Do you have a fear of flying?

If so, you probably find the idea of a plane on autopilot frightening.

• Yet, autopilots often control the plane better
• But, sometimes there is a need for manual intervention
• The airline industry is not quite ready to kick out the human pilot

Putting your business communication on autopilot can also be frightening.

In the final installment of a 10-part series for creating a business communication plan, we explore the need for a contingency plan.

Flight Plan

A flight plan is standard operating procedure for pilots.

• It records departure and arrival information
• It includes crew and passenger information
• It shares the route AND has a contingency plan

Just as a flight can encounter unexpected delays or changes, so, too, can your business communication.

Your business communication plan should have the flexibility to adjust to the unexpected.

Bad Weather Ahead

You laid out your business communication plan with all the right checkpoints.

√  Your final destination (vision statement)

√  Your passengers (ideal clients)

√  Your crew (assigned roles & responsibilities)

√  Your flight plan (objectives, vehicles, budget, message & timeline)

What happens if things don’t go as planned?

• The person coordinating your business blog quits
• Your print job for brochures goes missing in transit
• The equipment for your presentation fails

Disaster Preparedness

Has this ever happened to you?

• The unexpected happens
• You go with Plan B
• And it actually works out better

What if you didn’t have a Plan B?

A contingency plan is your paid-up insurance policy against disaster.

Without one – you end up paying through the nose.

Coverage Protection

When you see the letters, PPT, what do you think of? PowerPoint?

For me, PPT represents the typical sources for business communication problems.

• People – someone doesn’t do what they should or what’s expected
• Places – you’re not at the right place at the right time
• Technology – your technology fails you

The simplest solution to communication problems is always have a Plan B.

 

 

Sample Contingency Plan

Using our PPT problem indicator, here are some ideas for developing your contingency plan.

People

• Have a back-up person to every communication project
• If you are flying solo, research freelancers/vendors BEFORE you need them
• Develop a network of colleagues you can call on in a pinch

Places

• Confirm meetings with everyone so you are all that same place at the same time
• Research your markets and competitors to be in the right place at the right time
• Share communications where your ideal clients hang out – e.g., LinkedIn versus Twitter

Technology

• Have paper versions of online communications- e.g., hand-outs, pdf
• Test software, connections – do test runs of webinars
• Carry alternate mediums of communication- e.g., flash drive, online back-ups

Even with the best of plans, things go wrong.

• Take a deep breath
• Reassess
• Then go with Plan B

Sooner or later, you will need to take your business communication off autopilot and take back the control.

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This is Part 10 in a 10-part series for developing a business communication plan. I would love to have your feedback. Please share those in Comments. Thank you for your feedback throughout the series.

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Prior Posts in Series

Part 1 – Does Your Vision Statement Reflect Your Dream?

Part 2 – Learn From Lieutenant Colombo to I.D. Your Killer Client

Part 3 – Why Blind Hog Business Communication Objectives Don’t Work

Part 4 – Busting 3 Budget Myths for Your Business Communication Plan

Part 5 – Are Your Business Communication Vehicles Driving You?

Part 6 – A Control Freak Guide to Business Communication Roles & Responsibilities

Part 7 – Does Your Message Stink From the Headline Down?

Part 8 – 3 Chopped Lessons for Your Business Communication Timeline

Part 9 – Is Your Hamster Wheel Business Communication Getting You Nowhere?

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Helping you Keep it simple, clear & uniquely yours – contact me for help with your business writing needs.

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BigStock Photo Credit

BigStock Photo Credit