After an unprecedented year of crisis, our Connected Crisis study reveals that, while the majority of executives recognize the high likelihood their company might be impacted by a crisis over the next few years, fewer than half say their company is well-prepared to handle any given type of issue.

The study unearths that the digital-first landscape has introduced new complexities to how we manage crises, and companies must take a new approach to crisis communications: one that is rooted in trust, connected to culture, data-driven and digitally integrated.

Frequent and disruptive is the new norm

The research shows that not only are crises frequent, they are also incredibly diverse — and that new types of crises are emerging, with digitally-driven issues, activism, product/supply chain issues and diversity & inclusion matters among the most-anticipated issues in the coming years.

• 3 in 4 executives believe they will face a digitally-rooted crisis in the next three years.
• Activism is also on the rise across consumers, employees and shareholders alike. The majority of executives say their company is likely to face activity from either of these groups in the next few years.

Few are well prepared to manage the dynamics of modern crises

The digital-first landscape has introduced new complexities to how we manage crises. The pervasive impact of digital has led to new types of crises and new dynamics, all amidst a landscape in which digital channels sit at the centre of how people find their information.

• 3 in 4 executives say that this landscape is making crises more difficult to manage, with speed being a particularly acute pain point.
• Meanwhile, there is a clear recognition of the need to integrate digital channels and data into crisis response. However, few organizations are prepared to consistently do so.

There is a clear recognition of the need to improve their crisis management capabilities and to build resilience

However, few have consistently accomplished it. Notably, only half of executives feel their company is prepared for the challenge of working across the full ecosystem of communications channels in its crisis responses. Companies must take a new approach to crisis communications. One that is rooted in trust, connected to culture, data-driven and digitally integrated.