Companies are professionally prepared, measures can still be expanded
Vienna (OTS) –
- Strong awareness of the image, no fear of the media
- Cyber, ESG and employer issues are a cause for concern
- High professionalism among communicators
- Employees in focus
The current trend survey by Leitbetriebe Austria and the award-winning Leitbetriebe P8 Marketing shows that crisis management is a major priority in Austrian companies. “Leading companies are well prepared for multiple crises. “This is evidence of far-sighted corporate policy and practiced transparency by decision-makers,” says Monica Rintersbacher, Managing Director of Leitbetriebe Austria, with conviction.
High awareness of the image
For 67% of the companies surveyed, crisis management has a high or very high priority – and the trend is rising.
Image, credibility and professionalism are the main reasons for crisis communication. Georg Hofherr, Managing Director of P8 Marketing: “The high awareness of companies for their image confirms the importance of integrated crisis communication. Companies do not see traditional media as drivers of crises, but rather as a reputable channel for transparently transmitting factual information to the public.”
The most common crises include events in the company’s environment, such as environmental events. But cyber, ESG and employer issues are also becoming increasingly important. 67% say that cyber topics will require more preparation in the future. The survey concluded that companies must constantly keep their finger on the pulse of the times and understand these potential crisis drivers as key image issues.
Speed kills, factfullness wins
Almost 80% of companies communicate crises within the first two hours. According to those surveyed, active, fast, factual information transfer is the decisive factor for initial communication. In 2/3 of the companies there is a responsible person or a separate department for crisis management.
Crisis communication is perceived to be significantly better in private companies than in public or political institutions. The industrial, banking and insurance sectors are viewed particularly positively.
Classic tools & employees in focus
When it comes to crisis prevention, companies primarily rely on manuals, scenarios and training courses. When communicating, they rely on direct conversations, classic emails and internal information systems. Employees play a crucial role in this. 65% say they inform employees first in the event of a crisis. They are clearly seen as transmitters, assessors and amplifiers of information. Nevertheless, according to the survey, only a quarter of companies carry out workshops or simulations. The structural measures in crisis management can still be greatly improved.
Award-winning risk communication system from P8 Marketing
With the established risk communication system, P8 Marketing was able to win the “best agency in Austria and Switzerland” award at the European Excellence Awards in 2023 – and thus one of the largest European industry awards.
P8 provides comprehensive support to over 70 companies and helps them to prepare sustainably for crises, to deal with them in a structured manner and to minimize reputational damage in the event of a crisis.
About the survey:
Goal: Query trends and practices in crisis communication
Access: not representative trend survey on relevant topicsTotal participants = 112
Time frame: April and May 2024
Sectors: Industry, tourism, trade, public institutions
Conducting the survey via the market insight platform Quantilope
Questions & Contact:
LBA Leitbetriebe GmbH
Silvia Kelemen
Heiligenstädter Straße 43, 1190 Vienna
M +43 664 200 17 56 E presse@leitbetriebe.at