Communication During Pandemic Outbreak
Proper communication during a Pandemic Influenza-Infectious Disease (PF-ID) Outbreak is an incredibly vital part of how a organization successfully navigates the uncharted waters of surviving the economic hardships inevitably caused by a Pandemic Outbreak.
As the pandemic outbreak evolved, this is a series of discussion will be on the Pandemic Preparedness and Business Continuity and Crisis Management perspectives.
Proper communication is the make-it-or-break it for handling a Pandemic, and communication can be the difference between an organization weathering through the Pandemic with no casualties or an infected employee walking through the door unchecked.
Strong Communication principles can safeguard employees, reduce the chance of infection, and keep operations running smoothly even while the proper measures are in place, while weak communication can lead to employees taking unnecessary risks in a time of heightened danger.
Communication to Stakeholders
Communication with stakeholders during a Pandemic Outbreak can be divided into two distinct categories of stakeholders.
- Internal
- External
Internal Stakeholders
Internal stakeholders are entities within the business or organization. They can be the employees, managers, board of directors, and even shareholders/investors of the organization.
For internal stakeholders, it is important that each and every staff member of the organization understands how to conduct themselves during a Pandemic Crisis. Depending on the current state and severity of the Pandemic, employees should be informed of measures put in place, such as split teams and temperature screening stations at all building entrances.
External Stakeholders
External stakeholders, on the other hand, involves members of the public who have an interest in the performance of the organization. Examples include consumers, creditors, and the news media.
For external stakeholders like the media, the organization will put out news of the measures in place to keep their employees safe to reassure the general public that everything is being done to safeguard lives and ensure the infectious disease is not being spread within the walls of an organization
Manage the Relationships
Managing the relationship of both groups is a key priority task during a crisis. In retrospect to communicating during a pandemic outbreak, have we considered:
- What are the communication strategy and channels to consider?
- What text, voice or video technology to deploy?
- What discipline must be enforced to ensure no fake news scenarios are prevented?
- What are the pre-prepared holding statements that can be pre-approved now?
Reference Guide
Goh, M. H. (2016). A Manager’s Guide to Implement Your Infectious Disease Business Continuity Plan, 2nd Edition. GMH Pte Ltd.
Do You Want to Continue Training During A Pandemic Outbreak?
Due to the pandemic outbreak, BCM Institute will be conducting its certification courses via interactive video conferencing, online and e-learning mode. Find out more about the Business Continuity Management (BCM) and Crisis Management (CM) Blended Learning (BL) courses.
For this period, the content will include the managing and implementing of the Pandemic Influenza plans.
