Energy

The demand for energy, especially new and renewable sources of energy, continues to grow. But the energy business can be a dangerous one, so every company needs to be prepared with an energy crisis communications plan.

Below are a few key points to address when managing an energy crisis:

Understand the Risk

Make sure you have a deep understanding of where your company could be at risk. Some risks include:

  • Union strike of workers
  • An accident involving loss of life
  • Workplace violence
  • Terrorism
  • Severe weather
  • Dramatic changes in government regulation policy

Any of these things could have a lasting impact on your business. Are you ready for each scenario?

Have a Crisis Management Team

In addition to identifying potential risks, you need to identify and prepare a crisis management team. Each member of this team should be aware of their roles and responsibilities before an energy crisis occurs so that they can act quickly as soon as a situation develops. The competence and cohesion of your team will directly impact how smoothly a crisis is handled.

Communicate A Clear Message

Regardless of the scale of the energy crisis you experience, you will have to answer questions about its impact and your plan moving forward. It is best to communicate as much information as possible and be truthful. You should have a clear message and communicate with your audience as often as possible. Also, it is important to be consistent with your information so everyone on your team has the exact same information.

Prioritize Continued Operation

If your company’s energy production ceases during the crisis, this can potentially add to the negative attention your organization receives. Getting back to ‘business as usual’ will help indicate that the crisis has passed and things have returned to normal. Most organizations have a business continuity plan. Make sure you know the details of that plan and how you will communicate your actions to the public.

If you need professional advice managing an energy crisis, Tucker/Hall is highly experienced in managing many types of crises. Our firm has been in business for nearly 30 years and our counselors have decades of experience handling complex and daunting crises. If you would like to learn more about the services we provide, please contact Darren Richards at 813.228.0652 or via email at drichards@tuckerhall.com.

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