Holding Statement: A Guide to Crisis Management

A holding statement is a crucial tool in crisis management, helping to contain the spread of misinformation and protect your reputation. It's a concise and carefully crafted message that communicates your position on a crisis.

The key to a good holding statement is to be clear, concise, and consistent. This means avoiding jargon and technical terms that may confuse the public.

A holding statement should be prepared in advance, so you can respond quickly and confidently when a crisis hits. This will help you stay in control of the narrative and prevent the spread of misinformation.

In a crisis, it's essential to be transparent and honest. A holding statement can help you achieve this by providing a clear and consistent message that addresses the crisis head-on.

A holding statement is a brief statement that summarizes the main point of a case or a claim. It's like a snapshot of the issue at hand.

In a holding statement, you'll typically identify the key issue, the parties involved, and the main arguments. For example, if you're making a claim against a company for a faulty product, your holding statement might say something like, "The plaintiff is suing the defendant for damages resulting from a defective product that caused injury."

A holding statement is a brief summary of a claim or issue that outlines the key points and helps to focus the discussion or negotiation.

It's typically 1-2 pages long and is meant to be a concise overview of the main points.

A holding statement is often used in mediation and negotiation to help parties clarify their positions and identify potential areas of agreement.

It can also be used to help parties understand each other's perspectives and needs.

A holding statement is not a formal document, but rather a working document that is meant to be flexible and adaptable.

It's meant to be a tool to facilitate communication and collaboration, not a rigid or binding document.

A holding statement is a clear and concise statement that explains how you will resolve a situation. It's a promise to the other person that you'll take care of the issue.

A holding statement typically starts with a phrase such as "I will" or "I promise to", which conveys a sense of commitment. This phrase is often followed by a specific action or behavior that you will take.

Holding statements can be as short as a few words, such as "I will listen to your concerns." They can also be longer, like "I will do my best to find a solution to this problem." The key is to be clear and direct.

In many cases, holding statements are used in conflict resolution, where one person is trying to calm the other down and prevent things from escalating. By making a holding statement, you can show that you're committed to finding a solution.

Holding statements can be verbal or written, and they can be used in a variety of situations, from everyday conflicts to more serious issues like workplace disputes.

If your business is facing a PR crisis, a holding statement can be a lifesaver. This is especially true when a story is developing at pace and you may not have all the facts to hand.

A holding statement is useful for making an urgent response without making things worse. This is because rushed comments without all the facts can sometimes cause more harm than good.

It's a good idea to have a template for a holding statement that you can adapt to the current situation. This way, you can respond quickly without making things worse.

A holding statement is a powerful tool for stabilizing your organization's standing during a crisis. It helps prevent the spread of misinformation and manages public perception.

Issuing a holding statement quickly is essential, as it asserts control over the narrative and shows that you're taking the situation seriously. Aim to issue the statement as quickly as possible.

Being empathetic is also crucial, as it helps maintain trust and rapport with stakeholders. A holding statement should acknowledge what is known, without speculating or providing unverified information.

Here are the best practices for a holding statement, summarized:

A holding statement is a crucial tool in crisis management, and its benefits are numerous. It helps stabilize the organization's standing in the initial stages of a crisis.

Issuing a holding statement quickly is essential, as it allows you to assert control over the narrative and prevent the spread of misinformation. Speed is critical, so aim to issue the statement as quickly as possible.

A holding statement also shows concern for those affected by the crisis, which is essential for maintaining trust and rapport with stakeholders. Empathy goes a long way in this regard.

By acknowledging what is known and committing to providing updates as more information becomes available, you can maintain transparency and build trust with your stakeholders. This is especially important in the initial stages of a crisis.

Having a holding statement in place can also prevent your customer-facing staff from being approached for comments, which can be a nightmare to navigate. It gives you and your team clarity on what your official position is.

Here are the key benefits of a holding statement:

Being specific is crucial when it comes to crafting a solid holding statement. PR reps should follow the journalism rule of who, when, what, where, how, and why to provide a clear and concise statement.

A holding statement should point out the absence of facts that aren't yet known, as Yonason Goldson, director of Ethical Imperatives LLC, suggests. This approach helps to avoid speculation and misinformation.

The who, when, what, where, how, and why of the situation should be clearly outlined in the holding statement. This provides a foundation for future updates and statements.

Writing a holding statement can be a daunting task, especially in a crisis situation. A holding statement is really useful when a story is developing at pace and you may not have all the facts to hand to meet press deadlines or reply to questioning in full.

To write a good holding statement, it's essential to express sympathy to any victims of the story and their families first. This sets the tone for the rest of the statement.

A good holding statement should tell the story as best you can in the opening paragraph, and the remaining information in descending order. It's also crucial to answer the basics: who, what, when, where, and why.

Use plain English – avoid any jargon, technical terms, or scientific or legal phrases that may need further explanation. Be as brief as possible while also being careful with your wording.

The GATHER acronym, developed by Alyson Austin, is a helpful guide to writing a holding statement. It stands for Gather the facts, Assess the situation, Treat all parties with respect, Help the audience understand the situation, Eliminate doubt, and Remind the audience that you will follow up as more details become available.

It's also a good idea to maintain a file of blank holding statement templates that you can update quickly when the need arises. This way, you can respond quickly to a crisis without having to start from scratch.

Here are some key things to include in your holding statement templates:

In terms of timing, it's essential to send the holding statement out quickly. Some comms professionals suggest issuing the statement within 15 minutes of having knowledge of the event, while others recommend sending it within an hour.

To ensure accuracy in a holding statement, it's crucial to double- and triple-check before releasing it. This helps prevent putting out misleading or inaccurate information.

PR agencies recommend that professionals read the statement before it becomes public to catch any errors. Ryan McCormick, co-founder and media relations specialist at Goldman McCormick Public Relations in New York, suggests doing a critical assessment of the crisis, including social response, press coverage, shareholder sentiment, and projections on how each future action will help or hurt the situation.

Acknowledge and correct mistakes immediately if you realize there's an error in the statement. This involves apologizing, issuing a corrected holding statement, and getting all necessary approvals.

In fact, errors can cost time, rock credibility with the public and the press, and even endanger lives and property, leading to liability issues for the organization.

Having a holding statement template can be super helpful in situations where you need to acknowledge an issue and provide some basic information to the public.

Flynn's bare-bones template is a great option when you're short on details: "We can confirm that [X] has occurred and are working with [Y] at this time. We will share an additional update as more details are available.”

Michelle Palmer's template provides more details, which can be helpful when you have more information: "This morning, we identified a technical issue affecting our [product or service]. The issue began on [date and time], and we are aware this may have been impacting [affected group of individuals]. We apologize for the disruption and for not being able to provide you with [X] at this time. Please be assured that our team is working around the clock to restore full functionality as quickly as possible.”

Here are some key elements to include in a holding statement template, as outlined by Western City magazine:

As a journalist, I know firsthand that getting information quickly is crucial in times of crisis. A well-crafted holding statement is essential to start the process.

These statements are the first response from PR firms and crisis communication agencies, setting the tone for the situation.

The public can then prepare and adjust as the situation unfolds, thanks to this initial statement. Updates follow, but it is the holding statement that starts the story.

It's the holding statement that starts the story, providing a foundation for further communication.