Nika

How did you handle a crisis situation that could have destroyed your company's reputation?

This week I came across a picture on Twitter of a well-known startup that was leaking its database credentials.


Someone pointed it out under a post and the company suddenly deleted the post.


It was as if everything had been swept under the rug.

But it seems to have worked here (except we still have the screenshots 😅).


Mistakes happen, but the bigger the company you are, the harder it is to ignore them.


  • Have you ever had a problem in your startup that required crisis management? (What happened?)

  • How did you handle it and what was the outcome after you deployed the solution?

  • How are you prepared for crisis situations?

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Rico
For now, I’m in a delicates situation. I have my launch programmed for the 3rd April, however I live in Bangkok and my condo is lockdown untill structural inspection. I don’t know if my setup survived and worst my backend is still running locally no git available or online backup (my mistake) I have my api gateway, my Shopify app, my chrome extension but I’m scared to loose my backend who handle all the business logic. So this is not related directly to reputation but what should I do guys? I’m in crisis and anxiety panic right now. Would you reprogram the launch asap or wait and see ?
Nika

@ricoboost Are you safe? You are in a very bad situation. In your case, I would rather postpone it for later, when such basic things as your dwelling and safety will be secure. Focus on one thing at once.

Rico
@busmark_w_nika I am safe lucky enough I had a motorbike to escape the city just after. I think it’s wise to postpone the launch. Thank you for your reply.
Matt McDonagh
Launching soon!

@ricoboost prayers for you brother -- you can use this to grow and become more

Matt McDonagh
Launching soon!

My best advice in general, when things are going sideways: communicate, then build a conversation.


Say what's happening, then keep that flow of information moving as you engage w/your investors, partners, employees to work together to triage and address the situation.


Going quiet is always the wrong move. Taking a few moments to think through the comms strategy is CORRECT but clamming up for days/weeks/months is NOT.

Nika

@matt__mcdonagh agree you should think twice about words and depending on the situation authorities' proclamations. Tho, it is needed to act promptly.

Matt McDonagh
Launching soon!

@busmark_w_nika well said Nika, People can forgive many things.... Slow walking bad news when it could potentially be turned into not so bad news, or even good news, providing you get to it early enough... That's when the trust terrain becomes impassable!