8 Steps To Handling A Crisis

Ok it has to happen. Despite all he careful planning, despite it can’t happen to me attitude problems are a natural part of life and we have to deal with them. In business a problem ignored will inevitably grow to a crisis.

If we bury our head in the sand it will jump on our back. So let’s get real, let’s behave like adults and prepare for the unavoidable slings and arrows that will come our way sometime. We’ve got a crisis. Sales are falling, costs are rising, we’ve lost parcels in the post or the computer with all our business contacts on has just crashed out on us. You get the idea. It’s a crisis.

Who’s fault is it? Forget it, it doesn’t matter. We haven’t got time to form a circle and point at one another. Form a circle but make sure the rifles are pointing outwards. First we first with the problem. Once we have it sorted and the ship is back on an even keel we can look into what were the reasons involved in causing the crisis. Until then let’s deal with the problem.

1. What is the problem? Define it, write it down be clear about what the problem is. You should be able to write it down, there’s no room for vagueness, we need to know exactly what we are dealing with. How is it impacting on the business.

2. Get control. You are the leader of your business whether it’s a home based business that you run from your bedroom or a multinational. You are the boss, the commanding officer you have to show leadership. Stand tall and be confident. Wilting under pressure is for wimps.

3. Stay calm and logical. Get the facts. I used to love those old war films where a submarine had just been depth charged. Water is spraying everywhere; pipes are falling off, bodies are laid over the deck plates and the submarine is diving straight for the bottom and about to implode. Everyone is on the brink of panicing, then the captain, holding onto a rung of the metal ladder leading up to the conning tower calmly asks for the damage report. The calmness in his voice restores confidence. You are the captain. It doesn’t matter how fast the submarine is sinking get that damage report. If you haven’t got the facts you can’t provide solutions. Get the facts.

4. By now you should know what the problem is. You should have the facts to support your assessment of what has gone wrong. Write them down. Now think of solutions to the problem.

5. Deploy your solutions and monitor the results. Believe in your ability to deal with the problem. Listen to feedback from others but don’t let them sway you once you have made your decision to deal with the problem. You have by this stage, established what the problem is, what caused it, what affect it is having on the business and you have deployed your carefully thought out solution. Give it time to work.

6. Take relaxed decisions. Don’t be rushed, don’t be panicked. Whatever has gone wrong has happened, stressing out over it will not solve the problem faster. Sit down and relax a while.

7. Tell people what’s going on. If you employ staff keep them informed if you work from home tell your partner that you are having a problem. Don’t sulk and lock yourself in the office answering all questions in monosyllabic grunts.

8. Once the crisis is over assess what happened. Why did it happen? This is not a time for the blame game it’s a time for logically making decisions and implementing systems that will prevent the problem from recurring.

Pat yourself on the back you’ve arrested the descent of the submarine and you are rising fast to the surface.

Problems are unavoidable in business that’s what makes it fun. When they arrive at your door stay calm and work your way through the 8 point plan. You are the commander. You can lead your business out of it.