‘Crisis Proof’, a book by the crisis management consultant Jonathan Hemus, was among winners at the 2021 Business Book Awards on May 25. Selected from hundreds of entries and a shortlist of 86 books, judges awarded ‘Crisis Proof: How to prepare for the worst day of your business life’ by Jonathan Hemus, first place in the Specialist Business Book of the Year category.
The Business Book Awards aim to champion the best business books published in 2021. A shortlist was chosen by a panel UK business journalists, academics, thought-leaders and entrepreneurs. Announcing Crisis Proof as the winner of its category, judge Suzanne Collier said: “I wish we could give a copy of Crisis Proof to every business in the UK”.
Jonathan Hemus, pictured, is managing director of the Birmingham-based crisis management consultancy Insignia. It covers the need for businesses to plan for an ever-riskier world where crises include cyber attacks, social media controversy, acts of terrorism, accidents and management misbehaviour. He was interviewed in the April 2021 print edition of Professional Security magazine.
Jonathan said: “I wrote Crisis Proof so that business leaders can avoid the needless damage caused to their business, its reputation and stakeholders as a result of a mishandled crisis. I am delighted to have won this prestigious award but even better is hearing from readers how Crisis Proof has enabled them to protect their organisations. The critical importance of this capability has been highlighted by the challenges posed by the pandemic.”
Judge Suzanne Collier commented: “This book helps you plan for any crisis long before it happens. Everyone in business should read this book. It is destined to be a business classic.”
Crisis Proof sets out the steps needed to make a business ‘crisis ready’ from how to create and embed a crisis-resistant culture, through to developing a high-performing crisis management team and the essential characteristics of a successful crisis response. You can buy the book from the Insignia website.
Jonathan has more than 25 years’ experience in crisis and issues management working for businesses including Cathay Pacific, Lidl and Stagecoach. He added: “It’s not the crisis itself that destroys a business, it’s the organisation’s response. Crisis Proof aims to address this by providing a framework, insights and insider knowledge to prevent or overcome any crisis.
“With the right culture, leadership and commitment, businesses can prevent crises from occurring, or respond so well that their stakeholders, reputation and financial value are protected,” concludes Jonathan. “Reading Crisis Proof will help them achieve this goal.”
Founder of the Business Book Awards, Lucy McCarraher said: “The year 2020 presented some unprecedented challenges to businesses, publishers and authors alike, so it has been great to see how well people have adapted, both personally and professionally, to produce some incredible books. Business books continue to provide invaluable advice, inspiration and support for millions of people around the world, so we’re delighted to celebrate such a strong and diverse selection of winners again in the fourth year of The Business Book Awards.”
