In Case of Pandemic, Break Glass

Mike Donoghue is a member of a multinational information technology corporation where he collaborates on the communications guidelines and customer relationship strategies affecting the interactions with internal and external clients. He has analyzed, defined, designed and overseen processes for various engagements including product usability and customer satisfaction, best practice enterprise standardization, relationship/branding structures, and distribution effectiveness and direction. He has also established corporate library solutions to provide frameworks for sales, marketing, training, and support divisions.

  Communications Management   CRM   Risk Management   Stakeholder Management  

The word “pandemic” is enjoying wide distribution these days because of true concern on behalf of health professionals, but also because of hyper-vigilant media outlets that are hungry for material that draws in readers/viewers. In the past, we may have been concerned about epidemics (situations where new cases of a disease impact a more localized population), but with the increase in global interactions and commercial interconnectivity, the concern over the spread of an epidemic over larger bodies of people and countries has necessitated the discussions over what can be done should a pandemic manifestation occur.

The possibility of such an outbreak makes it important for organizations to have a readiness plan in place. This is so an enterprise has adequate preparation and response mechanisms in place in order to keep the operation running during a period of hardship. Regardless of how you may feel somewhat protected or isolated from such an occurrence, having a readiness plan can also serve as an important reinforcement to customers and stakeholders who are dependent upon your continued performance and success.

By having a plan in place, key actions necessary to the overall operation of the organization can be identified both on a task and personnel level. The “best laid plan”, as the expression goes, involves readiness on many fronts, access…

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