Crisis Ahead

According to an international study, although a majority of companies surveyed did have crisis plans in place, only a minority of them had tested them to ensure the plans would work. In this episode Caroline Sapriel, managing partner of CS&A International, discusses the results of the survey and issues related to the testing of those plans. CS&A International is a risk, crisis, and continuity management firm that serves clients in Europe, Asia, and the United States.

In the coronavirus crisis, the ability of companies and organizations to communicate with employees effectively and efficiently has become more important than ever before. This week’s guest is Gary Ross, president of Inside Comms, a training, coaching, and consulting firm that is focused on internal communications. Ross discusses several aspects of this timely topic including best practices, communication tools, and what some companies are doing right — or wrong.

The pandemic has thrust every leader — whether they are prepared or not—into a crisis situation. Covid-19 has upset financial projections, internal and external communications, and core business models— not to mention the challenges of keeping employees safe and healthy.

In this episode, Andy Freed, CEO of Virtual, inc, an association management company in Massachusetts, discusses the steps he took to pivot his company in the coronavirus crisis, and what others can learn from his experience.

About two-thirds of full-time workers experience burnout in the job, according to a 2018 Gallup poll. In this episode, Janice Litvin, author of the recently published “Banish Burnout Toolkit” shares her advice and insights on how to spot and respond to employee burnout and help prevent it from impacting how your company or organization responds to and manages crisis situations.

The World Health Organization says burnout results from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job; and reduced professional efficacy.

Companies can find themselves in a constant crisis as they seek to win the war against fake news, misinformation, and rumors. A lot can be at stake, including their image, reputation, and credibility.


Goodwill Industries has waged a years-long campaign against a rumor abut the
ownership of the organization. In this episode,Lauren Lawson-Zilai, Senior Director of Public Relations and National Spokesperson for the organization, discusses the steps they have taken to fight against fake news and to set the record straight.

Who is the best person to represent your company or organization in a crisis? What are the best practices for individuals to follow when they are the public face of your company? Mike McCurry, a former White House Press Secretary in the Clinton Administration, discusses the best practices for spokespeople, who he thinks are role models for today’s spokespersons to follow, and why top company officials should be seen and heard in a crisis.

Zoom is an important communication tool for companies and organizations in the coronavirus or other crisis situations.. But like all tools, executives should learn how to use Zoom the right way.

Wendy King is an award-winning Zoom expert who discuss the dos and don’ts of using this widely-used video platform. King-was recently recognized by Ecamm Live, a broadcast software development company, for having the best Zoom tutorials.

Concerned about the slow and uncoordinated response by Minnesota government officials to the civil unrest that followed the murder of George Floyd, PR veteran Paul Omodt and four of his colleagues volunteered their expertise and skills to help public officials manage the crisis. In this interview with host Edward Segal, Omodt recounts what he and his team did, how they did it, and the crisis management lessons others should learn from their experience.

Christine Andrukonis of Notion Consulting shares how how one of their clients —Otsuka Pharmaceutical — was proactive in responding to the pandemic. In his weekly commentary, podcast host Edward Segal discusses how some people and organizations refuse to accept responsibility for their role in creating crisis situations.

Laura Guitar shares her insights and perspectives about the recent crisis in the Dominican Republic in which several American tourists died at different resorts. Guitar has a lot of experience working with clients in the hospitality industry who are having a crisis. She is executive Vice President of RBB Communications in Miami, Florida where she leads Reputation & Risk
Advisors, the agency’s crisis communications and issues management division. In his weekly commentary, Edward Segal discusses the cancel culture.