6. Nor in the business world… JULY: VW
With Prostitutes and Shady Executives,
There’s No Love Left in this Bug
Commentary: The Real Scandal at
Volkswagen. Behind the Fraud
and Corruption Probe Is a
Company that Has Lost Its Way
Scandal Shows Flaw in VW’s Boardroom
4
8. August: 5 Blue Chip Companies
Scandals Rock Top German Businesses:
Allegations of Corruption Swirl at Five
Blue Chip Companies
The Rotten Kernel
of Deutschland AG
Scandals Could Alter Germany’s
Business Culture
6
9. August: and on and on
Daimler Probe Another Stain
on German Firms
Corruption Just Tip of the Iceberg
German Business: Efficient,
Punctual…Corrupt?
7
11. The new one is complex and changing constantly.
9
12. When buzz goes bad, you need to know how to
navigate the jungle, not the tidy farm fields of
yesteryear.
How you respond will affect reputations,
stock price, and the length of siege.
10
14. Run away and hide.
Fuel the fires.
Presumed guilty.
12
15. Like Volkswagen
On this site you will find high level information on the consolidated
group, covering the brands and the regions. Along with details of the
group structure, this makes clear the full breadth of the Volkswagen
Group. In addition, details of senior management are also available. The
aim of this site is to improve understanding of the Volkswagen Group.
Nothing about issues. No news section. No contacts.
Corporate responsibility section never updated.
13
16. “Managers can waste a lot of time at the outset
of a crisis denying that something went wrong.”
Skip that step.
Jack Welch, former CEO, GE
14
17. Be open, honest, clear about problem, cause, solutions.
Checks the rumors.
Stops the bleeding.
Gains trust.
Shows culture of integrity.
15
18. Infineon response: much more open, accessible
Dr. Andreas von Zitzewitz steps down
as Member of the Board of Infineon
Technologies AG
6 Jul 2005
Supervisory Board of Infineon Accepts
Resignation of Dr. von Zitzewitz
17 Jul 2005
Investment, Financial and Audit Committee
of Infineon Technologies AG Approves
External Examination of the Internal
Information and Monitoring System
22 Jul 2005
Infineon Strengthens Communications Team
31 Aug 2005
16
19. As was Commerzbank
Commerzbank confirms search by public prosecutor
In reply to questions, Commerzbank has confirmed that the Frankfurt
public prosecutor’s office searched its premises on July 19 and 20 in
connection with an investigation into suspected money-laundering
activities on the part of five current and former members of its staff.
“The investigation concerns individuals but not the
bank itself. We obviously would like to get this
cleared up as quickly as possible.”
Commerzbank spokeswoman
17
22. Monitor what’s being talked about
What’s most relevant?
Who’s talking about what?
What’s gaining momentum?
Who should you be talking with?
What’s the language, tone?
Media, blogs, chatrooms, influencers
20
24. Tap into your influencers
Employees
Media Investors
Analysts Conversations Customers
Opinion leaders
Union leaders
Partners
and vendors
22
25. Disclose, frame, fix
Admit facts, put into context
Take ownership
Talk about what concrete steps you’re taking to fix (or
get to the root cause)
Update regularly
Explain what you’re doing to prevent from happening
again
23
26. Straight talk
Be clear and straightforward: no confusing legal
talk
Provide details and facts that help understanding
Be sincere, genuine
Recognize emotions, fears, anger
Have conversations vs. just issuing “statements”
Put leaders on the line, not low level
spokespersons.
24
27. Use all your communications channels
Internal Media Mobile phone Website
Intranet meetings text messages “news”
Voice mails,
emails: Conference Walk around Blog postings
employees, calls
customers, and talk
partners,
influencers
25
28. Assess what needs to be put in place for future
1. Right monitoring, “listening”
2. Right channels
3. Internal communications systems and resources
4. CEO as chief communications officer
5. ‘Relationship equity’ with influencers
6. TIGHT CONTROLS, POLICIES, PROCESSES
26
