There comes a time when virtually everyone in business and public life finds themselves in (to use a highly technical term) “deep doggy doo-doos”. This is a moment when the public and the media have, for whatever reason, rounded upon them with a vengeance.

Whether an act of omission or commission the newsmakers generally find themselves embroiled in a crisis, seemingly without warning.

If they are honest with themselves they will probably admit they should have seen the consequences of their action (or inaction) coming and they could have evolved a response plan, put it on the shelf, crossed their fingers they would never need it, and moved on with their activities knowing that, if worst came to worst, they could cope with the crisis.

Every good business has a business continuity plan, what to do if it has an IT failure, a power loss or natural disaster strikes.

Good businesses should also worry about and plan for what happens if the unnatural disaster of a media furore erupts around them.

Which is why I have to ask: What was Dr Patrick Strange and Transpower thinking? Transpower has had more power cuts in this city than Aucklanders have had cold dinners.

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