In the dynamic ecosystem in which we all operate, the focus of operational resilience and internal risk and resilience standards on customer engagement and understanding is key. It drives the increasing importance of consultation and communication, which constantly emerge as a thread that links risk and resilience principles and processes together.

Risk communications is a phrase understood differently by different sectors. Consider how a government or local authority uses risk communications during a major flood or fire to influence the behaviours of the public. Commercial organisations use risk and resilience communications not only to deal with their own major incidents, but also to communicate with stakeholders, to improve culture, embed strategies and ensure they retain valuable employees and customers.  

Good risk and resilience communication is fundamental to building a strong, proactive risk culture and a dynamic profitable business. Improving your communications can unlock a diverse range of ideas and knowledge, as well as creating a happier and more engaged workplace where employees feel confident to explore opportunities. At the UK Finance Risk and Resilience Academy we explore the key risk and resilience communication approaches used across organisations to communicate effectively with stakeholders and add value across businesses.   

Organisations need to consider their communication plans at an early stage of their risk and resilience journey when establishing their approach, framework and processes. These communications should consider, both internal and external stakeholders.  Establishing clear communication links with key stakeholders to understand their perceptions, and ensuring they are considered in decision-making, is critical to building resilient organisations.

Embedding strong effective risk and resilience communications into every layer of your risk and resilience approach, from operational to strategic level, can drive value through: 

• Preventing crises from developing  
• Ensuring stakeholder? perceptions and interests are understood and considered
• Helping to identify opportunities and threats

It can also help you make better risk-based decisions and lead to:

• Different views considered when defining risk appetite, analysing and evaluating risks and developing action plans
• Improved team dynamics
• A smoother implementation of policies and processes
• A proactive change to build greater resilience
• Continual improvement and evolution
• Building trust in the organisation's reputation.

Proactive positive communication with your stakeholders is essential. To find out more about risk communications, from driving effective risk communication strategies during ?peace time? and during a critical incident, to the tools and techniques that can be integrated into your risk and resilience systems, join us on the Academy in March,