Don't panic!
Thoughts on analysing the situation during a crisis.
During a crisis (however big or small) there is significant confusion. This is mainly down to there being too much information flying around and not a great deal of time to deal with it. Everyone is running around with their hats on fire and often there is no time to rationalise the situation with considered analysis. Some lessons can be learned from Military Intelligence. Start by assuming that your competitor, customer or who ever is behind the crisis is behaving rationally and there is a method in their madness. This may not be the case of course, but it is sensible to assume your enemy is not hell bent on going to war with you. Here are 5 key questions to answer to help your thinking to what your rival is up to: 1. Are the directors completely committed to achieving their objective, whatever it is? Is it a priority for them? Are they determined to make it happen? 2. Is their objective attainable? 3. Do they have the capability to achieve their objective straight away or do they have to build up their capabilities to achieve this. 4. Have all options for them been exhausted or do they have alternative actions 5. Is there a significant or low risk to the future wellbeing of your business If you get a firm yes to most of the above questions the chances of the crisis escalating to dangerous levels is very probable. You better get your tin hats on and man the trenches. But at least you know and can react accordingly. However, If you can answer 2 or 3 in the negative then the risk to you is reduced. Either way, you can make your decisions with a better understanding of the situation. Until next time. Graeme 07866 263078