At Bottom Line Communications we tell clients they need to plan today for a potential future crisis. Some heed that advice; others ignore it.
Ever wonder how fast you or your company’s reputation can come tumbling down?
Take the case of “America’s Got Talent” superstar Timothy Poe, who was on top of the world for his heartwarming performance before millions of viewers. He was listed as “Tim Poe, War Veteran.”
A few days later he is being vilified and harrassed.
Poe, who spoke with a speech impediment on the show reportedly caused by a combat injury wowed the judges (see video below). Within a day it was revealed he was never in combat. People even questioned if his speech impediment was legitimate. He was promptly kicked off the show and is now receiving death threats.
Don’t think something like this can happen to you or your business? How about the viral video of Domino Pizza employees a few years ago bragging about putting disgusting things in the food they serve?
Obviously, Poe is an extreme case of a person caught lying. But similar situations can also arise in a business setting with employees.
Bottom Line developed a crisis communications plan for a construction firm that attempted to cover potential crisis scenarios. Unfortunately, within months an employee was buried in a trench. The company was able to handle the situation professionally without damage to its reputation.
Benjamin Franklin may have said it best: “It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it”