Normally companies have the chance of dealing with one or two major crises at the same time. But this wasn’t a luxury afforded to Facebook’s VP of Policy Solutions, Lord Allen, when he appeared in front of a committee of lawmakers from nine countries this morning at the UK Parliament in London. Mark Zuckerberg was repeatedly… Read More
A 101 for press conferences
I have no idea why, but today, I’m prompted to share some hints a tips on press conferences. Some key principles: Unless you have something earth-shattering to communicate to all of the media, at the same time – don’t do a press conference; for businesses a conference call is often more effective Use the first… Read More
Oxfam – work begins on ensuring a permanent fix for the aid sector
Since allegations emerged of aid workers participating in sex parties in disaster-stricken Haiti, Oxfam has been fighting a rear-guard action. It’s looked like an organization that was wrong-footed from the outset, never regained the initiative and is struggling to use its undoubtedly noble values as a defence for the defenceless. This is doubly ironic,… Read More
The Presidents Club: the sound of British businessmen in five-speed reverse
20-20 hindsight is a great thing… Bear with me on this, because the fallout from this dinner is a great crisis, business ethics and risk management case study. Case study scenario: Bosses of company X are invited by supplier Y to a charity dinner as their guests where they will be treated to entertainment costing… Read More