A single poorly handled incident can undo years of good work, and in the age of social media the first hour often decides how the story is told. This five-day foundation programme prepares newcomers to communicate with purpose in calm periods and under pressure. It begins with strategic communication: setting objectives, understanding audiences, shaping messages and choosing channels that fit an organisation's goals.
The crisis half of the week follows the life cycle of an incident, from risk scanning and a crisis communication plan to the first statement, media briefings, internal updates and recovery. You practise writing holding statements and key messages, preparing a spokesperson, using social media responsibly and countering rumours and misinformation. Realistic scenarios include a product recall, a data breach, a workplace accident and a funding scandal. The course suits communication officers, public relations assistants, programme staff, administrators, junior managers and anyone newly asked to speak for an organisation in government, NGOs or business. It runs in classrooms, online or in-house with a CPD-accredited certificate. You finish with a simple communication plan and a ready-to-use crisis toolkit.
Reputation is among the most valuable and most fragile assets an organisation holds. Trust takes years to build, yet it can be damaged within hours by an accident, a leak, a service failure or an unfortunate post. Organisations that communicate well in a crisis are usually those that already communicate well every day, with clear objectives, known spokespeople and good relationships with their audiences.
This introductory course therefore joins strategic and crisis communication in one learning path. Participants first learn the building blocks: defining objectives, analysing stakeholders and audiences, crafting a core narrative and selecting channels from media relations to digital platforms. They then study how crises develop, how to assess their seriousness, and what a workable crisis communication plan contains, including roles, approval routes, contact lists and monitoring arrangements. Sessions on message development, media interviews and social media give practical techniques for the critical first hours. The final sessions cover recovery, rebuilding trust and learning from the event.
The course assumes no prior background. Teaching is hands-on, with short exercises, role plays and simulated press briefings, and participants complete a personal toolkit with a plan outline, message templates and a checklist they can adapt to their own workplace.
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
Participants leave with:
The course is practical and paced for beginners. It features:
Day 1: Foundations of Strategic Communication
Day 2: Channels, Media and Digital Platforms
Day 3: Understanding and Preparing for Crises
Day 4: Responding in the First Hours
Day 5: Online Pressure, Recovery and Learning
The course is for people who are new to communications or who are about to take on a spokesperson or planning role, including:
Participants who attend all sessions and take part in the simulations receive a CPD-accredited Certificate of Completion issued by Vision Reach Global Consultancy.
Upcoming cohorts
CPD-Accredited
Official invoice & confirmation letter provided
Team discount for 3+ seats
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Everything you need to know about this course before you register.
By the end of the Fundamentals of Crisis & Strategic Communication programme, you'll be able to define strategic communication and set clear communication objectives, analyse stakeholders and tailor messages to different audiences, explain the stages of a crisis and assess the severity of an incident, and outline the key sections of a crisis communication plan. The full breakdown of topics is covered session by session in the Course Outline tab above.
The course is for people who are new to communications or who are about to take on a spokesperson or planning role, including: Communication, public relations and media officers, Programme officers and project coordinators, Administrative and executive assistants supporting senior leaders, Junior and middle managers, Customer service and community relations staff, Social media and digital content officers, Staff in county and national government departments, and Volunteers and officers in NGOs and faith-based organisations.
Fundamentals of Crisis & Strategic Communication Training Course typically runs as 5 Days. It's available as in-person classroom, live virtual, and in-house corporate training — every course can also be delivered on-site for your team on dates that suit you.
Fundamentals of Crisis & Strategic Communication Training Course is scheduled in-classroom in Nairobi, Kenya, Mombasa, Kenya, Naivasha, Kenya, and Kisumu, Kenya, and 14 other locations, plus a live interactive virtual classroom you can join from anywhere. Check the schedule panel above for exact upcoming dates and fees in each location.
The next live virtual cohort of Fundamentals of Crisis & Strategic Communication starts November 2, 2026, with new classroom cohorts also running on a rolling basis. Pick a date and location in the schedule panel above, then click "Register for the Course" — it takes a few minutes and your seat is confirmed once payment or a signed purchase order is received.
Yes — delegates who meet the attendance requirement receive a Certificate of Completion for Fundamentals of Crisis & Strategic Communication Training Course from Vision Reach Global Consultancy, issued in the name you register with, so double-check the spelling at checkout.
Fundamentals of Crisis & Strategic Communication Training Course is pitched at beginner professionals. If you're unsure whether it's the right fit for your current role or background, message our training advisors before you register and they'll help you confirm.
Fees for Fundamentals of Crisis & Strategic Communication Training Course vary by delivery location and format and are shown in real time in the schedule panel above once you pick a date. Register 3 or more delegates on the same course together and a 5% team discount is applied automatically — larger cohorts can request a custom corporate quote.
Yes — Fundamentals of Crisis & Strategic Communication Training Course can be delivered on-site at your offices (or virtually for distributed teams), with case studies and examples tailored to your industry and the specific challenges your team is working through. Switch to the "In-House" tab in the schedule panel above to request a proposal.
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