graphic courtesy of CommunItelligence

Last night I had a dream of consulting a prominent Utah CEO regarding a current crisis situation. Hence, it’s on my mind this morning. As we launch into a new year, we hear “year-in-review” reports of crisis after crisis endured during the past year.

Mayan Calendar

During the coming year, mark my word, we will be snowed under with doomsday speculation about the 2012 December deadline for the Mayan Calendar. Regardless of apocalyptic hyperventilation, crisis hits companies and the news daily. As a CEO, you are wise to consider the crisis ahead before it happens. The best way to mitigate bad company news is to prepare in advance. It’s the old “pay me now, or pay me later ” message or “an ounce of prevention…”

A few years ago, the Crandall Canyon Mine crisis and the company’s CEO, Robert “Bob” Murray, have riveted media viewers/readers across the country on the plight of six miners trapped underground. FlackLife, Rockford Gray, USCHO and the Moderate Voice are examples of bloggers chiming in. We all are hoping for the best and bracing for potentially tragic news for the families of the six missing miners. Much has been said regarding Mr. Murray’s handling of press relations during this crisis and perhaps when our hearts heal from this tragedy Crandall Canyon will become a case study for PR students to learn how to better plan for and handle crisis communications.

For corporate leaders in the boardroom seeking to better prepare for crisis communications, perhaps some tips would be helpful.

Create a Plan – it’s usually better to be proactive, than reactive. Before the crisis hits have a written communications plan that clearly assigns responsibility, accounts for media deadlines, and has total agreement among key management. Running a simulated crisis scenario can help work out kinks in the plan. This is especially important for companies that offer services impacting large numbers of people or that perform work that is potentially dangerous.

Appoint One Spokesperson – usually a top executive, this should be an individual who engenders trust and who has authority to speak for the company.

Communicate Quickly, Thoroughly and Frequently – from a pre-arranged location provide access to vital crisis information. Who, What, Why, How, and When should be answered as quickly as facts become available. A constant flow of information to the media will mitigate the reporters’ tendency to fill in story gaps with inaccurate information or questionable sources. Provide the chain of events, graphics, data, and independent third party experts as quickly as they become available.

Focus on People – every media interview or press conference should begin with a focus on the human component of any tragedy. Location of those impacted, services for family members, and efforts to find survivors should be covered before other subjects are discussed.

Be Accessible – Be Transparent – Stick to the Facts – members of the media have a job to do. The vast majority of reporters and editors seek to get the story right. Work with them around their deadlines and communicate often regarding the crisis. When tough questions are asked, stay cool. Be as open as possible to avoid looking guilty. Provide the facts and encourage continued dialogue to fill in gaps in the story. Focus on what is being done to help people impacted by the crisis. Avoid speculation or assigning blame, especially in the early days after a crisis. This keeps the focus on the human component and away from rushing to judgment. Credibility during crisis is a fragile thing. Avoid rejection of alternative opinions or experts which can easily backfire.

MORE Crisis Planning Resources & DOWNLOAD 5 Crisis Tips for CEOs.

When I think of the biggest turkeys in my life, I think of people that took advantage of me. People who say one thing and do another. I just signed up a new public relations client that thoroughly researched my background after our first meeting to make sure I wasn’t a turkey. I am pleased to report, he found out as have other clients that my commitment to family, staff, friends, and customers is to shoot straight, keep my word, and do my best.

OK. OK. I’ll share my secret for a super juicy Turkey.

• Rub turkey w oil of choice. (No, not a deep tissue massage)
• Sprinkle 2 envelopes of dry Italian dressing inside and outside bird. (Do this in the sink unless you have big biceps or your dog won’t jump on it when you drop the now slippery bird)
• Put bird on its breast side down on baking pan in plastic baking bag. (yes, this means you won’t be able to see that little red pop-out plastic thermometer thingy. you still know how to read a clock, right?)
• Pour 1/2 c vinegar of choice inside bird. (if you forgot to put turkey in bag before this step, your cat may help you clean up)
• Put chopped vegetables or stuffing in bird if desired.
• Follow bag instructions. (like tbsp Flour. Holes. Bake time) (guys, you did keep the instructions, right?)

It will cook faster than traditional cooking.

Drippings minus fat make great gravy n soup. (if you hate it, remember the dog & cat like Thanksgiving, too. Plus, you only paid $7 for the darn turkey at Smiths w purchase of $35 in groceries and a 6-pack of Coke products) :-)

Happy Thanksgiving!!! I’m thankful for my family & my new daughter-in-law! & my company staff…& my talents…& my warm house…& my church calling…& great movies…

Turn Facebook Fans Into Customers-click graphic

PilmerPR has supported our local universities (BYU, UVU, & UofU) by hiring dozens of interns over the years. We are so pleased to have helped launch many successful careers by teaching world-class public relations discipline and best practices.

Here are a couple of tips for new college PR students that you may not hear from the professor:

1) Think like an entrepreneur: How to leverage public relations to drive traffic to the sales funnel
2) Think ROI. Measure everything & be accountable
3) Learn quickly how to pitch media & you increase your paycheck. They don’t teach this well in college.
4) Get an internship fast; work for free if you must to build the resume
5) Find new ways to make Social Media drive measurable online brand management & referrals. We have discovered such technology & it opens doors for us because companies are scrambling to monetize social media and make it more than and “energy leak” for their organization.

What do you think?

Today, I had lunch at the Utah state capitol with the governor – well, Governor Herbert and a few hundred of his entrepreneur friends. There, the governor signed a proclamation naming September 27th as Utah Entrepreneur Day. Representing Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum (UVEF) along with this year’s chairman, Cary Snowden, we mingled with and broke bread with many of those stoking Utah’s entrepreneurial “fire in the belly.”

One speaker that caught my ear and with whom I spoke was 6th grader Jackson Argyle.  Jackson is a participant in the  Junior Achievement, an experiential program that educates and inspires young people to value free enterprise. As part of Jackson’s experience, he and other participants staffed JA City for a day.

In JA City students work as entrepreneurs and employees of various businesses.  They are paid for their labor and manage personal checking accounts. Throughout the day, students learn about time and money management skills as they work, bank, and shop as consumers.  Afterwards, students participate in debriefing lessons to ensure a well-rounded learning experience.  The effort is staffed by volunteer educators & business leaders.

Governor Herbert remarks at the day’s events were largely reminders of his platform for business friendly government. He stated that the government’s roles should largely be to “stay out of your way and out of your wallets.” These comments drew loud applause from attendees.

Utah’s who’s who of entrepreneurial success were highlighted as expected. Mozy was among these mentioned that is also a PilmerPR alum, with our company accelerating the company’s launch by garnering national press coverage.

FYI. Calling all entrepreneurs. UVEF  www.UVEF.net will host Paul Ahlstrom, author of Nail It Then Scale It, speaking in Provo Oct 13^th.

Four Steps for harnessing the power of the Social Media as a component of a well conceived public relations strategy:

1) “Listen Up” To The Conversation

2) “Join In” The Conversation

3) “Power” The Conversation

4) “Orchestrate” The Road Signs

In this video,  I discuss why focus on Social Media is imperative to avoid energy leaks from your company.

Ask the Expert

Ellen McCarthy, talented writer for the Washington Post, recently published an article that got my attention big time. It discussed the power of Pop in today’s new media world. This article offers application for  strategic public relations. In this video, John discusses the power of PR Pop, especially in the world of Social Media.

Ask an Expert

Entrepreneurship is risky by definition. Success demands confidence in the face of challenges. An entrepreneur must believe in his/her product or service, or no one else will.

But when does healthy assurance become dangerous arrogance?

A few months ago, Forbes Magazine published the article (and accompanying slide-show), 10 Arrogance Traps For Entrepreneurs. The warnings are sound, and some go counter to conventional wisdom.

In Part 6 of 10 of PilmerPR’s “PR 101″ webinar, John Pilmer discusses five traps from the list we feel are most common and dangerous to entrepreneurs.

To learn how PilmerPR can help your business reach audiences with a proper communications strategy and spokesperson training, visit our contact page.

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Many revolutionary ideas come into the market, and then die from “lack of demand.” The problem is not a bad idea, nor that demand does not exist. Too often, the problem is a failure to reach the audience that demands it.

The Internet is making it easier than ever to find your market, but harder to compete. When consumers are flooded with many companies vying for their attention, repetition is key. A good company must reach those customers through web development, search engine optimization, a strong social media presence, news articles, and more.

In Part 5 of 10 of PilmerPR’s “PR 101″ webinar, John Pilmer discusses how small businesses can find the lucrative “watering holes” and reach their target markets on multiple fronts.

To learn how PilmerPR can help your business reach audiences and increase sales, visit our contact page.

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