Final Crisis Management Assignment-1
Final Crisis Management Assignment-1
Crisis management isn't just about reacting to emergencies—it's about learning, adapting,
and growing from them. Organizations today face a wide range of potential crises, from
cybersecurity breaches and product recalls to natural disasters and reputational damage.
Controlling and evaluating how a crisis is managed helps businesses not only survive the
crisis itself but also become stronger and more prepared for the future. This section
explores how effective monitoring, performance measurement, feedback, and post-crisis
analysis play a role in comprehensive crisis management.
During a crisis, quick access to accurate data helps prevent miscommunication and poor
decision-making. Monitoring also includes tracking how information is being received and
understood by stakeholders, from internal employees to the general public. A strong
monitoring system includes escalation procedures and real-time communication channels
that allow teams to pivot quickly as new information emerges.
Effective evaluation should also involve getting feedback from everyone involved—
employees, customers, partners, and regulators. Surveys, interviews, and third-party
assessments can provide a more complete picture of what went well and what didn’t.
Organizations should compare their response to past incidents or industry benchmarks to
see if they are improving or falling behind.
Feedback and Continuous Improvement
Despite not being responsible for the tampering (which occurred after the product left the
factory), Johnson & Johnson quickly recalled 31 million bottles of Tylenol at an estimated
cost of over $100 million. They halted all advertising, advised the public not to consume the
product, and cooperated fully with authorities. The company’s CEO, James Burke, took a
transparent and proactive communication approach, which earned public trust.
In response, Johnson & Johnson also pioneered tamper-proof packaging, including foil seals
and secure bottle caps, which later became the industry standard. By prioritizing customer
safety over profit, the company not only restored its brand but also set the gold standard for
crisis management in the corporate world.
The company initially downplayed the seriousness of the issue, and its response was seen
as defensive and opaque. Eventually, the 737 MAX fleet was grounded worldwide. Boeing
faced lawsuits, regulatory scrutiny, and loss of public and airline trust. The CEO was
replaced, and the company invested significantly in correcting the software and overhauling
its safety culture.
This crisis highlighted how delayed transparency and prioritizing profits over safety can
escalate a crisis into a corporate disaster.
Ultimately, Samsung was forced to permanently discontinue the device, recall 2.5 million
units, and conduct an in-depth investigation. The financial loss exceeded $5 billion, and the
company’s brand reputation took a significant hit. However, Samsung took accountability
and implemented an 8-point battery safety check, revised product development processes,
and improved quality assurance.
The Note 7 crisis became a case study in both mismanagement and recovery. Samsung’s
quick action, detailed public reporting of findings, and improvements in safety protocols
helped rebuild its consumer confidence over time.
References
Tylenol Crisis 1982: https://www.nytimes.com/1982/10/01/us/tylenol-capsules-recalled-after-7-
die-in-chicago-area.html