I’d like to preface this blog post with this: I realize that if this blog were my child, it would have been taken away for neglect. I’ll be writing a blog about what’s been taking up all my time tomorrow but until then, fellow FPRA-er Lauren Novo has been kind enough to write the following blog post. Thanks Lauren, for feeding my malnourished child, metaphorically speaking of course. Check out her (regularly updated) blog here.
PR professionals are taught to hope for the best but to prepare for the worst; to always have a plan of action ready in the event of a disaster. It’s called a crisis communication plan, and every pro should have one.
Last week, on an FRPA (Florida Public Relations Association) student trip, I found myself in an undesirable situation and couldn’t help but wish I had a crisis communication plan of my own. The three day trip promised to be an informative and insightful look at some top industry leaders of the Orlando area; we were to visit a local PR firm, the Florida Hospital, Darden Restaurants, Orlando Magic and Universal Studios. Needless to say, I was stoked.
Never did I anticipate being sick for most of it. The runny nose and sore throat were at the forefront of my immune system failure. By the time I was headed to Orlando, my body was full of various over-the-counter medicines, none of which had any effect. On day one of meetings, my eyes were still completely red.
I don’t consider myself a vain person, but I don’t leave home in glasses. Ever. They are neither trendy nor the correct prescription, so wearing them on what was supposed to be a professional outing was downright horrifying. My lackluster look was the least of my concerns, however. My eyes, sporting a new “bloodshot” appearance, twitched at bright lights and became teary at virtually everything.
At a typical professional event, I enjoy asking the speaker relevant questions, introducing myself and at the very least, making eye contact during the presentation. That simply wasn’t going to happen in Orlando. In my one attempt to ask a question, the speaker gave a thoughtful, in-depth response and thought I was crying by the end of it. Humiliating? Yes.
My experience was no fortune 500 crisis, but it affected me negatively nonetheless. I didn’t want to leave an impression as a bloody-eyed, disease-ridden individual who couldn’t contain her sniffles. In the end, it just seemed best to learn as much as possible and stay under the radar.
But what would you have done? Do you have a personal crisis communication plan of your own when things don’t go as planned? What if this had happened during a crucial interview? Or during a presentation that you were giving? Sometimes, I think we just have to do the best with the hand we’ve been dealt. But maybe there’s a secret, and if so, I’d love you to share.



