Manage a small online business that sells herbal supplements
Go beyond the textbook and presentation definitions. Answer questions in an essay format. Document any sources of quoted or paraphrased material or outside information, including the textbook. Detailed responses are required.
1. Assume you manage a small online business that sells herbal supplements. Without your
knowledge, a disgruntled employee has posted damaging information about your company
to the company’s public blog, including false information about dangerous ingredients in
your best-selling supplement. What specific steps would you take to minimize the impact of
this crisis?
2. Explain the meaning of the grapevine. Explain how communication through grapevine can
be detrimental to firm. Provide and original example. Explain why a manager needs to
understand how the grapevine works within their organization. How a manager might use
the grapevine to their advantage?
3. Describe the elements of the communication model in Exhibit 13.2. Give an example of
each part of the model as it exists in a face to face classroom during communication
between teacher and students. Do the same for an online classroom.
Sample Solution
1. Steps to Minimize the Impact of Damaging Information Posted by a Disgruntled Employee: Here are the specific steps to take to minimize the impact of a crisis caused by a disgruntled employee posting damaging information on your company's blog:- Immediate Action and Assessment:
- Remove the Content: The first step is to immediately remove the false and damaging information from the company blog to prevent further spread.
- Document Everything: Preserve all evidence of the original post, including screenshots and any metadata, as this may be needed for legal purposes.
- Assess the Damage: Evaluate the potential impact of the post by considering factors such as how long it was visible, how many people saw it, and whether it has been shared on other platforms.
Full Answer Section
Crisis Response Plan: Disgruntled Employee Posts Damaging Info on Company Blog
Phase 1: Immediate Containment & Control (Minutes to Hours)
-
Revoke Access Immediately: Before even removing the post (or simultaneously if possible), revoke the disgruntled employee's access to the blog platform, company network, email, and any other relevant systems. This prevents further malicious posts or data tampering. This is arguably Step 0 or 1a.
-
Remove the Content: As you stated, swiftly remove the false and damaging information from the company blog. Ensure all cached versions are cleared if possible.
-
Document Everything: Absolutely critical.
-
Take clear screenshots of the post before removal, including the URL, timestamp, and any visible author information.
-