Strengthening Crisis Readiness: Turning Communication into Action in APAC (feat. PT DICG ID)
On 27 April 2026, PT DIC Graphics Indonesia (DICG ID) took an important step in strengthening its crisis readiness through a dedicated Crisis Communication Training, led by Avril Phua from DIC Asia Pacific, Singapore.
Bringing together teams from Jakarta, Surabaya, and Pardic Jaya, the session was a hands-on opportunity to align how we respond, communicate, and act during a crisis.
Why Crisis Communication Matters
In times of crisis, how we communicate is just as important as what we do.
Through real-world insights and practical examples, participants explored how:
- Delayed responses can fuel uncertainty
- Miscommunication can escalate situations
- Silence can damage trust and credibility
The key message: A crisis does not wait, and neither should our response.
Below are some Key Takeaways and highlights during the session in DICG ID that everyone can learn from.
5 Key Takeaways from Crisis Communications Training
- The First 15 Minutes are Critical
One of the most critical lessons: Prepare an initial holding statement within 15 minutes. This ensures:
- Stakeholders hear from us first
- Information remains controlled and accurate
- Speculation is minimized
- Communicate Internally and Externally at the Same Time
Effective crisis communication is not one-directional:
- Employees need clear guidance on what is happening and what actions to take
- External stakeholders, such as customers, authorities, and the public, require factual and consistent information to prevent speculation.
The key message: Alignment is key. Everyone should hear the same message.
- Clear Roles & Responsibilities are Critical
A significant part of the discussion focused on the roles within the crisis committee, including the chairman, spokesperson, and internal communication coordinators.
The spokesperson should be carefully selected based on the nature of the crisis, ensuring that the most appropriate and knowledgeable representative communicates with the media and external stakeholders.
Participants were also reminded of the importance of having:
- Clear escalation pathways
- Established communication channels, such as dedicated internal messaging groups
The key message: These structures are essential to enable fast coordination and effective decision-making during emergencies.
- Not Every Issue is a Crisis – but Know When it Becomes One
Through real-life scenarios such as chemical spills, cyberattacks, supply disruptions, participants practiced identifying operational issues, escalated concerns, and full-scale crises.
The key message: Correctly identifying the type of situation leads to the correct response.
- Silence is NOT a Strategy
Another key topic was narrative control, particularly in today’s digital environment.
Avril Phua shared that silence is not a viable strategy during a crisis, as it often allows speculation and misinformation to spread faster.
Employees play a critical role by:
- Avoiding sharing unverified information
- Using only official communication channels
Building a Crisis-Ready Organization
The interactive discussions allowed participants to apply these principles in realistic situations – helping bridge the gap between theory and action.
By aligning teams across locations, this training has strengthened our collective ability to respond quickly, communicate clearly, and protect both our people and our reputation during critical situations.
While a crisis may be unpredictable, our response does not have to be. Being prepared starts with knowing what to say, when to say it, and how to act – together as one organization.
A final reminder: Crisis preparedness is everyone’s responsibility, not just the crisis team’s.
