What should you do when things go wrong . . . very wrong on your construction site?
Most contractors have some sort of emergency plan and system in place — but a crisis is still a daunting experience, especially when the news media shows up unannounced. We might know how to deal with insurance, safety inspectors and the like — and even have specialized consultants on call — but how many people in the business have an emergency media relations specialist on hand?
I think, likely, very few. Outside of some exceptionally large or well organized practices and businesses, the construction industry doesn’t really think much about the media, except, I fear, for stereotyped approaches and communications. So, yes, you’ll line up your staff with the giant charity cheque or arrange for a bunch of gold shovels for a ground-breaking ceremony. You probably could go your entire career without a real media-sensitive accident or incident.
Then the four-letter-word hits the fan. No time to think. No knowledge of what to do. And you dig yourself into a gigantic reputational hole by saying the wrong things at the wrong time, ill prepared for the consequences, stressed, and fearful of your future.
Of course specialized consultants are available for this type of situation, and one of them – Steve Gray of Rockford Gray based in Denver, Colorado, provided some tips and advice to members of the General Contractors Association of Ottawa annual general meeting last night.
Gray of course recommends the prevention/planning approach — developing the crisis plan and training staff on the situation before things go wrong. But he acknowledges that most contractors will only appreciate the value of his service when they’ve experienced a media crisis first-hand. So, in outlining his services and some basic survival strategies, he suggests the use of a “buy time statement” and then you call his office right away — 24/7 — for emergency consulting advice.
I won’t steal Gray’s thunder — and marketing and lead development materials — here. You can download the Buy Time statement and a 12-step emergency action plan at his website (in exchange for your contact information).
