As we all know by now, crisis come in all shapes and sizes. We cannot predict when a disaster or crisis will occur or even where. We do know that if we are unprepared to handle a crisis then the probability is that we will suffer serious aftermath issues. We do know for a fact that the difference in companies that survive a disaster and companies that do not, is in a simple word, ..... "Preparation".

In order to survive in today’s fast paced world where news is almost immediate we have to make sure that we can respond just as fast. To do that we have to be prepared.

Examples where companies have been unprepared for the media storm of crisis communications include Exxon, Singapore Mass Rapid Transit, Firestone tyres and many others. The importance of dealing with the fallout and subsequent bad press cannot be unestimated.

Objective

To prepare and advise companies and MNCs on how to survive a potential crisis situation and to ensure a successful recovery programme

The participants at the completion of the course will be able to

1. Understand the importance of communicating effectively
2. communicate to both the internal and external stakeholders
3. communicate to the media the situation
4. control communications flows into and out of the company
5. create an effective crisis communications plan
6. control and command the crisis situation
7. reduce damage to the company image
8. activate a reputation recovery programme

Strategy:
To train and prepare the senior management in all aspects of crisis communications and to develop strategies and communication activities to achieve those aims. Especially important elements include media management skills and governmental relations.

Tactics:
We will use a series of talks and workshops to engage with the management staff. Theses workshops will enable the participants to try out the methods discussed in class and to review their mistakes. The training is very hands-on and participants will learn first hand the dangers and benefits of successful crisis management. It is a very interactive course and participants will be encouraged to use their knowledge to the maximum.

Outline

Day 1 morning:

• Why we need to communicate?
• Basic communication foundation

Day 1 afternoon:

• Crisis situations/ Why it happens
• How do we prepare
• What are issues?
• What do we do in a crisis?
• Crisis communications fundamentals

Day 2 morning:

• Crisis communications strategic plans
• Reputation recovery plans
• Practical exercises

Day 2 afternoon

• Practical crisis communication exercises
• Course assessment exercise

Who should attend

CEOs , MDs, senior staff and other communication staff etc.

Testimonial

Trainer is very experienced in the communication arena. Reassured my crisis communications plans.
Autism Association Singapore

Trainer is brilliant! Very experienced trainer who is able to share a lot of good practices in these fields
Autism Association Singapore

I have learnt beyond the objectives stated. Very good table top activities and role play. Trainer has very good knowledge on subject matter. Thanks!
Yong-en Care Centre

Simulation exercise was great! It is very good course. Thank you.
Singapore Institute of Technology

Gregory Tan's Profile

Gregory’s experience in public relations spans over three decades and includes being consultant with two of the world's biggest PR consultancies - Burson Marsteller and Ogilvy and Mather Public Relations. He specializes in Strategic Communications and Crisis Management.

He is the past President of the Institute of Public Relations of Singapore (IPRS), as well as the former Chairman for the Federation of ASEAN PR Organisations (FAPRO). While president of IPRS, he introduced a complete training scheme for PR practitioners. He was on several advisory bodies like the NTU (Communications Studies), Singapore Hospice Council, and St. Joseph Home. He lectures for Newcastle University, Curtin University and Charles Stuart University of Australia, NUS ( Eng & Comms), the University of Windsor in media training and broadcasting. He is an adjunct lecturer for NTU Wee Kim Wee School of Communications ( for the past 14 years).

In 1986 as the Head of Public Relations for Sembawang Shipyard-the region's largest shipyard, he helped lead the revamp of the image of the group and create an identity for them. He was also AVP of Public Relations of the United Overseas Bank (UOB) in 1985

Some of the companies he worked with in the group included, the Fraser and Neave Group of companies, Asia Pacific Breweries (Tiger Beer), Centrepoint Properties, Asia Dairies, CarnaudMetalBox, Tat Lee Bank, and International Theme Parks. He was the Editor of Labels and Labelling Asia and Tyre Asia, two regional magazines.

He has worked with government organizations like MOE, PUB, and MINDEF on courses in PR and Crisis Communications. He has worked with companies like Levis, Siemens Nixdorf, Boston Scientific, GSK, DuPont, British American Tobacco amongst others have for both training and Strategic Communication Consultancy.

A leading expert in local and international PR- Strategic Communications, Gregory has also traveled extensively both in the region as well as  in Europe and the States to give talks and help official bodies build-up their communication skills. A firm believer in the power of positive communications, he has helped many companies overcome their internal and external communication issues and problems.

He holds a BA (Hons) in Communications Studies from U of Windsor and an MA in Communication Management from Uni S. Australia.