Institute for Crisis Management: Company Profile

Background

The Institute for Crisis Management (ICM) is a U.S.-based consulting firm specializing in crisis management and communications. Established in 1990, ICM was among the first firms in North America to focus exclusively on this niche, offering services that assist organizations in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from various crises. The firm's mission is to help organizations plan and prepare for crises or manage them when they occur, providing counsel rooted in decades of experience across numerous industries.

Key Strategic Focus

ICM's strategic focus encompasses:

Crisis Planning and Preparedness: Conducting vulnerability and risk assessments, developing risk-specific planning tools, and creating comprehensive crisis communication plans.

Training and Simulation: Offering management training, simulation exercises, and spokesperson/media training to ensure effective crisis response.

Crisis Response and Recovery: Providing on-site crisis response teams, message strategy development, executive coaching, media relations services, and post-crisis debriefing and response assessment.

These services are designed to help organizations effectively manage all phases of a crisis, from assessment and preparation to containment, mitigation, learning, and seizing opportunities that arise from the crisis.

Financials and Funding

ICM operates as an independent, privately held company. While specific financial details are not publicly disclosed, the firm is known for its boutique business model, which allows for flexibility and affordability in delivering crisis management services to organizations of all sizes.

Pipeline Development

As a consulting firm specializing in crisis management, ICM does not have a product pipeline in the traditional sense. Instead, the firm focuses on developing and delivering customized crisis management strategies and training programs tailored to the specific needs of its clients.

Technological Platform and Innovation

ICM leverages a range of technological tools and platforms to enhance its crisis management services, including:

Crisis Communication Management Course: An online course designed to prepare executives and management teams to lead before, during, and after a crisis.

Annual Crisis Report: A comprehensive report that analyzes crisis news stories to identify emerging trends and provide insights into the impact of crises on organizations and stakeholders.

These tools reflect ICM's commitment to integrating technology into its services to provide effective crisis management solutions.

Leadership Team

The leadership team at ICM includes:

Deborah Hileman, SCMP, FCSCE, CCMC: President and CEO. With over 35 years of experience in public relations and crisis communication, Ms. Hileman has led high-performing teams across various sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, insurance, financial services, nonprofits, and higher education.

Dan Hicks: Senior Consultant.

Sean Clancy: Vice President, Business Development and Senior Consultant.

Larry Smith: Senior Consultant.

The team comprises seasoned crisis experts with decades of experience in strategic communications, risk management, media relations, and public affairs.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The crisis management consulting industry is characterized by a diverse range of firms offering services such as crisis communication, risk assessment, and emergency response planning. The market is influenced by factors including the frequency and complexity of global crises, regulatory changes, and the increasing importance of reputation management.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the crisis management consulting space include:

Control Risks: A global risk and strategic consulting firm specializing in geopolitical, security, technical, and integrity risk assessments.

Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI): A global leader in crisis prevention, nonviolent physical intervention, and dementia care training for K-12 education, healthcare, and corporate customers.

Global Rescue: A crisis response, medical evacuation, and security extraction company offering field rescue, medical advisory, and telehealth services.

Everbridge: An enterprise software company providing applications that deliver information about critical events to assist with personal safety and business continuity.

These competitors offer a range of services that overlap with ICM's offerings, including crisis communication, risk assessment, and emergency response planning.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

ICM maintains strategic alliances with specialized firms to complement its services and provide clients with critical expertise. One such alliance is with Crazy Good Marketing, a national, full-service offline and online marketing agency that delivers results with a twist.

Operational Insights

ICM's boutique business model allows for flexibility and affordability in delivering crisis management services to organizations of all sizes. The firm's focus on customized solutions and its experienced leadership team provide a competitive advantage in the crisis management consulting industry.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

ICM continues to expand its services across North America and abroad, leveraging its expertise to assist organizations in effectively managing crises. The firm's commitment to integrating technology into its services, such as through its Crisis Communication Management Course and Annual Crisis Report, positions it well to meet the evolving needs of clients in a rapidly changing global landscape.