owners, entreprenuers and employees have well rounded life styles.  She opened up a small affiliate site - The Balance Guide-  to help others find resources for mental and emotional well being.  Visit Cheryl's blog to see more of the diversity beyond business she has began offering online at www.thebalanceguide.blogspot.com

- Visit Cheryl Matthynssens's Website


To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us.

About The Author


Andy Marken
(Visit Andy's Website) G. A. "Andy" Marken President Marken Communications, Inc. Santa Clara, CA Andy has worked in front of and behind the TV camera and radio mike. Unlike most PR people he listens to and understands the consumer’s perspective on the actual use of products. He has written more than 100 articles in the business and trade press. During this time he has also addressed industry issues and technologies not as corporate wishlists but how they can be used by normal people. He has been a marketing and communications consultant for more than 30 years involved in the wild early days of the Internet/Web, heyday of the videogame industry and the maturing professional and consumer video industries. His experience includes years with Internet pioneer CERFnet, TCG and AT&T. Andy has worked in the software, Web 2.0, video and storage industry with Panasonic, Philips, Dazzle, Atari, NTI, ADS Tech, Pinnacle Systems, CyberLink, InterVideo, Ulead and Verbatim.

Andy Marken is a Platinum author on EvanCarmichael.com
About The Author

View Author Blog
View Author Blog

View Author Video
View Author Video

Free Downloads


Andy Marken's

Complete
List Of
Marketing
Articles

Name
Email
If you enjoyed this article, get Andy Marken's Complete List of Marketing Articles For FREE!

More Andy Marken
Examine Strategy Options STORAGE TAKES CENTER STAGE AT PC ENTERPRISE LEVELS
IPOsGetting There Isnt Half the Fun
Saving Our Past for the Future
Mobile Entertainment Bring It On
Public Relations on the Net
Want Data PrivacyGet Off the Computer
The Undersea Internet World
Managing Crises Before They Happen
Public RelationsExecute the Basics Positioning Will Follow
The Elements of Great Public Speaking
Free Downloads


 
 
 


Evan Elite Authors
Anne Barr  
Cheryl Matthynssens  
John Alexander  
Evan Elite Authors

Become An Author
Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details.
Become An Author

Evan's Latest Video
Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media
Evan's Latest Video

Business Opportunities
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"

How to Start An Online Business

Click Here To Learn More
Business Opportunities



Evan's 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:
Evan`s Newsletter

Free Downloads
Lifestyle and Leadership Icon Lifestyle and Leadership
Fortune Small Business Icon Fortune Small Business
Feed your body, gain a life Icon Feed your body, gain a life
Fitness Sales Success Icon Fitness Sales Success
Start eTutoring Business Icon Start eTutoring Business
Free Downloads - Complete List

Entrepreneur Tools and Guides
More PR Resources
More PR Resources
Press Release Builder
 
Top 50 Political Blogs
Top 50 Political Blogs
Top Political Blogs of 2009
 
Entrepreneur Tools and Guides

SEO For Africa
SEO For Africa
Junia Poni Gudele, Sudan,
Junia Poni
Gudele, Sudan
SEO For Africa

If I Were A Startup...
Brian Scudamore, $200k to $8 Mil in 5 years
Brian Scudamore
$200k to $8 Mil in 5 years
Julie Mitchell, $470k to $1.1 Mil in 2 years
Julie Mitchell
$470k to $1.1 Mil in 2 years
If I Were A Startup... - Complete List

Famous Entrepreneurs
Gordon Ramsay, Gordon Ramsay
Gordon Ramsay
Gordon Ramsay
Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway
Warren Buffett
Berkshire Hathaway
Famous Entrepreneurs - Complete List

Entrepreneur Advice
T. Harv Eker, Millionaire Mind
T. Harv Eker
Millionaire Mind
Michael Gerber, The E Myth
Michael Gerber
The E Myth
Entrepreneur Advice - Complete List

Popular Articles
(Premium Authors)

     Where's The Money?
By Connie Sparks
     What is Social Responsibility and How It Can Work For You
By Connie Sparks
     Why Small Businesses Don't Survive
By Connie Sparks

Have A Suggestion?
Toronto Salsa Classes / Toronto Salsa Lessons 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 and Sean Combs!
Have A Suggestion?

More Evan Carmichael
More Information