TORONTO, Oct. 1, 2014 /CNW/ - In today's 24/7 social media, it takes just 60 minutes for word of a crisis to travel around the world. It will happen in your organization; it's just a matter of when, what will set it off and whether you will be ready for that first critical hour.
In his just-released book, Crisis Communications in the 24/7 Social Media World, Bill Walker sets forth a bold, new prescription for crisis management. It puts CEOs out in front and challenges them to respond to public interests rather than corporate interests.
Walker emphasizes the need to "shatter expectations," ---to do the things that the public is least likely to expect. Respond honestly and with integrity. Acknowledge the wrong and explain how it will be made right.
It's also about avoiding common mistakes such as instinctive defensive responses, organizational paralysis or the failure to listen when employees speak truth to power.
Mostly important is the Leadership Principle of crisis communications, which requires CEOs to step up and demonstrate leadership every time.
Walker spent two decades as a leading journalist with Canada's largest newspaper, followed by a decade providing senior communications counsel to both private and public sector organizations.
His book includes numerous examples from around the world of CEOs who have handled crises well and those who have not. He lays out the steps that CEOs and crisis teams should take in preparation for the inevitable crisis, as well as explaining what should happen after the crisis has passed and recovery begins.
Peter Aceto, CEO of Tangerine Bank, whom Forbes Magazine called "The Social Media CEO," says, "True leadership comes with a price of sacrifice and responsibility. Every CEO, whether active in social media or not, needs to understand what this book teaches about standing up and being counted at a time of crisis."
Crisis Communications in the 24/7 Media World (ISBN 978-1-941688-22-9) is available from Paramount Market Publishing, Inc. (www.paramountbooks.com) or your favorite on-line bookstore. In Canada, it is available from Books for Business (www.booksforbusiness.com). For bulk orders, Paramount Books can be reached by calling toll-free, 888-787-8100.
Image with caption: "For your files: author of crisis book available for interviews on breaking news (CNW Group/Paramount Market Publishing, Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141001_C1120_PHOTO_EN_6184.jpg
SOURCE: Paramount Market Publishing, Inc.
For more information or to arrange interviews contact: Bill Walker, 416-624-3936, [email protected]
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