CrisisGuard - a new approach to crisis management

We at docleaf have been aware of the need to provide a service for smaller companies, who do not have the resources (or money) to invest in a bespoke crisis management plan, but who are still vulnerable to the risk of crises (who isn't?)

Our newly launched CrisisGuard plan gives members a full 24/7 crisis response service, so that you will have expert help in managing your crises from a range of specialists. If you thought crisis management was too costly for your business, think again. CrisisGuard membership starts from as little as £60 per month.

Click here to get more information on CrisisGuard, and contact us here to get a quote.

The Anatomy of a Financial Meltdown

Watching the stock market nosedive in recent weeks, the consequences of the crash might be more urgent in our thoughts than the origins of the crisis. In the long run however, many will look back and ask how it all started.

In this controversial article, Peter Cappelli from Wharton Management School argues that the causes of the troubles stem from the leadership, or lack of it, at the top of the major instituations. In particular, he blames the way that top executives are incentivised as a cause of reckless behaviour. Read on here.

Burger King fights online fire with fire

What do you when you suddenly find your brand being trashed online thanks to the dubious (and distinctly unhygienic) actions of an employee? What if the actions are viewed by a million people?

Burger King's response to just such a crisis was to engage with their stakeholders through the same media that broadcast the issue it was fighting - You Tube, of course. Read Augie Ray's posting on the Experience blog here.

Crisis management, Common sense

"If you're around long enough, every company has a crisis - what you're judged by is how you handle it". So says Jeffrey Bell of Gallatin Public Affairs from Spokane, Washington. There is copious evidence to back up Bell's words and indeed support the assertion that the return on investment in crisis planning is indisputable.

In a concise and well-argued article in the Spokane Journal, Kim Compton sets out some of the simple steps of creating your own crisis plan and why it should be an integral part of your company strategy.

Read the article here:

docleaf Briefs

London (Reuters) - A bargain was to be had last week, courtesy of an unusual auction on eBay.

The troubled north Atlantic nation Iceland, which went cap in hand to Russia for a 4 billion euro (3.2 billion pound) loan to bail out its failed banks, was offered for sale as a wholesale lot on eBay last week.

Bidding started at 99 pence but had reached 10 million pounds ($17.28 million) by mid-morning on Friday.

Globally renowned singer Bjork was "not included" in the sale, according to the notice, but there were nonetheless 26 anonymous bidders and 84 bids.

"Located in the mid-Atlantic ridge in the North Atlantic Ocean, Iceland will provide the winning bidder with -- a habitable environment, Icelandic Horses and admittedly a somewhat sketchy financial situation," the notice read.

Bidders' questions included: "Do you offer volcano/earthquake insurance?," "Is it possible that my payment will be frozen?," and "Will you accept C.O.D. as a form of payment?"

And finally... divorce is messy at the best of times, but this "agreement" surely takes some beating. A Cambodian couple hoping to avoid the country's convoluted divorce process have separated by sawing their house in half, local authorities said Thursday.
(AFP PHnom Penh)

Husband Moeun Rim and wife Nhanh divided their house, some 90 kilometers (56 miles) northeast of the capital Phnom Penh, into two parts last month after deciding to separate, Cheach commune chief Vorng Morn told AFP by telephone.

"They agreed to split the house into two parts. The part that belongs to the husband has been removed, but the one that belongs to the wife is standing upright there. She stays there during the daytime," Vorng Morn said.

He said the couple, who are both around 40, decided to split after the husband accused the wife of not taking care of him when he was ill.

He added they divided their land into four parts; two for their son and daughter, and two for them.