A crisis can happen to any organisation, at any time, from anywhere. Crisis management is now a critical and important organizational function. Poorly handled crises can result in serious harm to stakeholder relations, long-term reputation and even the existence of an organisation.  

For organisations to be in the best position to prevent and handle crises, they need to be aware of risks, formulate issues-management plans, respond to the crisis by effective strategic communication and restore the reputation of the organisation.

Participants will learn how to prevent, prepare for and handle a crisis, as well as explore strategies for media handling and reputation management through a mix of theory and role plays.

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will obtain a “Certificate of attendance”.

• Business professionals,
• Government officials, 
• Young professionals working in the PR field, and
• Corporate communications executives who need to sharpen their skills on crisis management, reputation management and media relations

Ms Helen Ching

Ms Helen Ching is the Honorary Guest Lecturer of HSMC-EDC and former Principal Mass Communication Officer of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).  A specialist in mass communication, she is now a marketing and public relations consultant.

Since she joined ICAC in 1979, Ms Ching has planned and directed a wide variety of mass media and new media publicity programmes, corporate communication and community education work. When she headed the Mass Communication Office, she was responsible for formulating the Commission’s publicity strategy both in the mass media and new media. Under her leadership, effective programmes were implemented, including the successful annual advertising campaign, ICAC TV Drama Series (the signature production of the Commission), corporate communication programmes, media relations, educational training videos, publicity programmes on ICAC’s website, a smartphone app and other news and social media platforms. Ms Ching was awarded the Hong Kong ICAC Medal for Meritorious Service by the Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive in July 2016 when she retired. Currently, she is also a part-time lecturer at a local university, teaching crisis management and public speaking. 

Ms Ching graduated from the Department of Communication, Hong Kong Baptist College in 1978. She also attended the Ethics Training Programme for Executives at Bentley College, Boston, USA and also holds a Post-graduate Diploma in Management Studies from Chinese University of Hong Kong.