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On April 20 2010 the offshore drilling rig Deep Water Horizon exploded after a blow out from the oil well one mile below the surface of the water. 11 people were killed and oil spilled at a phenomenal rate into the Gulf of Mexico threatening the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas and Florida and causing widespread environmental damage.
BP was named the responsible party and was held accountable for response measures, clean up costs and other damage. There was much debate about the rate of oil release and secondary concern about gas release. A number of attempts were made to cap the well, stop the flow and retrieve and disperse the oil.
On July 12, 53 days after the explosion flow of oil from the well was successfully capped and static kill operations to kill and isolate the well were completed on August 5, 2010.
For more information on the oil spill response and recovery efforts go to the website for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection or visit the BP Website for their reports on the Gulf of Mexico response.
In recent weeks, BP has prepared a report to provide a preliminary outcome of lessons learnt from the oil spill at the Deep Water Horizon, Macondo Well in the Gulf of Mexico. They are currently in discussions with authorities and regulators about its final release.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Fraser-Kirk Vs David Jones and Mark McInnes – sexual harassment case
18/6/2010 David Jones CEO Mark McInnes offered his resignation and admitted to behaving “in a manner unbecoming of a Chief Executive to a female staff member.” The scandal has continued to affect the reputation of all parties involved and has remained in the media spotlight since the resignation. Kristy Fraser-Kirk filed legal proceedings on august 2, 2010 against Mr McInnes and the company’s directors.
In Federal Court in Sydney, revelations that 8 more women have come forward with allegations against Mr McInnes deepens the scandal and its reputational impacts. Ms Fraser-Kirk is seeking compensation for breach of contract, loss and damages and punitive damages. David Jones is defending the claims.
What will be the long term effects of this scandal on the business of David Jones regardless of which way the case leads? Will it cripple the organisation? Probably not, but there is the risk that if found or settled in Ms Fraser-Kirks favour, it may have flow on impacts to the business. David Jones target market is women. The majority of its employees are women. A result which finds that management have fostered an environment where harassment is not addressed appropriately could be damaging.
You don’t have to be big and powerful, you just have to overstep the mark. Many people (both women and men) have been unnecessarily bullied, harassed, discriminated against or treated unfairly in the workplace.
The extraordinary damages claim has drawn unwanted attention to David Jones and interest in the outcome is high. Are the dollar amounts of the claim excessive? Perhaps. Is the outcome important? Extremely, not only for David Jones and Ms Fraser-Kirk but this action sends a definitive message. No matter how big or important you are harassment of any kind is not acceptable and consequences will be forthcoming.
Could your business withstand a scandal such as this? What else can David Jones do to salvage their reputation? A starting point would be to revisit their equity and diversity policy, implement training on the same and create a zero-tolerance environment toward harassment.
In Federal Court in Sydney, revelations that 8 more women have come forward with allegations against Mr McInnes deepens the scandal and its reputational impacts. Ms Fraser-Kirk is seeking compensation for breach of contract, loss and damages and punitive damages. David Jones is defending the claims.
What will be the long term effects of this scandal on the business of David Jones regardless of which way the case leads? Will it cripple the organisation? Probably not, but there is the risk that if found or settled in Ms Fraser-Kirks favour, it may have flow on impacts to the business. David Jones target market is women. The majority of its employees are women. A result which finds that management have fostered an environment where harassment is not addressed appropriately could be damaging.
You don’t have to be big and powerful, you just have to overstep the mark. Many people (both women and men) have been unnecessarily bullied, harassed, discriminated against or treated unfairly in the workplace.
The extraordinary damages claim has drawn unwanted attention to David Jones and interest in the outcome is high. Are the dollar amounts of the claim excessive? Perhaps. Is the outcome important? Extremely, not only for David Jones and Ms Fraser-Kirk but this action sends a definitive message. No matter how big or important you are harassment of any kind is not acceptable and consequences will be forthcoming.
Could your business withstand a scandal such as this? What else can David Jones do to salvage their reputation? A starting point would be to revisit their equity and diversity policy, implement training on the same and create a zero-tolerance environment toward harassment.
Pakistan Monsoon Floods
The Pakistan floods have been described as the worst floods in living memory. As at September 1, 2010, 1667 people have been killed and 18 million people affected. The floods will affect more people that the Indian Ocean Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina and the Haiti Earthquake.
The floods began in late July 2010 following monsoon rains. Approximately one third of the country is affected by flooding. Recovery will take many years and the UN has issued an appeal for $459 million of assistance.
The Pakistani Government has been criticised as slow in their response. The emergency management structure is vague and relies on the military to provide assistance to affected populations. Capacity is limited. The Pakistani Government is relying on foreign aid agencies and governments for assistance.
Follow the link for the latest update from the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for the Initial Floods Emergency Response Plan and Situation Reports.
The following link takes you to a map of the flood affected areas of Pakistan and details the extent and effects of flooding in each area.
What can you do to help? The best thing you can do as an individual is donate to one of the many appeals being run by aid agencies. In Australian appeals are being run by UNICEF, Red Cross, World Vision, Oxfam, MSF and others.
The floods began in late July 2010 following monsoon rains. Approximately one third of the country is affected by flooding. Recovery will take many years and the UN has issued an appeal for $459 million of assistance.
The Pakistani Government has been criticised as slow in their response. The emergency management structure is vague and relies on the military to provide assistance to affected populations. Capacity is limited. The Pakistani Government is relying on foreign aid agencies and governments for assistance.
Follow the link for the latest update from the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for the Initial Floods Emergency Response Plan and Situation Reports.
The following link takes you to a map of the flood affected areas of Pakistan and details the extent and effects of flooding in each area.
What can you do to help? The best thing you can do as an individual is donate to one of the many appeals being run by aid agencies. In Australian appeals are being run by UNICEF, Red Cross, World Vision, Oxfam, MSF and others.
Monday, May 10, 2010
The childlike state
The child-like state! That's where all genius marketing is revealed! According to Wazza Bray LMG Digital Media with uncommon thinking on the promotion front anything is possible. I'm with you Wazza. Great presentation at the May South East Brisbane Chamber of Commerce / SEBCC meeting.
Wazza also raised an interesting point on how we filter information when we don't need something. Be a little different, don't state the obvious and refresh your ideas. We only need to be 20% different to get noticed in the marketplace.
Wazza also raised an interesting point on how we filter information when we don't need something. Be a little different, don't state the obvious and refresh your ideas. We only need to be 20% different to get noticed in the marketplace.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Tips for bus travel
You plan to get some work done but don't get a seat. Use the notepad on your phone, you can send it to yourself as well!
Check your email, update your facebook status and post some tweets.
If you're bored see who you can get to speak to you or make it your mission to get at least 3 people to smile back.
Start a "wheels on the bus" melody.
Offer others your seat and don't be the idiot who doesn't stand for the pregnant lady, elderly or mobility impaired.
If you're a school kid, stand up for other commuters!
Don't have your ipod up so loud the person three seats down knows what you are listening to. Seriously, I've seen someone nearly punch someone on a bus because of this - they did have anger management issues and it wasn't necessary but don't say I didn't warn you.
and finally,
your bag doesn't need a seat, I do!
Samantha Ford
Adarna Consulting Pty Ltd
Check your email, update your facebook status and post some tweets.
If you're bored see who you can get to speak to you or make it your mission to get at least 3 people to smile back.
Start a "wheels on the bus" melody.
Offer others your seat and don't be the idiot who doesn't stand for the pregnant lady, elderly or mobility impaired.
If you're a school kid, stand up for other commuters!
Don't have your ipod up so loud the person three seats down knows what you are listening to. Seriously, I've seen someone nearly punch someone on a bus because of this - they did have anger management issues and it wasn't necessary but don't say I didn't warn you.
and finally,
your bag doesn't need a seat, I do!
Samantha Ford
Adarna Consulting Pty Ltd
Good grief, the reef!
With the recent grounding of the Shen Neng off the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef and the oil spill off Moreton Island still fresh in our memories, it would be an understatement to say the Maritime Safety Queensland have had their work cut out for them. In both of these instances it is fair to say that we've been very luck in terms of damage.
That's not to say there haven't been some terrible consequences on our marine environments, only that it could have been far worse, particularly in the case of the Shen Neng grounding. It will be interesting to see how that plays out in the political arena Aust v China, not to mention the courts!
The threat posed to the Great Barrier Reef enraged many an Australian. The environmental threat alone was quite dire and the potential economic threat to Queensland Tourism could have put an already struggling economy into a tail spin. So what can they do to prevent these things from happening again? From all reports it's a well know short cut.
Maritime authorities are already experiencing staffing and funding issues and appropriate technology is expensive. Will these events convince the powers that be that it's worth a spend? How will the move to a single national jurisdiction impact on capacity and operations? Consider the real long term benefits and the value of protecting our marine environments against the spend and I am certain we will be way ahead.
PS: Congratulations to MSQ and national bodies for a fabulous response effort on the refloating of Shen Neng.
Samantha Ford
Managing Director
Adarna Consulting Pty Ltd
That's not to say there haven't been some terrible consequences on our marine environments, only that it could have been far worse, particularly in the case of the Shen Neng grounding. It will be interesting to see how that plays out in the political arena Aust v China, not to mention the courts!
The threat posed to the Great Barrier Reef enraged many an Australian. The environmental threat alone was quite dire and the potential economic threat to Queensland Tourism could have put an already struggling economy into a tail spin. So what can they do to prevent these things from happening again? From all reports it's a well know short cut.
Maritime authorities are already experiencing staffing and funding issues and appropriate technology is expensive. Will these events convince the powers that be that it's worth a spend? How will the move to a single national jurisdiction impact on capacity and operations? Consider the real long term benefits and the value of protecting our marine environments against the spend and I am certain we will be way ahead.
PS: Congratulations to MSQ and national bodies for a fabulous response effort on the refloating of Shen Neng.
Samantha Ford
Managing Director
Adarna Consulting Pty Ltd
Incident management software
Now days there are so many different incident management software packages, how do we know which one to choose? Do you need one? Are you using the one you have to it's full capability?
Can a dog fetch without training?
Many companies are aware that they need to be prepared for anything. Some even put plans and people in place to manage potential crises and to those I say, "nice work" good on you for recognising and understanding your risks.
The odd thing is that so often organisations assign crisis management roles to their management team and then they don't train them in how to manage a crisis. Can a dog fetch if it isn't trained to? So why then do organisations think that senior managers can manage a crisis without training or that their plans are adequate when they haven't tested them?
A good plan is only as good as the team you have. Your team may include some brilliant minds but not everyone can step up in a crisis, particularly if they have no idea of what they are expected to do.
Do you have the right people on your crisis management team? Are they trained in crisis response and recovery? Have you tested your plans?
It could mean the difference between an issue and a crisis......
Samantha Ford
Managing Director
Adarna Consulting Pty Ltd
The odd thing is that so often organisations assign crisis management roles to their management team and then they don't train them in how to manage a crisis. Can a dog fetch if it isn't trained to? So why then do organisations think that senior managers can manage a crisis without training or that their plans are adequate when they haven't tested them?
A good plan is only as good as the team you have. Your team may include some brilliant minds but not everyone can step up in a crisis, particularly if they have no idea of what they are expected to do.
Do you have the right people on your crisis management team? Are they trained in crisis response and recovery? Have you tested your plans?
It could mean the difference between an issue and a crisis......
Samantha Ford
Managing Director
Adarna Consulting Pty Ltd
Managing social media
Until recently Australian tweeters and businesses could be forgiven (?)for thinking that sites like twitter and You Tube wouldn't do too much for or against their business. Any social media crises have occurred overseas and such is the prevailing attitude that it won't happen here.
Well, it has and it does. Consider recent experiences of Springwood State High School, Marist Bros Ashgrove, the recent sacking of a Coles worker and the desecration of memorial sites. All of these issues arose because of social media use.
If you use any social networking sites, then think about how and why you do so. Does it have a positive or negative impact on your business? You can use it as a positive business tool but you need to manage it appropriately and use it as a crisis prevention tool as well. Your clients are using social networking sites. Can you afford not to be involved?
Here are some tips on how you can use social media and networking sites for promotion, relationship building and issues management.
Samantha Ford
Managing Director
Adarna Consulting Pty Ltd
Well, it has and it does. Consider recent experiences of Springwood State High School, Marist Bros Ashgrove, the recent sacking of a Coles worker and the desecration of memorial sites. All of these issues arose because of social media use.
If you use any social networking sites, then think about how and why you do so. Does it have a positive or negative impact on your business? You can use it as a positive business tool but you need to manage it appropriately and use it as a crisis prevention tool as well. Your clients are using social networking sites. Can you afford not to be involved?
Here are some tips on how you can use social media and networking sites for promotion, relationship building and issues management.
Samantha Ford
Managing Director
Adarna Consulting Pty Ltd
Monday, February 8, 2010
Social media risks for employers
More companies are recognising the emerging importance of social media for mass marketing, message delivery and feedback. Some firms actively encourage the use of networking tools by staff for managing customer relationships and networking. It is essential that as companies are utilising these tools they consider that with every opportunity comes an element of risk.
Social media applications when used effectively by companies can serve as an essential tool that can help to avoid or reduce negative impacts of a crisis that affects an organisation. Alternatively, when not managed effectively, social media can be the catalyst that can cause an issue to become a crisis. This can have an adverse impact on reputation, organisational effectiveness and profit. Does your Crisis Communications Strategy include social media? Do you have a Social Media Policy?
Please assist by completing the short social media legal issues survey 2010 - http://bit.ly/aOAlDO
Social media applications when used effectively by companies can serve as an essential tool that can help to avoid or reduce negative impacts of a crisis that affects an organisation. Alternatively, when not managed effectively, social media can be the catalyst that can cause an issue to become a crisis. This can have an adverse impact on reputation, organisational effectiveness and profit. Does your Crisis Communications Strategy include social media? Do you have a Social Media Policy?
Please assist by completing the short social media legal issues survey 2010 - http://bit.ly/aOAlDO
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