Crisis Communications Workshops

Our Crisis Communications Workshops, conducted by news media veterans from ABC, NBC, CBS and CNN, and lead by Dan Rather’s West Coast Director (fmr.), will prepare your executives and communication’s team for “real life” emergencies. The crisis communication’s strategies and guidelines taught are taken from years of experience from actual corporate and government emergencies that The Benscheidt Communications Group successfully choreographed.

The full-day Crisis Communications Workshop consists of rock solid, proven strategies from crisis situations such as: Los Alamos National Laboratory under intense international media attention over the alleged theft of U.S. nuclear weapons secrets; when CBS’ “Eye on America” went after the nation’s second largest supplier of blood with the lead story, “Is our nation’s blood supply safe?"; when the world’s largest nuclear waste depository (Hanford) was under attack from “60 Minutes”; and when 14 firefighters lost their lives in Colorado.

“Real life” scenarios, based on carefully researched information and custom tailored specifically for your company or agency, are role-played in the Crisis Communications Workshop. Participants use the strategies and guidelines taught to successfully control the “mock” crisis. All scenarios are video taped and professionally critiqued by crisis communications experts. “If any consulting firm could get a business ready to handle adverse news, The Benscheidt Communications Group has the credentials.” (Journal of Business)

A FEW OF THE ELEMENTS COVERED

• 20 “MUSTS” For The First 24 Hours
• Immediate Steps To Be Taken
• Emergency Check-offs
• The Crisis Communications Plan
• Controlling The Flow Of Information
• The Importance Of Hot Lines
• Delegated Media Hot Lines
• Media Centers
• News Conferences - Appropriate Or Not
• Emergency Contact Sheets
• Formulation Of Key Messages
• Importance Of Collateral Materials
• Rumor Control - A Basic Necessity
• The Right Spokesperson - A Critical Choice
• The “What Are We Missing?” List

A FEW CLIENT COMMENTS

"Excellent! Best communication training I’ve had…targeted our specific needs.”
Ann Wright, General Mgr., Tennessee Valley Authority

“Outstanding. The most valuable training I’ve ever had for any job.”
Adela Backiel, Deputy Assistant Secretary, USDA

“Excellent! Very well done. Thanks - you had my attention…something that’s not
easy to do.”
Greg Green, President & CEO, Avista Communications

“Excellent. My goal is to learn to train as proficiently as you! Great Job.”
Ray Milchovich, President/CEO, Kaiser Alum. /Chem. Corp

“Most useful. An eye opener. Necessary for a world where the reporter
enjoys “religious” rights. I recommend this to anyone in contact with the press,
investors, analysts, etc.”
John Wilson, President & CEO, Placer Dome, Canada

“Suggested improvements without put-downs. Outstanding day.”
George Tupper, WA Public Power Supply System

“The continual on-camera situations are the key. My confidence level is higher now that I can handle myself in these situations.”
Tom Harkins, Sr. Vice President, Seafirst Bank