Commentary From Crisis Management Expert Edward Segal, Bestselling Author of the Award- Winning Book “Crisis Ahead: 101 Ways to Prepare for and Bounce Back from Disasters, Scandals, and Other Emergencies” (Nicholas Brealey) Howard Schultz’s announcement this month that he will end his third run as Starbucks’ CEO early next year was a reminder for boards of directors about the importance of having and updating corporate leadership succession and transition plans. Like Starbucks, some…

Commentary From Crisis Management Expert Edward Segal, Bestselling Author of the Award- Winning Book “Crisis Ahead: 101 Ways to Prepare for and Bounce Back from Disasters, Scandals, and Other Emergencies” (Nicholas Brealey) It is not unusual for companies to reduce their workforce in response to crises: Industry upheavals. Revenue shortfalls. Global pandemics. But if employers decide to fire people en masse on Zoom—or use other impersonal approaches—they can create a second crisis that…

Commentary From Crisis Management Expert Edward Segal, Bestselling Author of the Award- Winning Book “Crisis Ahead: 101 Ways to Prepare for and Bounce Back from Disasters, Scandals, and Other Emergencies” (Nicholas Brealey) Whether pressured by customers and public opinion or because they thought it was the right thing to do, many companies ramped up their corporate activism by taking a public stand against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the murder of George Floyd and climate…

Commentary From Crisis Management Expert Edward Segal, Bestselling Author of the Award- Winning Book “Crisis Ahead: 101 Ways to Prepare for and Bounce Back from Disasters, Scandals, and Other Emergencies” (Nicholas Brealey) Actor Will Smith apologized to Chris Rock a day after he slapped the comedian in response to a joke about Smith’s wife at the Academy Awards ceremony in Hollywood, California. As angry as Smith was with Rock, he could have handled the situation better. Brandy Aven…

Commentary From Crisis Management Expert Edward Segal, Author of the Award- Winning Book Crisis Ahead: 101 Ways to Prepare for and Bounce Back from Disasters, Scandals, and Other Emergencies (Nicholas Brealey) The ability to successfully manage expectations can help deflect criticism that can lead to a crisis for organizations. It can also put an ongoing crisis into perspective and create understanding or sympathy for what the organization— and their leaders—are going through. IRS…