An Interactive Guide to Post-Crisis Recovery for Goverment Agencies in Australia
This tool translates the core tenets of post-crisis communication into an exploratory experience. Navigate through the foundational principles, tactical playbooks, and strategic recommendations for effective reputation management in the aftermath of a crisis.
Core Principles of Post-Crisis Communication
Every message and action must be guided by these foundational principles to rebuild trust and credibility.
Transparency & Honesty
Be forthright about what happened, what you know, and what you are doing. Avoiding bad news erodes credibility faster than the truth.
Timeliness & Consistency
Communicate swiftly, regularly, and with one voice across all channels. Silence creates a vacuum that will be filled by rumor and speculation.
Empathy & Sensitivity
Acknowledge the human impact of the crisis. A human tone, free of jargon, demonstrates genuine concern and builds rapport.
Accountability
Take responsibility for mistakes. Blaming others or being defensive damages credibility and prolongs the entire recovery process.
The Post-Crisis Communication Playbook
Follow this step-by-step guide to systematically rebuild trust, engage stakeholders, and repair your organization's reputation. Click each step for details.
Adapting Strategies to the Crisis
Communication strategies are not one-size-fits-all. Select a crisis type to explore how key tactics must be adapted to the specific situation.
Key Tactics:
Relative Importance of Tactics
Overcoming Communication Pitfalls
The post-crisis environment is a minefield. A single misstep can derail recovery. Click on each card to reveal how to navigate these common challenges.
Strategic Recommendations
Actionable insights to build a more resilient, transparent, and trusted organization for the modern crisis communicator.
1. Institutionalize the Post-Crisis Review
Make the after-action review a formal, required step. Ensure findings are integrated into updated plans and training.
2. Prioritize Continuous Stakeholder Engagement
Build relationships during "blue sky" times. This pre-existing trust is your most valuable asset when a crisis hits.
3. Champion Radical Transparency & Empathy
The default position must be honesty, openness, and accountability. This is the only path to rebuilding credibility.
4. Build a Cross-Functional, Well-Trained Team
Integrate communications with leadership, legal, operations, and HR. Conduct regular training and joint drills.
5. Invest in a Modern Comms & Monitoring Toolkit
Use real-time media monitoring to stay ahead of the narrative and multi-channel platforms to ensure messages reach all stakeholders.
