What Has The BP Crisis Taught Businesses?

Online, June 15, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Businesses, environmental agencies and citizens across the world have been gripped by the current BP crisis occurring in the Gulf of Mexico. For along with the spill itself wreaking havoc to our defenceless environment we are also witnessing one of the world most powerful brands flounder as it tries to stop the leak and, so far, unsuccessfully minimise the damage to their already tarnished reputation.

As we all suck up every piece of negative press being dealt to BP, much of which is very deserving, small to medium businesses should also take a second to consider "what if it was me". Does your business have the necessary marketing and public relation processes and policies in place to ensure a swift and effective response to any unsavoury press or dramatic incidents?

Poor reputation management can have devastating effects; BP serves as a prime example. The company has been criticised by the globe both in the media, by the president of the United States and humiliated by a faux Twitter account. Despite responding to the oil spill with a PPC campaign, televised adverts and a dedicated Gulf of Mexico Response page their response to what has been described as the environmental equivalent to 9/11 has been slow and sloppy without any real management, plus has anyone heard BP actually say sorry?

For every business it is important to have a plan in place for a worst case scenario incident, because when crisis hits it is vital to take action as soon as possible.