March 1, 2008

With too much to do this week, I have lagged behind the relentless blogosphere and am struggling to stay up-to-date on my school work, let alone the hundreds of potential posts I want to read but simply couldn’t get it done. So, taking a break from crisis and PR blogging, I thought I’d direct you to my crisis and PR podcast. This podcast was made about two weeks ago during my first experience with any type of recording equipment and program, and certainly during my very first experience podcasting. I’ve been waiting to publish this for the public and found a great site at podcastpeople.com where I could post my podcast for free!
After deciding on a topic, the experience went rather well. Much better than I had hoped and, like blogging, once I settled on what I wanted to say, maaaannnn did I have a lot of talking I wanted to do. The time requirement—as this was an assignment for my Advanced PR Writing class—was no challenge for me, and I quickly found talking out loud, alone in my room, making hand gestures to no one in sight, was all quite easy =).
Posted here are my show notes for the podcast—a casting about crisis terminology, Dr. Peter Sandman’s risk formula, and three categories of risk management in crisis situations. I was originally introduced to Dr. Sandman’s formula by my Plans Professor, Tom Hagley, and have since analyzed its use and application in local community crises. Dr. Sandman, a professor at Rutger’s University, identifies risk (a useful replacement for the term crisis—listen and you’ll see for yourself) as a compilation of varying levels of hazard and outrage. That is,
Risk = Hazard + Outrage.
Dr. Sandman then creates three categories of crisis situations to accommodate different combinations of hazard and outrage. Like I said, this formula and its indications are extremely useful for community crisis. Have a listen to my very first podcast—I apologize for the sound of my voice in advance (I swear, it doesn’t, err, sound like that in person!)—and gain some useful basic knowledge of analyzing and handling different types of crisis situations…plus the intro/outro music I’ve chosen is awesome.
Here it is: http://www.crisisincommunication.podcastpeople.com/
Show Notes for Week 1: Defining Crisis and the Risk Formula
On this episode of Let’s Talk Crises, I will discuss the lesser-known distinctions between the terms crisis and risk. I will then examine crisis communicator Dr. Peter Sandman’s formula for risk management: Risk = Hazard + Outrage. This episode will also explore Dr. Sandman’s three proposed management techniques for varying levels of hazard and outrage in his risk formula.
Intro Music 0:00 – 0:15
Introduction, Myself 0:16 – 1:32
Introduction, Podcast 1:33 – 2:59
“Risk” vs. “Crisis” 3:00 – 5:13
Risk = Hazard + Outrage 5:14 – 6:24
Precaution Advocacy 6:25 – 7:55
Outrage Management 7:56 – 9:22
Crisis Communication 9:23 – 10:49
Closing Summary 10:50 – 11:55
Thank you, Goodbye 11:56 – 12:23
Outro Music 12:15 – 12:39
_
Photo 1 courtesy of stock.xchng at http://www.sxc.hu/photo/81101
Photo 2 courtesy of stock.xchng at http://www.sxc.hu/photo/468911
March 2, 2008 at 5:07 am
Hi Lisa,
Show looks and sounds great! Yes, your voice actually sounds really good. Also, thank you for the kind words about PodcastPeople. It’s much appreciated.
If you ever need help with any part of your podcast, please don’t hesitate to call our support line at 610-388-9911 or send us an email to support(at)podcastpeople.com
Keep the shows coming!
Regards,
Doug Taylor
Founder / CEO
PodcastPeople.com
March 2, 2008 at 10:38 am
Welcome to the world of podcasting!
I agree with Dr. Sandman’s characterization that the propensity for crisis can be measured as risk.
I think managing risks and being aware the public, political, environmental and technological environments is part of issues management that is a component of being a PR practitioner.
As you mention, there are some crises that seem unavoidable. However, from what I read, many organizations do not to engage in risk/issues management, resulting in crisis–and it’s these that we usually see in the news, thus the emphasis on the word “crisis” instead of “risk.”
You did a good job. You have well-organized and detailed show notes–something I can take a lesson on.
I’ll keep listening if you keep recording.
March 2, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Michael,
Thank you for the comment and always helpful feedback. I absolutely believe in Dr. Sandman’s identification and choice in terminology, and I love the potential mindset for preparation that it allows.
I am hoping to continue on with another podcast—next time, an interview! Thanks, Michael!
March 2, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Lisa, seriously … for a student, and a first podcast, (even a Gen-Y … sorry, couldn’t resist & just kidding) this is fabulous! Congrats!
You are a case study, role model for other students wanting to jump into podcasting, Lisa. I’ll be showing this to my students, you can be sure.
Also, don’t worry about your voice. First, you sound great. Second, voice/delivery is only part of the mix. What you’re saying is much more important. And, if you’re a bit self-concious (who isn’t when they start podcasting), you’ve got the voice and delivery down very well.
You covered the topic very well. You cited your sources … and it was brief enough to not lose your audience. 12:39 is a great length. So, again … kudos! This podcast makes a great primer / refresher, for instance.
The only thing maybe for future podcasts is to add a bit more about what *you* think. Personal examples, experiences … etc. That’ll come with time, though, so no need to force it.
Keep ‘em coming, Lisa. You’re in the feed reader.
March 3, 2008 at 10:17 am
Robert,
Thank you very much for such an awesome comment!! I am delighted to hear you approve and adding my own analysis is something I should have done more of. As for showing this to your students—Wow! I’m honored. Hopefully another podcast will make its way soon enough. I’m hoping for an interview and that would definitely leave room for my own comments. Thank you, Robert!
Lisa Poplawski