4 Crisis Management Must Haves to Bounce Back from Business Chaos

Business seems to be swimming along effortlessly. Things are going so well you feel like you can sit back and put your feet up. Until suddenly, crisis hits.

Stock value drops, revenue streams take a hit, and you start worrying how you’ll keep the doors open.There weren’t any markers warning before chaos struck, or maybe the signs slipped under the radar.

What’s important now is the cleanup plan. How can you fix this mess? You cannot control the event that caused the disaster but you can certainly control the aggressiveness and timeliness of your response.

Make a plan

It can be a simple to do list, as the value is in using it as a compass. Forward progress is a series of small incremental steps and it is critical to get a few small wins under your belt.

Once things are in a (mostly) safe place, begin creating a more fulsome strategic plan that will resolve the issues and prevent reoccurrence. Use this to keep your focus and momentum strong.

Stay Objective and Avoid Assumptions

Keep caution tape on anything that is not supported by productive facts. Even if someone offers to help you get back on track, don’t put all of your hope in them being your hero.

You can’t assume that any one answer will save the day, and you can’t approach the problem with a biased point of view. Be skeptical of half-baked ideas masquerading as magical solutions.

Timelines and Deadlines

Pace yourself and set scheduling milestones. Whether or not things go according to plan is irrelevant, what’s important is the sense of urgency a schedule will cultivate.

If the problem requires long-term gating items like getting a permit or certification, calculate how long these tasks will take and then assess what can be done in the meantime to avoid a large hit on capital or reputation.

Keep your friends close

Communication is the only free lunch in a crisis. It keeps people connected and the trust flowing. Keep trust in tact by including all employees and stakeholders in the news.

Hold a staff meeting as soon as possible, and be honest and consistent in your messaging. Be aware of how you articulate the situation and despite the chaos at hand, approach your staff and costumers with confidence and hopefulness.