In today’s world, lightning can strike an organization during a severe thunderstorm or out of a clear blue sky. There are a number of ways an experienced crisis management consultant can help your organization safely navigate a crisis, including some you might not be aware of.
The Growing Threat of Crises
Unexpected disasters and painful shocks have always been a part of life, for individuals and organizations. In today’s landscape, the chances that an organization might be struck by a crisis are perhaps greater than ever thanks to the rise of cyberattacks, extreme weather, and global instability and other 21st-century threats.
No organization can eliminate the possibility that it will be hit by a crisis. However, organizations can control their preparation and response to emergencies, and the quality of these measures usually determines whether it experiences a crisis as a manageable challenge or a catastrophic blow.
Crisis Management: A Mature and Proven Discipline
Crisis management (CM) is one of the four main areas of business continuity (along with program administration, business recovery, and IT disaster recovery). Over the years, the discipline of CM has matured greatly, building on the experiences and contributions of countless organizations and individuals.
We now have a very good idea of the steps an organization can take before, during, and after an event to improve its ability to get through an emergency with minimal impact on its staff, stakeholders, and bottom line. These measures have been proven repeatedly in the field and codified in industry standards and best practices.
Top Crisis Management Resources for Do-It-Yourselfers
Because of society’s high interest in improving organizations’ resilience, quality information on how companies can do better at crisis management is freely available from many sources. Among the best government resources are Ready.gov (from the Federal Emergency Management Agency) and the websites of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Industry sources offering quality CM information include ISO 22301 (a leading standard), the Business Continuity Institute (BCI), and the National Fire Protection Association, (publishers of NFPA 1600, another important standard).
Another industry resource you might find worthwhile is MHA Consulting’s own Crisis Management: A Handbook for BCM Professionals, an ebook by myself and MHA Consulting CEO Michael Herrera (free for download with registration).
Given this abundance of quality, free information, any company that wishes to elevate its CM preparedness and response has plenty of places to turn for guidance.
The Option of Hiring a Crisis Management Consultant
Obviously, thanks to the wealth of cutting-edge CM information available, any organization that wants to proceed independently in improving its CM position can do so. However, no organization has to go it alone. Many will lack the time, skillset, or desire to do so. An alternative is to hire a seasoned crisis management consultant to help with any or all aspects of CM program development and emergency management.
In fact, there are many benefits to be gained by working with an outside expert who is intimately familiar with CM best practices and has broad experience in helping other organizations prepare for and manage emergencies.
Let’s look at a few of them.
4 Key Ways a Crisis Management Consultant Can Benefit Your Business
The following are four key ways hiring a crisis management consultant can benefit your business:
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Building the Right Crisis Management Team
One of the first steps in effective crisis management is assembling the right team. A consultant can help you define clear roles and responsibilities, ensuring every team member knows their part during a crisis. Instead of assigning roles based solely on job titles, consultants focus on matching roles to skill sets, ensuring the best fit for critical tasks. Whether your organization needs one centralized team or multiple specialized teams, a consultant can help design an effective crisis management structure tailored to your needs.
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Developing a Practical Crisis Management Plan
Creating a robust crisis management plan can feel overwhelming, especially if you're starting with a blank slate. Consultants bring expertise to outline what should be in your plan, from best practices to communication strategies and actionable steps. They help determine the right level of detail—ensuring it’s practical and actionable rather than overly theoretical. Whether you need a plan created from scratch or a review of an existing one, a consultant can make sure no critical components are missed. This includes scripting key communications, ensuring smooth documentation, and providing a solid starting point to guide your organization through uncertain times.
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Designing and Facilitating Crisis Exercises
Crisis exercises are vital for preparing your team, but they require expertise to execute effectively. Consultants bring the skills needed to design, facilitate, and debrief exercises that simulate real-world events. They help you clarify the purpose of the exercise—whether it’s for training, testing, or scenario planning—and create scenarios that reflect current and emerging risks. A good consultant will also know how to balance providing guidance with letting your team work through challenges, ensuring participants learn and act rather than just observing. From cyber incidents to unexpected operational disruptions, consultants can introduce scenarios your team may not have considered and guide them through best practices for managing them.
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Providing Guidance During an Actual Crisis
When a crisis strikes, a consultant can step in to support your organization at whatever level you require. They won’t make decisions for you, but they could facilitate crisis meetings, offering structure and focus to keep discussions productive and actions on track. Alternatively, they can take a more passive role, listening in on calls to provide guidance as needed or making themselves available for one-on-one phone consultations with the crisis leader. Regardless of the level of involvement, a consultant can help ensure your team stays disciplined, avoids unnecessary delays, and communicates effectively. They can also assist with identifying and coordinating external resources—like PR firms, forensic experts, or legal counsel—so you have the right partners in place. Their flexibility and expertise can make a critical difference when navigating high-pressure situations.
By assisting with these critical tasks, a crisis management consultant helps your business navigate challenges with greater confidence, clarity, and efficiency. Their expertise ensures you’re not just reacting to crises but proactively mitigating their impact, protecting your organization’s operations, reputation, and bottom line.
Navigating Crises With Confidence
Every organization faces the potential for unexpected crises, but how you prepare and respond can make all the difference. Working with an experienced crisis management consultant can provide your team with the tools, structure, and confidence to handle emergencies effectively, minimizing disruption and safeguarding your organization’s future.
By helping you build a capable team, develop a strong plan, run realistic exercises, and manage events in real time, consultants ensure you’re ready for whatever comes your way. In a world of increasing uncertainty, investing in expertise today could mean the difference between thriving and struggling tomorrow.
Are you interested in learning how MHA Consulting can help your organization better prepare for and manage crises? Our team is ready to guide you in building a resilient, effective crisis management program tailored to your needs.
Further Reading
- Beyond Headquarters: Why Every Location Needs a Crisis Management Team
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Crisis Managers
- Weathering the Storm: Achieving Resilience in an Age of Extreme Weather
- 5 Myths of Contemporary Crisis Management
- Don’t Give Up the Ship: Demonstrating the Benefits of Rigorous Crisis Management Training
- Thriving in the Hot Seat: Crisis Communication Do’s and Don’ts
