What’s in your go-kit?

First of all, I hope you know what a go-kit is. Whether it’s a cardboard box or a crush-resistant, impact-resistant metal case, a go-kit is the container you can grab and run to the site of whatever disaster/crisis hits your company. When it hits the fan is too late to start pulling these items together.

Obviously a laptop computer is one item. Maybe even a satellite phone. Communication is what this is all about, so you need these mechanical tools. How a about a digital camera?

Depending on the size of the company and how many hats you wear, you also may need a company check book to compensate individuals either injured or who suffered property damage. And release forms for individuals who are ready to settle right then and there.

Other items that don’t fit into your go-kit but are equally important:
• "Stealth" Website ready to punch in the pertinent information for news media, g eneral public and even your employees.
• Responsive communication tree both ‘up’ and ‘down’ the communication ladder. Watch for more on this issue in another blog.
• Trained spokesperson on the ground while main spokesperson is en route.
• Expert investigators, as necessary.
• Company or hired-gun defense lawyers to talk to the inevitable ant trail of plaintiff attorneys.

Oh, and for the go-kit, don’t forget a change of underwear!

Wizard of Oz: Number One no-no in crisis management

In my list of issues I address in vulnerability audits I’ll have to add "officer stupidity."

Hometown hero (I live in Austin) John Mackey, chairman and CEO of Whole Foods, was outed as rahodeb, author of years of anonymous blogging that included negative comments about competitors.

Not only was it stupid--exposing this company to public ridicule, FTC scrutiny, and undermining employee confidence--it was amazingly childish. It reminds me of passing notes in class in junior high school, hoping they weren’t intercepted by the teacher, but getting a thrill out of the very process.

One has to wonder whether the chairman of such major business doesn’t have something better to do with his time. I have enough trouble working for my clients and trying to find time for my own blog. I can only conclude that he is the master of delegation!

Now that it has hit the fan, Mackey chooses to address reporter, investor and employee questions via the Whole Foods blog. Who wrote that? His attorneys? That’s how it reads. And a very unsatisfactory read at that.

Hiding behind his blog, Mackey is mimicking the Wizard of Oz rather than addressing the public’s questions. We need to hear his voice and read his body language to judge sincerity. In the meantime, we’re left to imagine our own answers to the questions: The Number One no-no in crisis management is hiding from the public!