Lessons From Komen Versus PPFA
A final comment on this affair … Learn from it!
Follow some of these accounts of how Komen is responding (or should):
From Holly Hall at the Chronicle of Philanthropy
From social media commentator Erik Sass
From blogger Kivi Leroux Miller, a play-by-play
I’m sure there will be more. This affair will become a classic in the annals of nonprofit crisis management, in part because it’s the first such major meltdown to occur in the social media era. Forgive me for being clinical, but focus on what Komen did wrong (from a communications perspective) and what PPFA did right (from a communications and fundraising perspective).
What if a crisis of confidence and trust in your organization arose? How prepared would you be to acknowledge the facts, respond with alacrity and truthfulness, describe and implement with full transparency the needed changes, and get back to the mission of communicating the positive work of your organization to your donors, other key constituencies and the media?
Tom
P.S. Don’t forget the webinar Roger is moderating this week that will present a new approach and tool for pre-testing packages, developed by DonorVoice. Register here FREE for your seat at the February 9th (11:30 EST) Direct Mail Testing Webinar.
3 responses to “Lessons From Komen Versus PPFA”
Behavioral Science Q & A
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We should also be learning from Kivi Leroux Miller! She brilliantly provided an outlet for discussion around a high profile issue, resulting in more exposure for her business. I bet her likes, follows, subscriptions, and business all increased as a result of her quick response.
Well, it’s all easier if you have the truth on your side and don’t have to change your story or spin it endlessly, eh?
I think one of the most interesting aspects of this is how (from the outside at least) it appears that some of their top executives and board members let their personal beliefs dictate grant funding — in some cases that’s okay, or at least not called out. Is it the duty of a national, well-known non-profit to remain completely non-partisan? I hope so.