Crisis Consulting

ICM crisis consultants help our clients develop timely, accurate information in the chaotic first hours of a sudden crisis. ICM crisis consultants also help reduce the likelihood of a smoldering crisis erupting or minimize the negative public reaction if disclosure already has occurred.

The ICM staff has assisted companies, non-profit organizations and government agencies in a variety of crises including violent strikes, plants which have contaminated the water supply, oil spills, sexual harassment allegations, workplace violence, executives facing grand jury indictment, product recalls, plant closings, unfounded rumors, a wrongful death investigation, threats by animal rights activists, labor boycotts and a variety of other business disruptions.

The ICM approach in its crisis consulting activities is to review similar crisis situations to determine the chain of aftershocks after the situation was disclosed and define what was done correctly and incorrectly by those involved in managing the crisis. We also can determine the immediate and long term impact of the crisis on the organization’s stock price and market value, if that is of concern to top management.

ICM staff members work with the organization’s management, attorneys and communications staff to develop a plan of action for keeping its key stakeholders informed. Primary emphasis is on employees and their families, customers, investors and other groups that directly affect the organization's, ongoing business operations. The media is kept advised on a timely basis as a part of that plan, but is secondary to the other key groups except when it is important to disclose information to as many people as possible in the shortest time.

In a number of instances, the smoldering crisis in which ICM was called in has never been disclosed to the public because the client’s management, attorneys and ICM worked out a resolution that nullified the situation. This, in our way of thinking, is the most successful crisis management and gives us the most satisfaction.

ICM works behind the scenes as much as possible, with all actions and communications being initiated by the client, even though we have been directly involved in what is done. Our letter of agreement for crisis consulting specifies that we will not disclose the client’s identity, and that they will not disclose that they have retained ICM for a minimum of three years after the crisis.

We feel the client should get credit for whatever actions are taken in the aftermath of a crisis that are favorably received by the public, news media, government officials, customers, investors, etc. without ICM being identified.

To discuss your specific needs or request a proposal call 502-587-0327.