In the News–Leadership & Strategy
The Morning Risk Report: Can the Auto Industry Redeem Itself?
Ben DiPietro, The Wall Street Journal’s Risk & Compliance Journal, October 2, 2015
Volkswagen’s emissions deception. Fiat-Chrysler underreporting its death and injuries totals. General Motors’ ignition switch scandal. Toyota’s gas pedal bungle. Takata’s air bag mess. The automotive industry has been taking one reputation hit after another, leading to costly recalls, criminal charges, hefty fines and unhappy customers, dealers and shareholders. What can the industry do to clean up its image? Or do they even have to, as the latest sales figures show the industry is poised to have its best year since 2000?
“Cynically, they’re saying ‘It doesn’t matter to our bottom line whether we lie or whether you know we lie or whether x number of people die because of the things we lie about. You still have to buy from us. Maybe I’ve degraded the brand but you don’t have anywhere else to go,’ ” said Davia Temin, president and chief executive of crisis management firm Temin and Co. Assuming the industry wants to clean up its reputation, she said it needs to stop making promises to fix its problems and actually fix those problems–then communicate to its constituencies. […read more]
Crisis of the Week: United Airlines Faces Turbulence Amid Federal Probe
Ben DiPietro, The Wall Street Journal’s Risk & Compliance Journal, September 21, 2015
This week’s crisis of the week takes a look at the statements and actions of United Continental Holdings Inc., which replaced its CEO and two of his top executives amid a continuing corruption investigation by federal prosecutors.
In a statement, the company said it decided to replace Mr. Smisek and the other two executives as a result of its own internal investigation into its dealing with the Port Authority. The airline’s board apparently decided to cut ties with Mr. Smisek a few weeks before the announcement of his departure. During a conference call discussing its latest quarterly results, the company said it wouldn’t comment further as the investigation is ongoing.
Looking only at what the company has said publicly in its statement and on the conference call, we asked the crisis experts to gauge how well United has handled this crisis.
“‘By the book,’ is how United Airlines said it conducted its investigation of former CEO Jeff Smisek, and by the book is how its board and new CEO have handled every communication regarding management changes. Communications have been textbook–word-perfect, well-vetted and bloodlessly on message. But there are times when ‘by the book’ is simply not enough to do the job, and this is one of them. Extraordinary measures are needed,” says Davia Temin. […read more]
Communicating with Authority and Compassion in Crisis or Opportunity
Wanda Wallace, “Out of the Comfort Zone,” Voice America, August 21, 2015
The most admired leaders are admired because of their skill in communicating. What do these leaders do and not do that sets them apart? The answer to that question is what the show is all about. We will be talking with Davia Temin, President and CEO of Temin and Company, about how leaders inspire, how they convey authority and what they do when things go wrong. […read more]
To download the episode, CLICK HERE.
Crisis of the Week: Accounting Problems Hobble Toshiba
Ben DiPietro, The Wall Street Journal’s Risk & Compliance Journal, July 27, 2015
The crisis this week involves the actions taken by Toshiba Corp. in the wake of an accounting scandal that saw the company overstate earnings by more than $1.2 billion over seven years. The fallout from the scandal escalated last week, when the company announced the resignation of Chief Executive and board Vice Chairman Hisao Tanaka and a reorganization of its board in which half the members are stepping down. A report from the company into the overstatement said its three most recent CEOs all played roles in inflating the company’s operating profit.
Looking only at the statements of company officials, and the actions taken in removing the CEO and reshuffling the board, we asked the crisis management experts how well has the company handled this crisis? Where has it done particularly well? Where has it fallen short? What should it do next?
Davia Temin responds: “It is extraordinarily difficult for a company to buck its own tradition and culture. Japanese companies have always been opaque and less than communicative, and are not known for admitting to misdeeds until they are absolutely forced to–and sometimes not even then. Much pain could have been avoided had they owned up to their problems quickly, rather than doubled down through denial.” […read more]
Crisis manager, executive coach Temin to discuss resilience, bouncing back
Deborah Trefts, The Daily Chautauquan, July 13, 2015
Some people take life’s curveballs and crises in stride; they handle adversity remarkably well. Others take longer — or seem unable — to move on. They get stuck or fall apart.
“Nobody gets out of this life unscathed,” said Davia Temin, a global reputation strategist, crisis manager and executive coach.
At 1 p.m. today at the Chautauqua Women’s Club House, Temin will give a talk titled “Resilience: Bouncing Back from Life’s Slings and Arrows,” as part of the Chautauqua Professional Women’s Network series. It will include new research about what people can do to influence their reaction to fate. […read more]
Women Can Learn as Much From Competent Women as Men
Carol Hymowitz, BloombergBusiness, May 7, 2015
When Frontier Communications then-Chief Executive Officer Maggie Wilderotter sought to make a big acquisition last year, she reached out to some of the best dealmakers she knew. That was to be expected—her intended prey would double the size of the telecommunications company. The bigger surprise was that all her major players in the deal wear skirts.
Like Wilderotter, many women who’ve reached top management are doing deals together or recruiting and recommending one another for jobs, consulting work, and boardroom seats. Davia Temin, a former GE Capital top executive who runs the crisis management consultant firm Temin and Company has met clients through the Women’s Forum of New York, which has an invitation-only membership of more than 450 executives and professionals, and belongs to advocacy groups including the Women’s Forum and WomenCorporateDirectors.
“Groups that used to be a refuge” where women could commiserate about their isolation in male-dominated workplaces “have become a destination,” she says. […read more]
Best of BankThink 2014: Readers’ Choice
American Banker, December 26, 2014
American Banker shares the 10 most popular BankThink articles of 2014, based on audience page views. “Women and Power: Seven Ways Successful Women Survive,“ an article authored by Davia Temin, chief executive of New York management consultancy Temin and Co., comes in at number nine.
“Research suggests that women in leadership positions are most successful when they develop flexible management styles and pay attention to some uncomfortable truths in today’s workplace.” […read more]
Lafley Pivots From Builder to Demolition Man as He Shrinks P&G
Carol Hymowitz and Lauren Coleman-Lochner, Bloomberg Business, April 14, 2015
A.G. Lafley helped turn Procter & Gamble Co. into the world’s largest consumer-products company. Now the builder has turned demolition man, shedding billions in assets because P&G is too large to compete.
Lafley, 67, interrupted his retirement in 2013 to revive P&G and telegraphed early on that he didn’t plan to stay long. Having announced plans to exit as many as 100 product lines in the past two years, he’s likely to step aside as chief executive officer by the annual meeting in October, according to people familiar with his plans. Before then, Lafley aims to divest at least $19 billion more in assets, slimming the company down to 65 leading brands, such as Tide, Crest and Pampers, which generate 86 percent of P&G’s $83 billion in revenue.
“It’s painful to dismantle something you built,” said Davia Temin, who runs Temin & Co., a crisis management consultant. “Most CEOs I’ve worked with, when faced with this, say ‘I’m a builder, let someone else shrink it,’ but Lafley’s showing he can pivot when that’s what the business demands.” […read more]
Staying Ahead of the Game: The Steps to Effective Crisis Communications Planning
PR Newswire, March 12, 2015
Don’t wait for a crisis to hit before considering your communications strategy. Getting caught off guard can mean the difference between success and failure, especially if your competitors are quick to respond. Take action today to ensure tomorrow’s stability.
View PR Newswire’s on-demand webinar to obtain the tips and tools needed to craft an effective crisis plan. Davia Temin, CEO, Temin & Co. and Colleen Pizarev, VP, Communications Strategies, PR Newswire discuss: creating a crisis plan and messaging effectively; the role of boards in crisis; listening best practices and your social media response. […read more]
View the slides:
Uber Needs A Crash Course In Crisis Management
Caroline Fairchild, LinkedIn, March 18, 2015
Uber is no stranger to PR disasters. Whether it’s surge pricing during a hostage crisis in Sydney, accusations of rape by drivers in India or questions over the security of users’ data, the start-up has already weathered its fair share of storms. The latest source of choppy waters? An investigation in South Korea that claims Uber drivers are breaking communication laws.
As the company ventures into new services, cities and countries, it will inevitably ruffle some feathers and make more missteps. Yet experts told LinkedIn it’s puzzling the company doesn’t already appear to take crisis management seriously. If the disruptive car service doesn’t shape up quickly, crisis management executives and consultants tell LinkedIn, it’s only a matter a time before Über gets disrupted itself.
“The arrogance with which the service is put forth just doesn’t jive,” said Davia Temin the founder of Temin & Co., a crisis-management firm. “They key is being able to disrupt with an attitude of humility, even kindness. If you can do that, you would be cut a huge amount of slack that Uber is just not getting right now.” […read more]
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