Leadership - CIOInsight
Home arrow Leadership arrow Crisis Survival Guide: How to Lead in Tough Times

Leadership Slideshow:
Crisis Survival Guide: How to Lead in Tough Times

By Dennis McCafferty on 2010-08-31


Toyota. BP. Goldman Sachs. All three are huge, traditionally respected brands that have undergone significant crises. Many companies that suffer a devastating turn of fortune don't survive, according to Priscilla Nelson and Ed Cohen, authors of the new book, Riding the Tiger: Leading Through Learning in Turbulent Times (ASTD Press/now available). In the book, Nelson and Cohen provide CIOs and other senior executives with a step-by-step process for getting through a storm with the corporate ship intact. It isn't about “battening down the hatches,” as some leaders instinctively would do. Instead, it's about opening up lines of communications – even more so than when business is going well. The authors speak from experience: both worked for Satyam Computer Services, a company that found itself in the midst of a major accounting-fraud scandal in 2009. At the time, Nelson was global director of people leadership and Cohen was chief learning officer.

LATEST STORIES

BLOGS
 
  • of

87 percent


87 percent of businesses fail to recover from a crisis.

“Lights On” Strategy – Step One


Put all other pending tasks “on hold.” Even if just for a few hours to make assessments.

“Lights On” Strategy – Step Two


Launch an “information safari.” Identify all factors that have contributed to the crisis and discuss with complete transparency before other managers, employees.

“Lights On” Strategy – Step Three


Distinguish fact from fiction. Build confidence among managers by helping them communicate to employees these dynamics openly, effectively.

“Lights On” Strategy – Step Four


Come up with a start-stop-continue worksheet: What must we start doing? What must we stop doing? What must we continue? (All three considerations must speak to company's survival.)

“Lights On” Strategy – Step Five


Develop 30-, 60- and 90-day scenario plans. Determine what is known, what is probable and what is unknown.

The 30-Day Plan


This requires immediate input as the worst days of the crisis are underway. Meet your employees, your customers and your vendors to hear their concerns and to gather ideas.

The 60-Day Plan


Take inventory of your company's current and future value, and begin transitioning in a new direction.

The 90-Day Plan


Focus on rebuilding corporate reputation, re-launching your brand and facilitating future strategies.

Biggest Mistakes a CIO Can Make in a Crisis


Being invisible. Don't hide behind the closed-door meeting. Get out and about. Be available for any and all inquiries.

Biggest Mistakes a CIO Can Make in a Crisis


Trying to get things “back to normal.” Normal now no longer exists. But, in the end, the new reality may make the company and its people stronger.

Biggest Mistakes a CIO Can Make in a Crisis


Thinking you already know the answers. Seeking input with pre-determined prejudice forever clouds perspective.

Biggest Mistakes A CIO Can Make During a Crisis


Canceling an update because “there's nothing more to say.” This only cultivates fear, uncertainty. Staff members, customers, vendors appreciate interaction during trying times.

  • More slideshows

FEATURED SPONSORED VIDEOS

FEATURED SPONSORED ARTICLES

Erasable E-Paper Saves Trees, Cuts Costs

Why Smart Companies Should Adopt the Lessons of Gaming

Interest in Mobile WiFi Hotspots Fuels New Solutions

A Closer Look at Public Cloud Security

View More Articles

  Brought to You By
Click Here



 

Advertisement

Sponsored Links
  • Get up and running in as quickly as 30 days with BI. Learn how today.

  • FREE Securing Smartphones & Tablets for Dummies Book from Sophos
  • 77% of the Fortune 500 Manage Content Securely with Box.
  • Leverage your virtual computing environment with Dell.
  • Build an IT Infrastructure That Delivers the Future
  • 5 New Technologies That Will Change Enterprise ITAdvertisement
  • eWEEK Quick LInks