The team here at VerriBerri are a PR agency specialising in crisis communications in the UK. Our team of 18 are dedicated to seeing businesses grow and succeed. We, like you, recognise that a substantial measure of this is down to reputation. It’s for this reason that everybody should be investing in crisis management.
During our 11 years in this industry, we have racked up lots of awards for our hard work and efforts. We’ve also established solid connections with both national and international contacts. These combined, make us the perfect fit for you!
What Do Crisis Management Teams do and How Does it Work?
Haven’t heard of crisis communications in the UK before? Not a problem!
Crisis management refers to the process in which a company aims to keep any negative news stories from hitting the press. Alternatively, it also refers to the process of managing, and limiting, the impact if a crisis has already occurred. This is where we come in. Our team have years of experience in this area and we’re ready to help you protect the brand you’ve made.
We’ve seen lots of companies though difficulties. It’s not uncommon considering the creation of the internet and given how readily available information now is. Regardless of how amazing journalists can be for a company’s exposure, they can also be responsible for ruining your reputation. You may think you’re safe but unfortunately, regardless of what your company does, everyone is vulnerable.
Examples of Crises You Could Face
Being experts in crisis communications in the UK, we have seen a whole host of companies being caught off guard. In order for you to understand just how easy it is to run into problems, we’ve compiled a list of possible crises that could happen to you. Here are some potential issues you could face:
- Product defects or recalls
- Bad reviews going viral
- GDPR or security breaches
- Overlooked controversy within campaigns
- An employee mishandling a customer service issue
- Negative feedback online
Bad Press Isn’t Always Good Press
There are countless reasons as to why you should be avoiding a crisis, some more obvious than others. As we touched on before, reputation is one of the most vital components of any business. Therefore, protecting it should be a heavy focal point of yours and ours. We’ve all heard of individuals who have become more popular after receiving bad press – Miley Cyrus for one. This being said, there are also an abundance of companies who have struggled to come back after a crisis. Sea World to name just one example. Either way, leaving yourself open for such criticism is risky.
In addition to this, you also need to consider the other work you’ve undertaken recently. If you’ve been investing money in social media or PR campaigns, a crisis will quickly undo all of your hard work. As humans, we’re conditioned to be drawn more towards negative news stories. This means that no matter how much good a company does, the bad will always trump it.
How to Avoid Crisis in the Future or Manage What’s Happening Now
Now we’ve discussed why you should, let’s explain how you can avoid crisis situations. It’s also useful to know how you can minimise damage once an issue has occurred too. Here’s a very brief guide to help you navigate the stormy seas that a crisis may bring:
Prepare for the Future
Getting a team in place is a great way that you can prepare for the future. The work that agencies specialising in crisis communications in the UK do is invaluable; however, often overlooked. Without good contacts and a plan in place, you’re probably not going to get very far. Why not utilise our experience and use this to better yourselves? You won’t regret it!
Own up to Your Mistakes
If a mistake has already been made, take time to assess the situation. Ask yourselves why people are upset and why their opinion is negative. Consider the situation for their perspective and additionally, how you could avoid doing the same again in the future. Following this, ensure that you develop an appropriate response. Take your time and make sure you’re saying the right things. Above all, ensure that you do not damage your reputation further.
Identify Potential Weaknesses
Nobody is perfect. We all make mistakes. This being said, when coming up with any new campaigns, make sure you’re thinking everything through from all angles. Identify any possible areas that could be problematic and be prepared. With the internet being permanent, it can be difficult to take things back once they’re out there. Bear this in mind before publishing anything.
Avoid Controversial Topics
Although basic, lots of companies fall into the trap of speaking out on controversial topics when they don’t need to. It goes without saying, but unless you want to exclude groups of customers, avoid topics such as politics. There are some things that just shouldn’t be discussed and quite frankly, don’t need to be.
But, Speak Out When You Need to
The above being said, there is a very fine line between what controversy’s you should and shouldn’t speak out about. For example, not speaking out about relevant and current movements, such as equality, could backfire too. You need to gather information on said topics and aim to educate and empathise, help where you can too! Make sure your comments are considered and the landscape as a whole is taken into consideration.
Contact the Team
Regardless of what product or service you offer, or the size of your brand, no company will go unscathed. Why not consider getting in touch with a team of people who manage crisis communications in the UK on a daily basis. There is far more to learn than what can be written in a blog post.
For more information on what we do and how this can be integrated into your business, get in touch today by clicking here. In usual times, we’d invite you into the office. However, the current climate means a Zoom call will have to do!