Services
Issue Management
All—yes, all—members of the sports world have issues. Athletes have strengths and weaknesses which interest the media (and are important to prospective teams) and off-field/off-ice problems like anyone else. Coaches have histories (sometimes unpleasant ones) with specific players or management officials. Teams and organizations have both internal and external tensions and other “sore spots”.
When handled appropriately, though, an issue can be prevented from developing into a serious problem (or, worse, a crisis). Issues management is a process of identifying and pro-actively dealing with issues before they intensify. In some cases, this means actively working to remedy the situation privately, by relying on communications skills to ameliorate internal organization conflicts, for example. In other cases, this means preparing to deal with issues publicly in an interview or press conference.
Prospect’s issues management process leads to the development of a practical, hands-on guide—an “issues sheet” or “issues book” (depending on the size)—which is developed in conjunction with the sports client or organization. Prospect continues to work extensively to help athletes, coaches, agents, teams and organizations identify their core issues, and subsequently to construct and prepare appropriate and credible message strategies that will allow them deal with, and communicate effectively about, these issues
Crisis Preparedness and Crisis Management
The sports world is filled with crises. Athletes, coaches, teams, and even entire leagues sometimes find themselves thrown into seemingly unmanageable circumstances of communications and media crisis. Such situations can ruin reputations (and entire careers), and can cause personal, corporate and financial ruin.
The good news is that most communications and media crises are preventable. The bad news is that most persons and groups are currently entirely unprepared to prevent crises, or to deal with one, should one arise.
Prospect has a long and successful history of approaching crisis situations through a two-domain approach: (a) Crisis Prevention and Preparedness, and (b) Crisis Management.
(A) Crisis Preparedness and Prevention involves a process of foreseeing potential crises catalysts, developing a plan of preventative mitigation (to attempt to ensure that these crises are avoided), and generating forwards-looking preparedness strategies (to deal with these crises should they arise). This process involves “internal auditing” (of the person or organization), and the creation of an Issues Guide. Thorough internal analysis can actually prevent situations from occurring, or at least from developing into a serious and damaging problem which might irrevocably alter credibility and trust. With a little bit of foresight, most clients are never required to engage in active Crisis Management.
(B) Crises Management requires effective, immediate and decisive handling. In times of crisis, proper situation management can mean the difference between the end of a career (or team, or organization) and a mere hiccup. How you behave in the hours, weeks and days following a crisis is of the utmost importance.
If you are experiencing a communications or media crisis outbreak (or see one looming on the horizon), please contact Prospect’s Crisis Line immediately.