Don't Panic!!!

These are busy days in the world of crisis comms. Keeping calm is vital - keeping the public calm is even more vital.

David Yelland and Farzana Baduel explain what's going on behind-the-scenes everywhere - from supermarkets and airlines to energy companies - as concern rises that the war in Iran could affect supply lines.

They discuss the importance of being like a meerkat - horizon scanning - for potential public flashpoints. And why PRs have to come up with calming strategies to avoid dreaded words like 'rationing' causing chaos in the aisles and at the pumps.

On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, this isn't just any work/life balance, this is a Marks & Spencer work/life balance. CEO Stuart Machin says he doesn't think leaders should switch off while on holiday.

That might be the only way for those at the very top - but what message does it send out to those lower down the chain? David and Farzana discuss how part of the job as a PR is making bosses understand that not everyone thinks like they do.

Also, life is full of disappointments but how you handle them is what matters. As Wales saw their World Cup dreams vanish in penalty shootout heartache, manager Craig Bellamy elevated the post-match press conference by saying: "Tomorrow the sun will rise and I'm going to watch that sunrise."

Getting the message right in the heat of the moment is no easy thing, but he seemed to nail it.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

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