{"id":37032,"date":"2020-03-24T16:24:19","date_gmt":"2020-03-24T20:24:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/?p=37032"},"modified":"2025-05-30T03:43:54","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T07:43:54","slug":"crisis-communication-plan-templates-for-leaders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/crisis-communication-plan-templates-for-leaders\/","title":{"rendered":"10+ Crisis Communication Plan Templates for Leaders + Managers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/37w41oj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37065 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Crisis-Communication-Plan-Header.png\" alt=\"Crisis Communication Plan Header\" width=\"3750\" height=\"1962\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Anxious employees. Falling profits. Unhappy customers. Huge organizational changes.<\/p>\n<p>A crisis has hit and your business needs to respond&#8211;now.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s where a crisis communication plan comes in; it allows your company to quickly and effectively keep all stakeholders informed in the event of an emergency.<\/p>\n<p>Crisis management plans, such as an emergency response plan, help prevent loss of life and mitigate the impact of lost revenue.<\/p>\n<p>In this post, we\u2019ve put together<strong> a package of free crisis communication and management plan templates for leaders <\/strong>to ensure your company is prepared to weather any storm.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Crisis Communication Plan Templates:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#1\">All Company Announcement<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#2\">Leadership Team Communication<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#3\">Crisis Communication Plan Examples<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#4\">Risk Assessment Chart<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#5\">Business Impact Analysis Worksheet<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#6\">Business Continuity Worksheet<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#7\">Financial Projections Report<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#8\">Emergency Response Plan<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#9\">Emergency Preparedness Checklist<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#10\">Crisis Communication Plan FAQ<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>All these\u00a0free crisis communication plan templates can be customized with our online drag-and-drop editor. Sign up to use the tool is also free.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"1\"><strong>Send all-company announcements as part of your business\u2019s crisis communication plan<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>In a time of crisis, it\u2019s even more important to stay in touch with your entire company. Communicating from the top is crucial in this challenging time.<\/p>\n<p>Adapt the\u00a0below template to send to your employees:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/newsletters\/all-company-announcement-newsletter-c58e8c2c-ba97-4b87-97f6-2afc109c50e7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37204\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/All-Company-Announcement-Newsletter-Template.png\" alt=\"Crisis Communication Plan Template\" width=\"800\" height=\"2079\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><center><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/newsletters\/all-company-announcement-newsletter-c58e8c2c-ba97-4b87-97f6-2afc109c50e7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"btn-cta\" data-darkreader-inline-color=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-boxshadow=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgimage=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor=\"\"><b>CREATE THIS NEWSLETTER TEMPLATE<\/b><\/button><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<p><strong>Design Tip<\/strong>: Our drag-and-drop editor lets you change the background color with one click. Choose from our color wheel or apply gradients, patterns and more.<\/p>\n<p>Coinbase has sample crisis communications messaging you can adapt for your own business. You can also check out\u00a0our other\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/email-newsletter-templates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">email newsletter templates<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Here&#8217;s another idea<\/strong>: create graphics\u00a0that summarize your new guidelines so managers can easily share them in Slack or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getmailbird.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">email<\/a>. Employees can save them\u00a0to their desktops.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Here are\u00a0a few crisis\u00a0guidelines you can visualize:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/remote-team-templates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Work from home policy<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Meeting\u00a0guidelines: whether you plan to use Zoom, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/nvlpubs.nist.gov\/nistpubs\/SpecialPublications\/NIST.SP.800-46r2.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Telework security<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/emergencies\/diseases\/novel-coronavirus-2019\/situation-reports\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WHO recommendations<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lumity.com\/leave-laws-covid-19\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sick leave policy<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Policies around <a href=\"https:\/\/lifelabslearning.com\/lab\/ally\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">xenophobia and other stigma<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/emergencies\/diseases\/novel-coronavirus-2019\/travel-advice\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Travel guidelines<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Self-isolation or shelter-in-place policy<\/li>\n<li>Self-care recommendations, use this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/docs\/default-source\/coronaviruse\/coping-with-stress.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WHO graphic<\/a> as a guide<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/coronavirus\/2019-ncov\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Most recent government recommendations<\/a><\/li>\n<li>External visitor policy<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osha.gov\/SLTC\/covid-19\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Workplace safety<\/a> guidelines<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For example, you can customize the below template to outline current health policies (no handshakes, onsite health checks required etc.):<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/infographics\/stocks-and-shares-9b9bbcf8-aa0e-4b5a-a5c9-6e053f3f8222\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37071\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Stocks-Infographic-Template.png\" alt=\"crisis communication plan template \" width=\"800\" height=\"1035\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><center><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/infographics\/stocks-and-shares-9b9bbcf8-aa0e-4b5a-a5c9-6e053f3f8222\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"btn-cta\" data-darkreader-inline-color=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-boxshadow=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgimage=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor=\"\"><b>CREATE THIS INFOGRAPHIC TEMPLATE<\/b><\/button><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<p><strong>Design Tip<\/strong>: Swap out the icons to reflect your ideas by clicking them in our editor. Click the Replace button to access our in-editor icon library.<\/p>\n<p>Try a <a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/features\/process-infographics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">process infographic<\/a> to outline a standard operation, like steps to washing your hands:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/infographics\/the-planning-process-d89aae1e-e360-46d4-8007-07dbcb4ff1d9\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37072\" style=\"border: 2px solid #ddd;\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Planning-Process-Infographic-Template.png\" alt=\"crisis communication plan template\" width=\"816\" height=\"1056\" data-darkreader-inline-border-top=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-right=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-bottom=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-left=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><center><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/infographics\/the-planning-process-d89aae1e-e360-46d4-8007-07dbcb4ff1d9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"btn-cta\" data-darkreader-inline-color=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-boxshadow=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgimage=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor=\"\"><b>CREATE THIS INFOGRAPHIC TEMPLATE<\/b><\/button><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<p>This infographic works well to deliver <a href=\"https:\/\/www.powerhomebiz.com\/working-from-home\/productivity\/how-to-increase-productivity-when-working-from-home-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tips to employees on working remotely<\/a> or staying healthy (mentally and physically):<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/infographics\/5-happy-tips-428b5552-8502-43a2-b457-43544c89f65b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37073 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Happiness-Tips-Infographic-Template.png\" alt=\"crisis communication plan template\" width=\"700\" height=\"906\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><center><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/infographics\/5-happy-tips-428b5552-8502-43a2-b457-43544c89f65b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"btn-cta\" data-darkreader-inline-color=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-boxshadow=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgimage=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor=\"\"><b>CREATE THIS INFOGRAPHIC TEMPLATE<\/b><\/button><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<p>You may also need to communicate revised timelines:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/infographics\/simple-timeline-5406a671-7840-41c3-8412-ec83e7ab500b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37075\" style=\"border: 2px solid #ddd;\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Simple-Timeline-Infographic.png\" alt=\"crisis communication plan template\" width=\"800\" height=\"1035\" data-darkreader-inline-border-top=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-right=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-bottom=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-left=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><center><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/infographics\/simple-timeline-5406a671-7840-41c3-8412-ec83e7ab500b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"btn-cta\" data-darkreader-inline-color=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-boxshadow=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgimage=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor=\"\"><b>CREATE THIS INFOGRAPHIC TEMPLATE<\/b><\/button><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<p>Check out our post on <a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/remote-team-communication\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">remote team communications<\/a>\u00a0for more templates.<\/p>\n<p>You can also refer to our post on <a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/how-to-make-an-infographic-in-5-steps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">how to make an infographic in 5 steps<\/a> for practical design tips.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"2\"><strong>Include regular updates to management in your crisis communication plan<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Other than communicating with your entire team, it\u2019s also important to stay in close contact with your management team and send them personalized instructions to get them through this challenging time.<\/p>\n<p>Your managers will play a crucial role in:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Clarifying goals<\/li>\n<li>Setting routines (whether your company is going fully remote or otherwise adapting)<\/li>\n<li>Answering questions about new policies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It\u2019s important to guide them on how to communicate with their team. It\u2019s an enormous responsibility and one you need to guide them through carefully. And don\u2019t forget to keep them abreast of the company\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/2020\/03\/what-are-companies-legal-obligations-around-coronavirus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">legal responsibilities<\/a> during this time.<\/p>\n<p>Try putting your recommendations in a one-page graphic that they can save to their desktop and refer back to:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/infographics\/leadership-team-communication-list-infographic-6946d070-e66b-49dd-a285-62ac6876a6b5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37203\" style=\"border: 2px solid #ddd;\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Leadership-Team-Communication-List-Infographic-Template.png\" alt=\"Crisis Communication Plan Template\" width=\"800\" height=\"1755\" data-darkreader-inline-border-top=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-right=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-bottom=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-left=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><center><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/infographics\/leadership-team-communication-list-infographic-6946d070-e66b-49dd-a285-62ac6876a6b5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"btn-cta\" data-darkreader-inline-color=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-boxshadow=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgimage=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor=\"\"><b>CREATE THIS INFOGRAPHIC TEMPLATE<\/b><\/button><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<p><strong>Design Tip<\/strong>:\u00a0Upload your logo and easily drag it into\u00a0any of our crisis communication plan examples. Grab the edges of the bounding box to resize.<\/p>\n<p>You can also adapt either of the below templates to include your crisis communications guidelines:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/infographics\/simple-effective-tips-infographic-7b324b36-124f-4d8b-b145-124d05ee1b90\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37088\" style=\"border: 2px solid #ddd;\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Simple-Effective-Tips-Infographic-Template.png\" alt=\"crisis communication plan template\" width=\"800\" height=\"1035\" data-darkreader-inline-border-top=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-right=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-bottom=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-left=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><center><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/infographics\/simple-effective-tips-infographic-7b324b36-124f-4d8b-b145-124d05ee1b90\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"btn-cta\" data-darkreader-inline-color=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-boxshadow=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgimage=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor=\"\"><b>CREATE THIS INFOGRAPHIC TEMPLATE<\/b><\/button><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/infographics\/blue-youtube-banner-tips-infographic-97c00d34-cc42-4b61-bcb5-359a1db8e1c6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37091\" style=\"border: 2px solid #ddd;\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Blue-YouTube-Banner-Tips-Infographic-Template.png\" alt=\"crisis communication plan template\" width=\"800\" height=\"1035\" data-darkreader-inline-border-top=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-right=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-bottom=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-left=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><center><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/infographics\/blue-youtube-banner-tips-infographic-97c00d34-cc42-4b61-bcb5-359a1db8e1c6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"btn-cta\" data-darkreader-inline-color=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-boxshadow=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgimage=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor=\"\"><b>CREATE THIS INFOGRAPHIC TEMPLATE<\/b><\/button><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/infographics\/computer-aided-design-list-infographic-ec7e2c79-fac1-4538-88fc-f8d301c20031\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37092\" style=\"border: 2px solid #ddd;\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Computer-Aided-Design-List-Infographic-Template.png\" alt=\"crisis communication plan template\" width=\"800\" height=\"1000\" data-darkreader-inline-border-top=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-right=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-bottom=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-left=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><center><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/infographics\/computer-aided-design-list-infographic-ec7e2c79-fac1-4538-88fc-f8d301c20031\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"btn-cta\" data-darkreader-inline-color=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-boxshadow=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgimage=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor=\"\"><b>CREATE THIS INFOGRAPHIC TEMPLATE<\/b><\/button><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<p><strong>Design Tip<\/strong>: Try making each different section a list of recommendations such as \u201cguidelines for 1-on1s\u201d and \u201cteam rituals to implement.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Review our <a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/leadership-infographics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">leadership infographic<\/a> templates or templates to help marketing teams to go remote for more ideas.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"3\"><strong>Use a crisis communication plan to keep outside stakeholders informed<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>In an ideal world, your company would have a crisis communication plan in place before an emergency hits.<\/p>\n<p>That said, even if a crisis is in its initial stages you may still have time to put together a\u00a0plan\u00a0to help you mitigate the impact on your business, especially if you use a communication plan template.<\/p>\n<p>A crisis communication plan is a business\u2019s blueprint for how they will communicate if an emergency or other crisis strikes. It should contain how a company intends to communicate and who it needs to communicate with, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ready.gov\/business\/implementation\/crisis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ready.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>A crisis communication plan should contain the following:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Purpose of the plan<\/li>\n<li>Who can activate the plan and what circumstances would allow them to do so<\/li>\n<li>Steps to take re: internal and external communication<\/li>\n<li>Who is responsible for what channels of communication (email, Twitter, intranet, press release etc.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This crisis communication plan\u00a0template\u00a0will help you create your own:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/plans\/simple-crisis-communications-plan-286df4c0-bc33-4b46-89f9-04150fd10b32\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37206\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Simple-Crisis-Communications-Plan-Template.png\" alt=\"crisis communication plan template\" width=\"800\" height=\"2096\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Design Tip<\/strong>: Click any of the text boxes to add your own words to any of our crisis communication plan examples. Change the font, size and color with a couple of clicks. No design experience required.<\/p>\n<p>You can also customize this consulting template to write a crisis communication plan:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/proposals\/gray-business-consulting-proposal-f856d61e-dbfc-40eb-adcf-07dd8e59343a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37093\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Simple-Business-Consulting-Proposal-Template.png\" alt=\"crisis communication plan template\" width=\"800\" height=\"2129\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><center><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/proposals\/gray-business-consulting-proposal-f856d61e-dbfc-40eb-adcf-07dd8e59343a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"btn-cta\" data-darkreader-inline-color=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-boxshadow=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgimage=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor=\"\"><b>CREATE THIS PROPOSAL TEMPLATE<\/b><\/button><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<p><strong>Design Tip<\/strong>: Simply change the headers and table of contents. About Us can become the purpose of the crisis plan. Project Summary can become activation criteria.<\/p>\n<p>Check out our other <a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/consulting-report-template\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">consulting report templates<\/a>\u00a0and <a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/letterheads\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">letterhead templates<\/a> for more ideas. Nonprofits will find our\u00a0nonprofit crisis communications\u00a0templates helpful.<\/p>\n<p>You can also use this <a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/mind-map-examples\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mind map<\/a> to have a quick visual reference. Put the crisis in the center, the stakeholders in the next set of nodes and the appropriate response in the smallest nodes.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/mind-maps\/light-colorful-simple-mind-map-27cb6c5b-f905-489b-a8a6-7b8fc5429582\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37094\" style=\"border: 2px solid #ddd;\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Light-Colorful-Simple-Mind-Map-Template.png\" alt=\"crisis communication plan template\" width=\"800\" height=\"618\" data-darkreader-inline-border-top=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-right=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-bottom=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-left=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><center><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/mind-maps\/light-colorful-simple-mind-map-27cb6c5b-f905-489b-a8a6-7b8fc5429582\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"btn-cta\" data-darkreader-inline-color=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-boxshadow=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgimage=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor=\"\"><b>CREATE THIS MIND MAP TEMPLATE<\/b><\/button><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<p>You can also use a <a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/flow-chart-template\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">flow chart<\/a> to help visualize your\u00a0crisis plan:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/diagrams\/monotone-customer-support-flowchart-1964f38e-cc9f-47ca-bee9-d312b2571317\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37096\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Monotone-Customer-Support-Flowchart-Template.png\" alt=\"crisis communication plan template\" width=\"800\" height=\"618\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><center><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/diagrams\/monotone-customer-support-flowchart-1964f38e-cc9f-47ca-bee9-d312b2571317\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"btn-cta\" data-darkreader-inline-color=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-boxshadow=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgimage=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor=\"\"><b>CREATE THIS CHART TEMPLATE<\/b><\/button><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<p>Be sure to get your crisis communication plan authorized by management and legal so it can be deployed quickly in the event of a crisis. There may be a directive to shelter in place and\u00a0getting approvals will be more difficult.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"4\"><strong>Do a risk assessment to see what hazards could impact your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>A risk assessment looks at hazards that could face your business and what impact they\u2019d likely have. It&#8217;s an integral part of a complete crisis management plan.<\/p>\n<p>This risk assessment example\u00a0will help you determine which risks your business faces, what assets are at risk as a result and the potential impacts to your business as a result:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/reports\/risk-assessment-table-chart-dddcb236-9f9e-4614-b1ac-a9646ff47c1f\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37207\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Risk-Assessment-Table-Chart-Template.png\" alt=\"crisis communication plan template\" width=\"800\" height=\"623\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><center><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/reports\/risk-assessment-table-chart-dddcb236-9f9e-4614-b1ac-a9646ff47c1f\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"btn-cta\" data-darkreader-inline-color=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-boxshadow=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgimage=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor=\"\"><b>CREATE THIS REPORT TEMPLATE<\/b><\/button><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<p><strong>Design Tip<\/strong>: In the editor, double click on the chart to edit\u00a0it like a spreadsheet&#8211;we&#8217;ll resize the cells for you.\u00a0Or add a link to your Google Sheets spreadsheet and we&#8217;ll automatically import the data.<\/p>\n<p>Hazards can include hurricanes, pandemic and fire. And no two individual hazards will be alike, due to when the incident happens, where it happens and the magnitude of the hazard.<\/p>\n<p>For example, a panademic\u2019s impact will be contingent on the nature of the virus, government reaction to its spread, whether people obey a stay-at-home or shelter-in-place order, time of year (warmer climates may inhibit its spread) etc.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"5\"><strong>Use a business impact analysis to understand how you can recover from a crisis<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>A business impact analysis looks at the consequences of a disturbance to normal business operations and collects the data necessary to pull together possible recovery strategies, as well as prevention and mitigation strategies.<\/p>\n<p>The scenarios that cause this disturbance can be identified in a <a href=\"#4\">risk assessment<\/a>.\u00a0Customize\u00a0this\u00a0business impact analysis\u00a0template to make your own:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/reports\/business-impact-analysis-worksheet-91e076ec-d196-4b8f-b39d-6f87b91aca04\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37208\" style=\"border: 2px solid #ddd;\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Business-Impact-Analysis-Worksheet-Template.png\" alt=\"crisis communication plan template\" width=\"800\" height=\"618\" data-darkreader-inline-border-top=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-right=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-bottom=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-left=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><center><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/reports\/business-impact-analysis-worksheet-91e076ec-d196-4b8f-b39d-6f87b91aca04\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"btn-cta\" data-darkreader-inline-color=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-boxshadow=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgimage=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor=\"\"><b>CREATE THIS REPORT TEMPLATE<\/b><\/button><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<h3><strong>A business impact analysis worksheet should help you assess:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>When and how long an emergency would take to have the greatest financial impact<\/li>\n<li>Operational impacts, which will depend on your business (customer defection, lost sales, overtime labor etc.)<\/li>\n<li>Financial impact due to operational impact<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve analyzed the impact to your business, use this template to figure out a strategy to boost sales or at least mitigate the impact:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/plans\/light-strategic-sales-action-plan-d539f02d-1dd0-4a92-b47f-cd77a9582ba4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37175\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Light-Strategic-Sales-Action-Plan-Template.png\" alt=\"crisis communication plan template\" width=\"800\" height=\"1035\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><center><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/plans\/light-strategic-sales-action-plan-d539f02d-1dd0-4a92-b47f-cd77a9582ba4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"btn-cta\" data-darkreader-inline-color=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-boxshadow=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgimage=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor=\"\"><b>CREATE THIS PLAN TEMPLATE<\/b><\/button><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"6\"><strong>Use a business continuity plan template to see what resources you need to weather a crisis<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>A business continuity plan ensures that a company is prepared to continue business even in the event of a crisis.<\/p>\n<h3>A business continuity plan has four components:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>A business impact analysis<\/li>\n<li>Identifying resources needed for recovery strategies<\/li>\n<li>Developing a crisis plan<\/li>\n<li>Exercises and testing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In short, a business continuity plan looks at what crisis could impact a company, <a href=\"https:\/\/thedigitalprojectmanager.com\/resource-management-software\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">what resources are needed<\/a> to combat a crisis and any current gaps in resource requirements.<\/p>\n<p>This business continuity plan template will help you pull together all these considerations:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/reports\/business-continuity-worksheet-543bc090-0a1a-4076-bf5f-0975fb6e03df\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37210\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Business-Continuity-Worksheet-Template.png\" alt=\"crisis communication plan template\" width=\"1056\" height=\"816\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Design Tip<\/strong>: Our easy table editor lets you add and delete columns and rows in your crisis management plan with a couple of clicks&#8211;it&#8217;s just like using Excel or Google Sheets. You can also automatically import your Google Sheets data by pasting in your document link.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"7\"><strong>A financial projections template is essential to reassess profit in the wake of a crisis<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>In the wake of a crisis, your business\u2019s finances may be in jeopardy. You may be facing not only lost revenue but extra expenses as well.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s prudent to reassess your revenue in light of projected disruption to your normal operations and see exactly how much profit will be reduced.<\/p>\n<p>A financial projections template will help you present your findings to less financially-literate stakeholders:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/reports\/modern-financial-projection-report-57f54e4c-a604-4bc8-8c16-874bafb12686\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37176\" style=\"border: 2px solid #ddd;\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Modern-Financial-Projection-Report-Template.png\" alt=\"crisis communication plan template\" width=\"800\" height=\"1035\" data-darkreader-inline-border-top=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-right=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-bottom=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-border-left=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><center><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/reports\/modern-financial-projection-report-57f54e4c-a604-4bc8-8c16-874bafb12686\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"btn-cta\" data-darkreader-inline-color=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-boxshadow=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgimage=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor=\"\"><b>CREATE THIS REPORT TEMPLATE<\/b><\/button><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<p><strong>Design Tip<\/strong>: Our simple chart editor lets you edit any of the <a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/how-to-choose-the-best-charts-for-your-infographic\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">charts<\/a> in our templates easily. Double click any chart and add new data, change the colors etc. We&#8217;ll\u00a0adjust the chart automatically for you.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/charts\/blue-bar-chart-2de23562-c101-430d-bd70-33cd5691a6bb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37177 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Monthly-Profit-Bar-Chart-Template.png\" alt=\"crisis communication plan template\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><center><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/charts\/blue-bar-chart-2de23562-c101-430d-bd70-33cd5691a6bb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"btn-cta\" data-darkreader-inline-color=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-boxshadow=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgimage=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor=\"\"><b>CREATE THIS CHART TEMPLATE<\/b><\/button><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<p>After all, insurance or government measures to mitigate the loss to businesses will likely not cover all loss to revenue. And if your competitors somehow escape impact, then you will certainly face the impact of loss of customers or clients to this competition.<\/p>\n<p>Once you&#8217;ve made your projections, check out the U.S. Small Business Administration&#8217;s disaster loan assistance\u00a0for small businesses and private nonprofits, if need be, as well as the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sba.gov\/page\/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">small business interruption loan program<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"8\"><strong>Draft an emergency response plan to protect the lives of your employees<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>An emergency response plan starts with a <a href=\"#4\">risk assessment<\/a> and then identifies resources you need to react to the emergency and procedures and plans you can put in place to prepare your company for an emergency.<\/p>\n<p>Life safety should be the focus of any emergency response plan, followed by neutralizing the emergency and softening the effects of damage.<\/p>\n<p>Your emergency response plan should contain the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Goals of your crisis plan<\/li>\n<li>What an emergency response team should do during an emergency<\/li>\n<li>Any regulations that must be considered, like a fire code.<\/li>\n<li>An evacuation plan<\/li>\n<li>Severe weather\/tornado sheltering plan<\/li>\n<li>Lockdown plan<\/li>\n<li>Medical emergency plan<\/li>\n<li>Fire emergency plan and fire protection services<\/li>\n<li>Emergency response team members<\/li>\n<li>Public emergency service contact information<\/li>\n<li>Warning systems and communications available<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This emergency response plan template has all the essentials to craft a comprehensive strategy:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/plans\/emergency-response-plan-6872ed35-f034-4edd-b6f5-ce05a77240ba\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37212\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Emergency-Response-Plan-Template.png\" alt=\"crisis communication plan template\" width=\"800\" height=\"2096\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><center><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/plans\/emergency-response-plan-6872ed35-f034-4edd-b6f5-ce05a77240ba\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"btn-cta\" data-darkreader-inline-color=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-boxshadow=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgimage=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor=\"\"><b>CREATE THIS PLAN TEMPLATE<\/b><\/button><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<p><strong>Design Tip<\/strong>: Copy any page in this\u00a0crisis management plan or click &#8220;add page.&#8221; Follow our table of contents&#8217; guidelines on page two to built a complete crisis plan.<\/p>\n<p>You can also include the key points of your plan in a one-page emergency response plan:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/flyers\/earthquake-emergency-informational-pamphlet-ec1a1026-2a0a-42aa-bd1b-d814a1991ab6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37178\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Earthquake-Emergency-Informational-Pamphlet-Template.png\" alt=\"crisis communication plan template\" width=\"800\" height=\"1035\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><center><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/flyers\/earthquake-emergency-informational-pamphlet-ec1a1026-2a0a-42aa-bd1b-d814a1991ab6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"btn-cta\" data-darkreader-inline-color=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-boxshadow=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgimage=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor=\"\"><b>CREATE THIS FLYER TEMPLATE<\/b><\/button><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fema.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FEMA.gov<\/a> has excellent resources to help your business prepare further for an emergency.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"9\"><strong>Review an emergency preparedness checklist<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Assess how ready your\u00a0business is for an emergency with a simple emergency preparedness checklist.<\/p>\n<p>Need help developing crisis management plans? Discover our <a href=\"#4\">risk assessment example<\/a>, <a href=\"#6\">business continuity plan template<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"#8\">emergency response plan template<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/checklist\/emergency-preparedness-checklist-b8a90f8e-f774-494a-83b2-4f5d57fbd4e4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37214\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Emergency-Preparedness-Checklist.png\" alt=\"crisis communication plan template\" width=\"800\" height=\"2086\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><center><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/checklist\/emergency-preparedness-checklist-b8a90f8e-f774-494a-83b2-4f5d57fbd4e4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"btn-cta\" data-darkreader-inline-color=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-boxshadow=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgimage=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor=\"\"><b>CREATE THIS CHECKLIST TEMPLATE<\/b><\/button><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<p><strong>Design Tip<\/strong>: Open our icon library in our drag-and-drop editor to drag in check marks. Or print out the checklist (paid plans only, learn more on our <a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/pricing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pricing page<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Or try a <a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/what-is-a-decision-tree\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">decision tree<\/a> to decide on how to react in what scenarios:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/diagrams\/simple-error-flow-chart-2e61950e-29f9-412f-b4c3-43b91a3756b2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37179\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Simple-Error-Flow-Chart-Template.png\" alt=\"crisis communication plan template\" width=\"800\" height=\"1035\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><center><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/diagrams\/simple-error-flow-chart-2e61950e-29f9-412f-b4c3-43b91a3756b2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"btn-cta\" data-darkreader-inline-color=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-boxshadow=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgimage=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor=\"\"><b>CREATE THIS CHART TEMPLATE<\/b><\/button><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<p>You can also use this org chart to determine succession i.e. who\u2019s responsible for what in the event that a member of the team is unavailable.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/diagrams\/simple-corporate-organizational-chart-3c861564-d493-45eb-9899-e08885c2bfdd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37180\" src=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Corporate-Organizational-Chart-Template.png\" alt=\"crisis communication plan template\" width=\"800\" height=\"618\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><center><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/diagrams\/simple-corporate-organizational-chart-3c861564-d493-45eb-9899-e08885c2bfdd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"btn-cta\" data-darkreader-inline-color=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-boxshadow=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgimage=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor=\"\"><b>CREATE THIS CHART TEMPLATE<\/b><\/button><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<p>Remember, a crisis management plan will only work in a crisis situation if the team members receive adequate training beforehand and get to practice their decision-making in a mock crisis situation.<\/p>\n<p>Crisis response guidelines and the team\u2019s decision making ability must be tested before an actual emergency occurs.<\/p>\n<p>You can also use this simple <a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/infographics\/timeline\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">timeline template<\/a> to outline your crisis management plan:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/infographics\/a-brief-timeline-3cbadda8-497a-4dcb-9736-3b7deede3f18\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37181\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/thumbnails.venngage.com\/template\/3cbadda8-497a-4dcb-9736-3b7deede3f18.png\" alt=\"crisis communication plan template\" width=\"800\" height=\"1035\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><center><a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/templates\/infographics\/a-brief-timeline-3cbadda8-497a-4dcb-9736-3b7deede3f18\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"btn-cta\" data-darkreader-inline-color=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-boxshadow=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgimage=\"\" data-darkreader-inline-bgcolor=\"\"><b>CREATE THIS INFOGRAPHIC TEMPLATE<\/b><\/button><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<p>Check out our other <a href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/project-plan-template\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">project plan templates<\/a> to help visualize your strategy.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"10\"><strong>Crisis Communication Plan FAQ:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>What is a crisis communication plan?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>A crisis communication plan is an internal document a company uses to prepare for an emergency or other crisis. It contains a blueprint so that a business is prepared for how to communicate with stakeholders when a crisis happens.<\/p>\n<p>These stakeholders can include the media, general public, customers, clients, suppliers, partners and employees.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>The crisis communication plan should address:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>What needs to be done as soon as the crisis happens.<\/li>\n<li>Who needs to be reached and how<\/li>\n<li>How to prevent the crisis from reoccurring (if applicable)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Overall, the goal of a crisis communication plan is to prepare a company to react quickly to a crisis and deploy the necessary information rapidly. It should also ensure that all company messaging is aligned and consistent.<\/p>\n<p>While a business\u2019s response will vary based on exactly what the crisis is, write a blueprint that can be adapted no matter the emergency at hand. A crisis communication plan template will help you include the right information.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Why do you need a crisis communication plan?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>You need a crisis communication plan because in the digital age, if your company doesn\u2019t tell its story someone else surely will&#8211;and it probably won\u2019t be the story you want told.<\/p>\n<p>And it\u2019s not enough to simply react, you must be prepared with a crisis communication plan to respond immediately, accurately and appropriately, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ready.gov\/business\/implementation\/crisis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Department of Homeland Security<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A crisis communication plan template will make sure your business has identified ahead of time which stakeholders need to be addressed and through what channels (press release, email etc.)<\/p>\n<h3><strong>How do you write a crisis communication plan?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>To write a crisis communication plan, you first need to identify:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Possible crisis scenarios<\/li>\n<li>Who will form your crisis management team<\/li>\n<li>Appropriate internal and external messaging and draft potential responses<\/li>\n<li>Decide what level of response is needed for which scenarios<\/li>\n<li>What media training is necessary<\/li>\n<li>Audiences that need to be reached, such as:\n<ul>\n<li>Employees<\/li>\n<li>Customers<\/li>\n<li>Suppliers<\/li>\n<li>Family of employees<\/li>\n<li>News media<\/li>\n<li>Government regulators, officials etc.<\/li>\n<li>Immediate community near a facility<\/li>\n<li>Impacted survivors and their families<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Our\u00a0<a href=\"#3\">crisis communication plan examples<\/a> above are a good place to start.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>What should be included in a crisis communication plan?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Here\u2019s what should be included in a crisis communication plan:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Risk assessment: what threats face your business, what business functions would be affected and resources needed to protect said functions.<\/li>\n<li>The crisis management team: names, emergency contact information, responsibilities<\/li>\n<li>Audience contact information (see list of potential audiences above)<\/li>\n<li>Outline alert notification system that can communicate to multiple stakeholders and is not reliant on a single network<\/li>\n<li>Establish a notification system for employees\u2019 immediate families and caregivers of children or dependent adults.<\/li>\n<li>A system to include and train new hires on the crisis communication plan.<\/li>\n<li>A plan to set up a hidden hotline or website to activate in the event of a crisis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Get started with our\u00a0<a href=\"#3\">crisis communication plan templates<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Anxious employees. Falling profits. Unhappy customers. Huge organizational changes. A crisis has hit and your business needs to respond&#8211;now. That\u2019s where a crisis communication plan comes in; it allows your company to quickly and effectively keep all stakeholders informed in the event of an emergency. Crisis management plans, such as an emergency response plan, help [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":72,"featured_media":37065,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false},"categories":[198],"tags":[260],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v17.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"These free crisis communication plan templates will help your business quickly develop crisis response plans and navigate any emergency.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/crisis-communication-plan-templates-for-leaders\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Crisis Communication Plan Templates for Leaders - Venngage\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"These free crisis communication plan templates will help your business quickly develop crisis response plans and navigate any emergency.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/crisis-communication-plan-templates-for-leaders\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Venngage\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Venngage\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-03-24T20:24:19+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-05-30T07:43:54+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Crisis-Communication-Plan-Header.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"3750\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1962\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@venngage\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@venngage\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Bronwyn Kienapple\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"18 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"Venngage\",\"description\":\"Learn to Communicate with Data\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/crisis-communication-plan-templates-for-leaders\/#primaryimage\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Crisis-Communication-Plan-Header.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Crisis-Communication-Plan-Header.png\",\"width\":3750,\"height\":1962,\"caption\":\"Crisis Communication Plan Header\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/crisis-communication-plan-templates-for-leaders\/#webpage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/crisis-communication-plan-templates-for-leaders\/\",\"name\":\"Crisis Communication Plan Templates for Leaders - Venngage\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/crisis-communication-plan-templates-for-leaders\/#primaryimage\"},\"datePublished\":\"2020-03-24T20:24:19+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-05-30T07:43:54+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/fe28ef2b976dc5f20d53cc4167bd094e\"},\"description\":\"These free crisis communication plan templates will help your business quickly develop crisis response plans and navigate any emergency.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/crisis-communication-plan-templates-for-leaders\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/crisis-communication-plan-templates-for-leaders\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/crisis-communication-plan-templates-for-leaders\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Blog\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Business Communication\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/category\/business\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"10+ Crisis Communication Plan Templates for Leaders + Managers\"}]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/fe28ef2b976dc5f20d53cc4167bd094e\",\"name\":\"Bronwyn Kienapple\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/#personlogo\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c4faf00ca46e8d27fa2e4a54b77dfb1c?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c4faf00ca46e8d27fa2e4a54b77dfb1c?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Bronwyn Kienapple\"},\"description\":\"Bronwyn Kienapple is the Content Marketing Lead at Venngage. Her writing on design and business communications has been published in Foundr, 99 Designs, DIY Marketers and more. She was also an ESL teacher for 5 years, taught business English and designed her own courses and teaching materials.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/bkienapple\/\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/author\/bronwyn\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"description":"These free crisis communication plan templates will help your business quickly develop crisis response plans and navigate any emergency.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/crisis-communication-plan-templates-for-leaders\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Crisis Communication Plan Templates for Leaders - Venngage","og_description":"These free crisis communication plan templates will help your business quickly develop crisis response plans and navigate any emergency.","og_url":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/crisis-communication-plan-templates-for-leaders\/","og_site_name":"Venngage","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Venngage","article_published_time":"2020-03-24T20:24:19+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-05-30T07:43:54+00:00","og_image":[{"width":3750,"height":1962,"url":"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Crisis-Communication-Plan-Header.png","type":"image\/png"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@venngage","twitter_site":"@venngage","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Bronwyn Kienapple","Est. reading time":"18 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/","name":"Venngage","description":"Learn to Communicate with Data","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/crisis-communication-plan-templates-for-leaders\/#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Crisis-Communication-Plan-Header.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/venngage-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Crisis-Communication-Plan-Header.png","width":3750,"height":1962,"caption":"Crisis Communication Plan Header"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/crisis-communication-plan-templates-for-leaders\/#webpage","url":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/crisis-communication-plan-templates-for-leaders\/","name":"Crisis Communication Plan Templates for Leaders - Venngage","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/crisis-communication-plan-templates-for-leaders\/#primaryimage"},"datePublished":"2020-03-24T20:24:19+00:00","dateModified":"2025-05-30T07:43:54+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/fe28ef2b976dc5f20d53cc4167bd094e"},"description":"These free crisis communication plan templates will help your business quickly develop crisis response plans and navigate any emergency.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/crisis-communication-plan-templates-for-leaders\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/crisis-communication-plan-templates-for-leaders\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/crisis-communication-plan-templates-for-leaders\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Business Communication","item":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/category\/business\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"10+ Crisis Communication Plan Templates for Leaders + Managers"}]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/fe28ef2b976dc5f20d53cc4167bd094e","name":"Bronwyn Kienapple","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/#personlogo","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c4faf00ca46e8d27fa2e4a54b77dfb1c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c4faf00ca46e8d27fa2e4a54b77dfb1c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Bronwyn Kienapple"},"description":"Bronwyn Kienapple is the Content Marketing Lead at Venngage. Her writing on design and business communications has been published in Foundr, 99 Designs, DIY Marketers and more. She was also an ESL teacher for 5 years, taught business English and designed her own courses and teaching materials.","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/bkienapple\/"],"url":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/author\/bronwyn\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37032"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/72"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37032"}],"version-history":[{"count":58,"href":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37032\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":103783,"href":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37032\/revisions\/103783"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37065"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37032"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37032"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/venngage.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37032"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}