Crisis Talk: Turning Chaos into Strategic Communication
11/20/24 • 27 min
When disaster strikes and reputations are on the line, are you ready to communicate your way through the storm? Effective crisis communication is a cornerstone of business resilience, as highlighted in this discussion with Melissa Hodgson, a seasoned PR and Communications Expert. Drawing from over three decades of experience, Melissa emphasizes the importance of proactive planning to mitigate business emergencies, from natural disasters to reputation crises. She shares insights on why organizations must anticipate vulnerabilities and cultivate trusted relationships with communication specialists. Moreover, she stresses the role of transparency, respect, and tactful messaging in managing public and media narratives, even when sensitive issues arise. This episode serves as a powerful reminder to prioritize readiness and strategic communication to maintain trust and credibility during crises.
About our Guest:
Melissa Hodgson, ABC APR, is an award-winning public speaker, PR practitioner and proven leader with a unique perspective on crisis communication. As vice president at Gambel Communications, Melissa provides crisis communication counsel and oversees best-in-class public relations services for Gambel clients.
With more than 30 years’ experience in public relations and issues management, Melissa has successfully represented her employers and clients in proactive and reactive communication environments.
Melissa is accredited by both the International Association of Business Communicators (ABC) and Public Relations Society of America (APR). The dual accreditation indicates her commitment to the rigorous national and international standards for senior communicators. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communication theory and public relations from the University of Alabama.
About the Host:
Your host, Maartje van Krieken, brings a wealth of experience from the front lines of business turmoil. With a background in crisis management, managing transformation and complex collaboration, she has successfully guided numerous organizations through their most challenging times. Her unique perspective and practical approach make her the go to First Responder in the arena of business turmoil and crisis.
Podcast Homepage: https://www.thebusinessemergencyroom.com/
https://www.thechaosgamesconsulting.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maartje/
Thanks for listening!
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When disaster strikes and reputations are on the line, are you ready to communicate your way through the storm? Effective crisis communication is a cornerstone of business resilience, as highlighted in this discussion with Melissa Hodgson, a seasoned PR and Communications Expert. Drawing from over three decades of experience, Melissa emphasizes the importance of proactive planning to mitigate business emergencies, from natural disasters to reputation crises. She shares insights on why organizations must anticipate vulnerabilities and cultivate trusted relationships with communication specialists. Moreover, she stresses the role of transparency, respect, and tactful messaging in managing public and media narratives, even when sensitive issues arise. This episode serves as a powerful reminder to prioritize readiness and strategic communication to maintain trust and credibility during crises.
About our Guest:
Melissa Hodgson, ABC APR, is an award-winning public speaker, PR practitioner and proven leader with a unique perspective on crisis communication. As vice president at Gambel Communications, Melissa provides crisis communication counsel and oversees best-in-class public relations services for Gambel clients.
With more than 30 years’ experience in public relations and issues management, Melissa has successfully represented her employers and clients in proactive and reactive communication environments.
Melissa is accredited by both the International Association of Business Communicators (ABC) and Public Relations Society of America (APR). The dual accreditation indicates her commitment to the rigorous national and international standards for senior communicators. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communication theory and public relations from the University of Alabama.
About the Host:
Your host, Maartje van Krieken, brings a wealth of experience from the front lines of business turmoil. With a background in crisis management, managing transformation and complex collaboration, she has successfully guided numerous organizations through their most challenging times. Her unique perspective and practical approach make her the go to First Responder in the arena of business turmoil and crisis.
Podcast Homepage: https://www.thebusinessemergencyroom.com/
https://www.thechaosgamesconsulting.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maartje/
Thanks for listening!
Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.
Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!
Subscribe to the podcast
If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.
Leave us an Apple Podcasts review
Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.
Previous Episode
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About the Host:
Your host, Maartje van Krieken, brings a wealth of experience from the front lines of business turmoil. With a background in crisis management, managing transformation and complex collaboration, she has successfully guided numerous organizations through their most challenging times. Her unique perspective and practical approach make her the go to First Responder in the arena of business turmoil and crisis.
Podcast Homepage: https://www.thebusinessemergencyroom.com/
https://www.thechaosgamesconsulting.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maartje/
Thanks for listening!
Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.
Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!
Subscribe to the podcast
If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.
Leave us an Apple Podcasts review
Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.
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Picture a workplace where chaos thrives, not because people lack talent, but because communication falters and goals feel uninspiring. Could the solution to this turmoil lie in something as simple—and powerful—as better communication and inspired goal-setting? In this episode, we explore how leaders and employees can build better workplace dynamics by tackling these challenges head-on. The conversation delves into the concept of "bad bosses," not as individuals, but as behaviors that can be corrected through communication and self-awareness. Ken shares his unique approach to goal setting, emphasizing the importance of inspiration and energy in achieving clarity and focus amidst chaos. The discussion also highlights the power of declaring intent and fostering open communication to create empowered, collaborative environments. Ending on an optimistic note, Ken reminds listeners that challenges always resolve, even if not easily, and encourages resilience.
About our Guest:
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Get Ken's Book - STUPID Goals Blueprint: The Antidote to Toxic SMART Goals
About the Host:
Your host, Maartje van Krieken, brings a wealth of experience from the front lines of business turmoil. With a background in crisis management, managing transformation and complex collaboration, she has successfully guided numerous organizations through their most challenging times. Her unique perspective and practical approach make her the go to First Responder in the arena of business turmoil and crisis.
Podcast Homepage: https://www.thebusinessemergencyroom.com/
https://www.thechaosgamesconsulting.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maartje/
Thanks for listening!
Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.
Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!
Subscribe to the podcast
If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.
Leave us an Apple Podcasts review
Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.
The Business Emergency Room Podcast - Crisis Talk: Turning Chaos into Strategic Communication
Transcript
Maartje van Krieken: Hi. Thanks for tuning in today. This is The Business Emergency room, and I'm here today with Melissa Hodgson. Melissa is a communications and PR expert, and with over 35 years experience, and has done 20 of those in the hospital environment, so definitely knows what an emergency room does and communications around it in a in a different setting. Today, of course, we're going to take it back to the business context. And the reason I'm really happy
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