Ready to Handle a Crisis?

Ready to Handle a Crisis? Six Months on, FTSE250 Business Leaders Ponder Crisis Readiness and Preparedness in the Aftermath of September 11 94% of British businesses rate crisis preparedness as a corporate priority, yet 30% of FTSE250 companies have never tested their systems An overwhelming majority (82%) do not have information websites ready to launch in the event of a breaking issue London, 18th April 2002 - In the wake of September 11, business risk management and crisis preparedness are rated corporate priorities (94%) yet an overwhelming number of FTSE250 businesses remain largely unprepared. Despite recognition of the 24/7 business and media cycle, companies also remain low users of web technology. The figures, released today by Edelman PR Worldwide London's newly launched issues and crisis management unit, give a detailed insight into corporate reactions in the wake of the World Trade Center attacks in 2001. In the off-line arena, close to half of Britain's businesses (48%) have conducted comprehensive business and risk communications audits across their organisation since the World Trade Center attacks and 26% had tested their systems prior to September 11. However, 20% of survey respondents report never to have monitored and assessed the risks to their business, and 30% have not thought it necessary to test their plans. Communications around September 11 arguably proved yet again the power of the Internet as a rapid and diverse information channel 1) and, not surprisingly, British businesses rate on-line communications as either important or very important (85%). While there is recognition of today's 24/7 world, the survey revealed that over 70% of respondents had never successfully utilised their corporate web presence as an issues and crisis communications channel. An equally high proportion (71%) have never conducted an audit of their corporate online brand. Furthermore, a resounding 82% reportedly do not leverage dark site technology (ready-to-go websites), and the majority (59%) have no intention of establishing a site at any stage. However, of those that did (13%), close to a third (30%) established systems in the last six months. Whatever obstacles inhibit the more effective use of corporate websites, British businesses are comfortable with email for stakeholder communications: close to a quarter (24%) opt to provide privileged access to invitation and subscription based sites. On-line monitoring services of news groups and forums are also a popular and accepted issues and crisis preparedness tool, with 50% of British businesses operating some form of on-line watch. Edelman PR Worldwide London conducted its Issues and Crisis Management and Communications Survey in March 2002 to assess crisis preparedness and practice among British businesses in an accelerated period of high profile global events. "Companies are unnecessarily leaving themselves open to risk despite the availability of traditional crisis management tools and leading edge on- line techniques. Our survey shows that senior management can learn from those organisations which are ensuring that their companies are ready and prepared to face the array of complex risks that surround and threaten business organisations today," said Nigel Whittaker, Chairman of Edelman PR Worldwide. The survey coincides with the launch of Edelman London's new Crisis and Issues Management unit. The unit brings together three senior crisis and issues management practitioners who have created a new product, which combines traditional crisis management and preparedness methodology with leading-edge, on-line techniques and a unique real-time media monitoring product. Notes to Editors - The survey was conducted by IPSOS during March 2002 and covered FTSE250 companies and businesses with more than 500 employees. - It covered the following industries: IT & Telecoms; Marketing; Manufacturing; Finance/Banking; Building & Construction; Motor Services; Office Services; Professional Services; Engineering; Retail; Wholesale & Distribution; Leisure, Chemical Processing; Transport; Publishing & Media; Minerals; Charities; and Agriculture. About Edelman A leader in public relations since 1952, Edelman PR Worldwide is a global communications firm with capabilities in all facets of public relations. With 39 offices in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia-Pacific, a staff of 2000, and annual revenues of $238 million, Edelman is the largest independent public relations agency in the world and the sixth largest overall. For further information please contact: Jon Manning, Edelman PR, Tel: +44 (0)20 7344 1324, Email: jon.manning@edelman.com Ian O'Doherty, Edelman PR, Tel: +44 (0)20 7344 1554, Email: ian.odoherty@edelman.com On September 11, 30 million Americans used online tools for news and information updates according to PEW Research Center ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/04/18/20020418BIT00790/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/04/18/20020418BIT00790/wkr0002.pdf