Crisis Communication Firm Washington, D.C.

At Sound Counsel Crisis, we specialize in crisis management. Our expert advisors provide comprehensive guidance on what to communicate and how to communicate it, helping organizations prepare for, respond to, and recover from any crisis. With years of experience working with clients of all types, we’ve helped navigate virtually every imaginable type of crisis. We serve clients in Washington, D.C. with our trusted crisis management services.

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Before a Crisis

Many Washington D.C. organizations are caught off guard by reputation-threatening crises, often because they lack the proper preparation. At Sound Counsel, we specialize in helping organizations transition from a state of unpreparedness to full crisis readiness. Our proven three-step process ensures that you’re equipped to handle any potential crisis.

Step One: Identify Your Vulnerabilities

Most potential sources of a crisis can be easily identified. Others are less obvious. Identifying your vulnerabilities will help you prepare to manage even the most unexpected event.

Step Two: Prepare a Plan

A crisis communications plan should be concise and actionable. Your plan should identify the chain of command, spokespersons, key stakeholders, and methods of communication. Your plan will help you determine when a response is required, who responds, and how best to respond.

Step Three: Practice

Your organization should conduct a crisis drill every year. Your spokespersons should receive crisis media training at least every two years. We will guide your team through a crisis drill and media train your spokespeople.

During Crisis

Your organization’s reputation is the result of years of hard work and dedication, but it can be quickly threatened by a single event. At Sound Counsel, we understand the importance of protecting your reputation during times of crisis. Our expert advisors will work with you to navigate the situation in a way that not only minimizes damage but also enhances your hard-earned reputation. Remember, if you don’t tell your story, someone else will. Let us help you take control of the narrative and come out of the crisis even stronger.

Step One: Prepare to Take Responsibility

It’s human nature to automatically deny responsibility. In many crisis situations, the most important thing you can do is to take leadership in addressing the problem. We help organizations recognize the real threat to their reputation and respond accordingly.

Step Two: Respond Quickly

It’s critical that you respond as quickly as possible. The longer you delay, the worse the problem gets. We help organizations gather and share facts, frame messages, monitor social media and limit damage by being responsive.

Step Three: Be Credible

Consumers, customers, and stakeholders will forgive a mistake but not a coverup. Being credible means being forthcoming, transparent, and truthful. We help organizations determine what to say and how to say it during a crisis.

After Crisis

After weathering the storm, it’s important for your organization to take the right steps in the aftermath of a crisis. At Sound Counsel, we understand that the actions you take after a crisis can be just as crucial to your image as your initial response. That’s why we’re here to help you every step of the way, from tailoring ongoing communications to assessing the impact and making good on promised reforms. With our expert guidance, you can rest assured that you’re taking the right steps to repair and rebuild your reputation.

Step One: Don’t Stop Too Soon

Responding to a crisis can be exhausting. There’s usually a strong desire to move on as soon as possible. When fighting a fire, there’s a risk it could flare up again. Some stakeholders and audiences may require ongoing communication. We help organizations determine when an event needs no further response.

Step Two: Assess the Impact

The crisis has passed. Some members of your team may be prone to gloss over the impact. We help organizations honestly and objectively assess the impact of the event on your image.

Step Three: Make Good on Promised Reforms

An effective crisis response often includes announcing the corrective action or measures that will be taken to make a recurrence less likely. We help organizations communicate making good on their promises.

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Sound Counsel has extensive experience guiding organizations through crisis preparedness, response, and follow-up. We do not provide legal advice. We are crisis communications specialists. Our work is confidential to the extent permitted by law. Please contact us if you would like our help.