S2 E6: The Role of Boards in Crisis Leadership with Dwayne Alexander

“Prior preparation prevents poor performance." Planning for the future is key to creating a successful organization and is an important factor to consider when making decisions.

But what about a company crisis? A crisis is often evaluated by how the CEO or management handle it - but usually it runs deeper than that. How should how organizational leadership and boards of directors properly prepare for unexpected future situations?

In this episode, Dwayne Alexander of New Zealand-based Alexander PR discusses the importance of good practices for boards of directors, particularly in the face of a crisis. He highlights the need for boards to be prepared for potential red flags, such as a loss of operational margins, a decrease in working capital, or overworked staff.

Dwayne and Abbie discuss the importance of considering the wellbeing of human beings when it comes to business models, productivity, and growth. Dwayne suggests that the idea of a four-day work week is gaining traction, which has made people more conscious of the productivity of their teams. They also discuss the importance of remote working, as it can be difficult to keep track of productivity levels. Abbie mentions the need for courage to be able to make changes and to challenge the status quo. Lastly, they highlight the importance of diversity of generations on boards, as different generations can bring different perspectives and ideas.

Download the new white paper: "23 Bad Habits Your Board Should Change"

About the Guest

Dwayne Alexander has nearly three decades’ experience in helping leadership teams tell their story and build their organizational share of market and share of voice. He holds a postgraduate honours degree in marketing (cum laude) and has global multimarket experience. He co-founded the internationally recognized Alexander PR and has innovated over many years by introducing "The Content Place," Company Crisis, and also becoming a published author in 2022. A mentor and confidante to a number of boards, CEOs and founders when it comes to Reputation Management, Issues & Crisis and Storytelling, Dwayne and his team have attracted 11 global awards from San Francisco to London, Washington DC to Singapore for their PR and content work.

About the Host

Abbie Fink is vice president/general manager of HMA Public Relations in Phoenix, Arizona and a founding member of PRGN. Her marketing communications background includes skills in media relations, digital communications, social media strategies, special event management, crisis communications, community relations, issues management, and marketing promotions for both the private and public sectors, including such industries as healthcare, financial services, professional services, government affairs and tribal affairs, as well as not-for-profit organizations.

PRGN Presents is brought to you by Public Relations Global Network, the world’s local public relations agency. Our executive producer is Adrian McIntyre. The show is produced by the team at Speed of Story, a B2B communications firm in Phoenix, AZ.

Follow the Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow PRGN Presents in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other podcast app. We publish new episodes every other Thursday. To have them delivered automatically and free of charge, just choose your preferred podcast player from this list, open the app, and click the button to “Follow” the show: https://prgnpodcast.com/listen

Need to hire a PR firm?

Leading a business effectively in today's fast-paced world requires expert guidance and a strong communications strategy. No matter where you do business, PRGN has a member agency in your region with the deep industry expertise, international experience, and local market knowledge you need to connect with your target audience and achieve your goals. Find a PR firm near you »