COVID-19 has been formally declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, further highlighting the unprecedented global uncertainty that is still unfolding. Two months later, infection and mortality rates were fluctuating daily, raising anxiety, stirring grief, and casting doubt on the contours of our shared social and economic futures.
The impact on the economy, the workforce, and a broad range of functions and industries, both globally as well as in specific regions across the globe were huge. The business environment was filled with uncertainty and facing challenges to navigate the complex threats while handling mitigation safety protocols. Employees and financial security were at risk in the operating environment.
Even though the vaccine was showing some positive signs on overcoming the spread of the virus, the communication tools became disruptive, leaving the organizations to doubt the security of those apps. Companies that were prepared with the critical event management system, were able to adapt quickly. while many organizations started to plan ahead, invest in a reliable CEM system, share key updates in the secured platform. To keep employees safe while ensuring business continuity when it matters most.
Planning and Preparing
It has been an alternating cycle of offices reopening and closing throughout the pandemic. Regardless of whether businesses are operating at limited or full capacity, medical experts are expecting an ongoing wave of COVID-19 cases. It is imperative that companies remain proactive in order to protect their workers, customers, and operations during the outbreak.
Now is the time for organizations to develop business resilience plans that outline what actions they will take if the local spread of the novel coronavirus occurs or a similar crisis occurs. Organizations can minimize risks and maximize employee safety when they have a plan in place and practice it regularly, especially when employees are suspected or confirmed to have been exposed to COVID-19 in the workplace.
Investing in CEM platform
In the last few years, technological advances have gained significant traction in platforms for crisis, and incident management. AI and machine learning technologies are becoming increasingly adept at making predictions, identifying, and categorizing critical events.
By analyzing past data, artificial intelligence can predict what will happen in the event of a disaster, and that data can then be integrated with online dashboards to enable emergency personnel to respond immediately. The use of data analysis and machine learning resources can also identify earthquake-hit locations that haven’t been assessed or assisted. In its report, Persistence Market Research recommends tech providers utilize these advanced technologies in order to offer improved emergency management.
As technology and social media play an increasingly important role in communications during times of crisis, the capacity to effectively communicate with the public can be improved, using the right tools while managing expectations is key.
Leverage Risk Intelligence
Risk Intelligence provides insight on business parameters as well as the competitive landscape, allowing predictive and prescriptive decision making. Given the enormous insights provided by its analytical output, Risk Intelligence is useful for prioritizing goals and strategic objectives.
By incorporating risk intelligence into their corporate practices, organizations gain a further edge in identifying risks and opportunities. Factual and timely information is increasingly valued. As a result of this, the business can gain a competitive advantage over others. In a successful implementation of the Risk Intelligence system, an organization gains agility and resilience by strengthening its ability to challenge basic assumptions.
A communication plan is vital
Crisis event management relies heavily on communication. Customers and partners benefit from the clarity it provides in the midst of uncertainty and confusion. During a crisis, the primary role of strategic communication is to inspire confidence, gain trust, and engage stakeholders in the organization. Maintaining business continuity and recovering successfully requires clear, consistent communication. It is possible that an organization’s impact could be unnecessarily greater if crisis communication isn’t effective.
The purpose of strategic communication infrastructure is to lay the groundwork for organizations to respond effectively and build customer trust. Identifying and planning for high-likelihood crises is a key element of the company’s crisis management process. The quality of an organization’s crisis communication strategies has a direct impact on how well it can handle actual crises. Crisis management plans should define the roles and responsibilities of the dedicated response teams. A stakeholder inventory and communication channels for each audience should be included.
Conclusion
As businesses navigate business operations during the pandemic into 2021, they will continue to face multiple challenges. Public and private sector leaders have very limited time to get ahead of daily operations before they resemble business operations.
To increase the preparedness for such a crisis, your organization should outline a plan tailored to potential threats and harmful virus mitigation protocols.
Consider integrating risk intelligence, crisis management, and incident management into their crisis management policies and focus employee communications on containing and resolving COVID-19 events as quickly as possible. Leaders analyzing existential threats to their businesses in 2022 and beyond must ensure that employees are safe, informed, and connected during critical events.
Learn more about integrating a Critical event management system for your business with our experts at Zapoj.
