Worksheet for Step 5:

Formulating Action & Response Strategies

Begin with the basic planning questions. Then address the expanded planning items to the extent they help. Skip any items that don't address your planning needs..

 

 


Basic Planning

What proactive strategies might you develop?

What reactive strategies might you develop?

How consistent are these strategies with past practices of your organization?

 

 


Expanded Planning

Public Relations Initiatives

Is it appropriate to use any of the following approaches?

Action:
Organizational performance
Audience participation
Alliances
Sponsorships
Activism

Communication:
News
Transparent communication

 

Public Relations Responses

Is it appropriate to use any of the following approaches?

Preemptive:
-Prebuttal

Offensive:
-Attack
-Embarrassment
-Threat

Defensive
-Denial (Innocence, mistaken identity, blame shifting)
-Excuse (Provocation, lack of control, accident, victimization, self-defense)
-Justification (Good intention, context, idealism, mitigation

Diversionary
-Concession
-Ingratiation
-Disassociation
-Re-labeling

Vocal Commiseration
-Concern
-Condolence
-Regret
-Apology

Rectifying Behavior:
-Investigation
-Corrective Action
-Restitution
-Repentance

Strategic Inaction:
-Silence

Summarize the response strategy of your organization.

Action/Response Consistency
Is this action/response consistent with past verbal messages of this organization/spokesperson?
Is the action/response consistent with past actions of this organization/spokesperson?
Is the action/response consistent with the mission of this source?
Is the action/response consistent with image of this source?
Is the action/response ethical?