Sometimes the best way to describe what an organization does is to provide examples from past clients. A representative sampling follows:

Three months after conducting the workshop for a chemical company’s management team where one of the scenarios had been a fire in the warehouse close to residential neighbors, a fire broke out in that very warehouse.

“You would have been so proud of us! We knew just what to do. And the newspaper article in this morning’s paper was full of how competently we’d responded and how we’d communicated so well with everyone – especially our neighbors. We can’t thank you enough for helping us to prepare.”

Plant Manager
Humphrey Chemicals

A tragic accident at a manufacturing facility in Mexico brought his media training back to this plant manager.

“Many times people are simply ‘sent’ to crisis training management courses without much recognition of the importance of the topic. You might tell yourself you won’t really have to experience any of the very tough situations (Judy) made us role-play. However, when something serious actually happens, you are glad you had the opportunity to have practiced what you should do, how you should react, and what you should say to the various audiences with whom you should communicate.

A few months ago, we experienced a major incident in one of our facilities. As stressful as it all was, I found I was able to help my colleagues understand the need to communicate clearly, concisely and consistently. As I recalled the training, reviewed the handouts, and referenced Judy’s book, I was able to guide our management team….”

Plant Manager
BASF Facility
Altimeda, Mexico

Sometimes you can see a potential crisis brewing. The impending deadline of a union contract where the sides are far apart is one of those times. You know chances are good that there will be a strike; if there’s a strike, the media will be interested and there is always a chance for bad publicity.

“When Frontier Communications contracted with JCH Enterprises, the company was facing a possible job action by its union employees. After completing the workshop, the management team felt it had new tools that would allow our organization to handle a crisis methodically and effectively….My fellow managers now have a new appreciation for those of us who find ourselves in the proverbial ‘hotseat.’ It’s not a comfortable place to be unless you’ve done your homework in advance….Judy’s workshop was concise, yet comprehensive…and her ability to tailor the workshop to the issues of the telecommunications industry was very valuable.”

Judy Lekoski-Eurich
Marketing Communications Coord.
Frontier Communications

After a fatal school bus accident in our community, another local school bus company hired JCH Enterprises to help them prepare for possible accidents and other, less tragic incidents that can and do occur in the transportation industry.

“When incidents occur, the media scrutiny is intense and they need to find something or someone at fault. The media training program provided our management team with a re-focusing on how to work with reporters in allowing them the opportunity to get their story….Any corporation that does not have a media response plan in place along with their crisis management plan is opening themselves to a nightmare.”

John D. Corr, Jr.
President
The Trans Group, LLC

Public information officers must be well prepared to provide timely and accurate information to the media and the public in the wake of an emergency response incident. JCH Enterprises has conducted several workshops for public agency emergency responders.

“In conversations with other members of our Local Emergency Planning Committee – both law enforcement and fire services personnel – we agreed that this training should be required for all those who might be called upon to act as Information Officers prior to any actual emergency.”

John W. Pinckney, Secretary
Orange County (NY) Local
Emergency Planning Committee

“This was the most ‘hands-on’ public information course I have ever attended. At the conclusion of Judy’s course, a beginner could effectively function as a public information spokesperson during an emergency situation. No small task.”

Philip M. Schmer, Acting Director
Emergency Management Office
Orange County, New York

A company was alerted to the fact that producers from 60 Minutes were asking questions about them in the community. Plans for a workshop to be held that winter were moved up to the fall! In addition to the usual workshop to help the company prepare if that investigative reporting ever took place, JCH Enterprises worked with the company to develop a successful strategy to preclude that interview.

“The training was insightful….without a doubt, we are better prepared to respond to questions from the press and handle an inquiry or complaint from the public. Judy is very talented and offers a lot of first-hand experience to her clients. She did not use ‘scare tactics’ to get her information across.”

Randall Whitmore
Responsible Care Manager
El Dorado Chemical Company

Many times public relations and legal advisors provide conflicting advice about how open an organization should be when communicating during a crisis. JCH Enterprises attempts to bring the lawyers to the table during the media training workshops so differences can be ironed out BEFORE a crisis hits.

“I have found that my job as corporate counsel is so much easier when management is equipped to communicate with the media in the simple, straightforward, productive manner which you advocate and when they are able to deliver the clear, polished message through the communication processes that you helped us develop. You do valuable work and obviously know your stuff. It was a pleasure to learn from a pro.”

William C. Pitcher, Vice President
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Buckman Laboratories

A utility was interested in siting an electrical generating facility in the metropolitan New York City area. A vocal group of local residents tried to prevent the company from obtaining needed permits. The company was required to prepare and implement a Public Involvement Program as part of the Article X regulatory requirements.

“JCH Enterprises took the lead in organizing the Citizens Advisory Group (CAG) and helped us move the permitting process along through some formidable organized resistance. Judy’s calming presence at some of our more contentious public meetings was invaluable….She organized and attended public forums…and performed a wide variety of public relations functions.”

David A. Devine
Project Development Manager, Calpine

A family-owned company which had been in the business of dealing with the clean-up of oil spills and the contaminated soils associated with for many years them undertook a proposal to establish and operate a new soil-burning incinerator.

“When some members of the public launched a misguided, vocal campaign against our operation, trying very hard to ensure that we did not receive the required environmental permits, we called on JCH Enterprises to help us. Judy guided us in our interactions with the town officials, the public and the media. In particular, she helped us prepare audio-visual materials and practice our delivery when we had an opportunity to make a presentation to an influential group of community leaders. I am confident that the reason this meeting went so well was due, in large part, to her efforts in working with us.

In addition, when we had an operational incident at our facility that upset some of our neighbors, Judy advised our managers on how to address the situation. By following her advice, we were able to turn a potentially serious public perception problem into an opportunity to improve our communications and relationship with the facility’s closest neighbors.”

Blair W. Dominiak
Manager, Regulatory Compliance
TPS Technologies Inc.

When a local activist started vocally criticizing and promoting fear about a chemical company in the neighborhood, the company called in JCH Enterprises. After a plant tour and a free-ranging dialogue, the visitors had a much clearer view of the company and how it operates and were less likely to pay attention to the lone voice trying to stir up trouble.

“Mrs. Hoffman helped to make Hatco’s first Neighbor Focus Group meeting a total community relations success. Her suggestions of involving employees in community outreach efforts, assessing community questions and concerns about the facility, and responding to safety, health and environmental issues were critical to the success of the meeting. Mrs. Hoffman has always been most helpful in providing information and advice about community relations and outreach programs.”

David J. Mason
V.P. – Regulatory Affairs
Hatco

An activist group claimed to have proof that the product of a manufacturer of electrical plugs used in medical devices was defective, thereby causing potential danger to patients in hospitals and nursing homes. The company did not feel that a recall was warranted and wanted to explore alternatives. JCH Enterprises worked with the team of managers. They were able to address the issues and demonstrate to the company’s customers and the regulators that there was not sufficient cause to take this step.

“I want to express my deep appreciation for the wise counsel you provided me….Your advice was helpful, and your expertise in crisis communication was reassuring for me when I bounced my ideas off you on how to proceed with our situation.”

Mitch Samuels
President
Electri-Cord Manufacturing Co.

A chemical manufacturing company wanted to conduct an Open House for their neighbors, but were not sure how to go about it. They called on JCH Enterprises for advice.

“Judy and (the Plant Manager) toured the premises to simulate the Open House….Judy’s observations were very helpful and we intend to follow through on her recommendations.”

Karl A. Behrend
Heico Chemicals, Inc.

Participating in one of the workshops on “Coaching to Meet the Press and Other Hostile Audiences” was the dispatcher for a local school bus company.

“Our dispatcher attests to the fact that her work life has been dramatically changed for the better since the day of the workshop. One portion of the day was spent teaching us the four-step process of ‘Taking the HEAT.’ Since our dispatcher is the one who receives the phone calls from upset parents when something has gone awry, she has had almost daily practice in using the principles Judy taught. She knows how well they have worked for her in solving problems.”

Bob and Jay Brisman, Owners
West Point Tours, Inc.

Those in healthcare often find themselves faced with irritable, angry people. High expectations of patients and their families combined with a nursing shortage and resources stretched thin is a recipe for aggravation. JCH Enterprises was asked to provide a workshop for department heads and middle managers in a local hospital.

“With her calm and no-nonsense approach to dealing with crises and conflict, Judy’s workshops provide participants with commonsense methods for dealing with hostility and conflict….She is extremely skilled at identifying the appropriate strategies for addressing negative situations and selecting avenues for remedying them….The feedback (after her sessions) was positive, as managers frequently find themselves engaged in conflict resolution and often feel ill-equipped to respond effectively.”

Jonnie L. Wesley-Krueger
Training, Education & Development
Orange Regional Medical Center

“We invited Judy to be a guest presenter at an Open House for local discharge planners and social workers. Her topic of “Dealing Effectively with Angry People hit a ‘hot button’ with those in attendance and her presentation was enthusiastically received. Later that day, she presented on the same subject to our own staff with an equally positive reaction.”

Kathleen Murphy
Vice President – Rehabilitation
St. Charles Hospital

When home heating oil prices skyrocketed in 2000, Judy was asked to address the 18th National Oilheat Conference. Just prior to the conference, one of the members of the group was involved in a crisis where the driver had delivered thousands of gallons of oil to a home that had no tank in its basement!

“'Help! My Customers are Yelling at Me!' was a great conference opener, very relevant to the audience….Attendees appreciated your insights and left with several new management ideas.”

Jennifer Poinsett
Mgr of Meetings and Conventions
Petroleum Marketers Association of America

Any organization which has a high level of public interface knows how difficult some of these interactions can be, especially when the organization’s clients or customers are not always calm or even rational in their requests or demands. Staff members can become extremely distressed, especially if they do not have a skill set they can call upon to help them get through it.

“Without exception, everyone who attended Judy’s session found the information concise, easy to understand, and most of all, extremely useful. Judy has empowered us with the knowledge and skills to deal with upset clients….Staff members were put at ease and were more than willing to share their ‘war stories.’ On behalf of the entire staff, thank you for the most worthwhile staff development workshop we have had to date.”

Ellyn Cohen
Marketing Manager
JCC-Y Community Center of Rockland County (NY)

The president of a bank was facing what he knew was going to be a very difficult shareholder meeting with tough questions. The media was also showing some interest as the annual meeting date approached. JCH Enterprises conducted a media training workshop but then, along with the usual scenarios, simulated a shareholders meeting.

“It is my personal belief that the businessman with the keen foresight to adequately prepare himself for unexpected situations which he might encounter in everyday business dealings is the one who usually comes out on top. Self assurance and confidence to face the unexpected are attributes all executives should posses in order to succeed in the corporate environment. With Judy’s help, I can honestly say I now feel more secure with my public image and how I project it.”

William C. Myers
Former CEO
Middletown Savings Bank

A businessman who had recently written a book about business-to-business golf (his passion) wanted to obtain some speaking engagements to promote the book. While a very nice man with beneficial information to convey, his platform skills needed honing. By presenting his intended message in a mock speech, he was able to receive constructive criticism and feedback that allowed him to make major improvements to his delivery style.

“Judy’s one-on-one help to listen, analyze and constructively comment on my presentation (both content and delivery) was of great value. It gave me the confidence to improve my presentation techniques and organize my thoughts more effectively….It is important to have a qualified outside resource…look at these things objectively. I appreciate the suggestions and look forward to more ‘dry runs’ with Judy.”

Michael A. Smith
Author, “Business to Business Golf”