Crisis Communications Best Practices Roundtable SummaryVitiello Communications Group (VTLO) recently invited leaders to participate in a Crisis Communications Best Practices Roundtable via Zoom. CEO Jill Vitiello facilitated the Roundtable with global business and communications leaders. The Roundtable gave participants the chance to brainstorm, discuss best practices, and forge connections with peers outside their own companies.

During the session, Roundtable participants answered questions around six key topics using an interactive polling app that calculated responses in real time. Brief discussion on each topic gave participants the opportunity to share their best practices and raise challenges. Questions and responses are shown below, along with best practices many companies can put to good use.

Webinar Outcomes Summary

Remote work teams Communication channels

Technology

Best Practice: Express empathy, provide one-on-one coaching, be flexible and focus on outcomes.

Crisis content and messaging

Best Practice: Use all available channels, especially video, and including phone calls and texting.

Best Practice: Turn on your camera when using your videoconference platform. People want to hear your words, read your body language, and make a human connection.

Leadership communication

Best Practice: The 2020 Edelman Trust Barometer shows “My Employer” is the most trusted source of information – even about coronavirus. Provide employees reliable, consistent communications.

Wellbeing

Best Practice: Make it OK for team members to break away for a quick walk outdoors. Check in with people.

Best Practice: Remember: "People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

The COVID-19 crisis poses new leadership and communications challenges for many companies. Our free resources can help. Visit https://vtlo.com/covid-19/.