Not an option — a necessity.
Crises are inevitable. How you communicate determines the outcome and your reputation.
You have the manuals. Do you also have the practice?
Crisis manuals, checklists and contact lists are in place. But are you truly ready when the phone rings, the camera is rolling and journalists demand answers? Communication in a crisis is not theory — it is reflex, composure and craft under maximum pressure.
SPARKPOINT trains crisis communication as what it is in reality: confrontational, surprising, emotional and time-critical. With realistic simulations of plausible crisis scenarios that show no regard for comfort. So that when the real thing happens, you have already been through it.
Clear messages under pressure. Confident handling of hostile media. Steering the crisis narrative. Synchronising internal and external communication. Stakeholder management in an exceptional situation. Avoiding the classic crisis mistakes that allow situations to escalate.
- —Board members and CEOs in sensitive industries
- —Communications professionals and spokespersons
- —Crisis teams and task forces
- —Companies facing foreseeable communication risks
- —HR executives before difficult internal communication situations
- —Regulated industries with elevated crisis potential
What is trained
Formulating and delivering crisis statements
Media training under crisis pressure
Handling social media in a crisis
Leading internal crisis communication
Q&A confidence under aggressive questioning
Complete crisis plan simulation
Steering narratives and anchoring messages
Recognising and avoiding classic crisis mistakes
The training simulates plausible, realistic crisis scenarios — not from textbooks, but from the experience of real crises. Media enquiries, camera appearances, social media escalation and internal communication are run through under real time pressure. Feedback is precise, honest and immediately applicable.
Christof Schramm
Christof Schramm has been working as an executive communication trainer and CEO coach for board members, managing directors and leadership teams since 1999 — in M&A transactions, IPOs, media situations and critical leadership transitions.
View profile →Format & Structure
- Individually tailored to the crisis risk profile of the company
- Individual or team training
- One-day or multi-day intensive formats
- Complete crisis exercise as a closed simulation
- In-person or remote available
- Confidential and discreet — also for highly sensitive scenarios
Modules & Formats
Crisis media training
Simulation of critical media situations: uncomfortable questions, allegations, reputational risks, regulatory topics, misconduct, product recalls and public criticism. Preparation for what is never comfortable.
Crisis statement and press communication
Training for public statements, crisis statements, press conferences and handling media pressure in acute crisis situations. Clear, calm, credible — even under maximum observation.
Crisis communication on social media
Preparation for communication in digital channels: social media storms, misinformation, escalation dynamics and managing public perception in real time.
Internal crisis communication
Leadership communication in exceptional situations: restructuring, redundancies, compliance incidents, accidents. How do you say difficult things clearly, fairly and credibly?
Crisis response and Q&A confidence
Handling aggressive follow-up questions, insinuations, allegations and the destabilising effect of unexpected questions. Maintaining composure. Regaining the initiative. Steering the narrative.
Crisis plan simulation
Realistic crisis exercise with a complete scenario: media enquiries, social media escalation, internal communication and stakeholder management — as a closed simulation under time pressure.
Frequently asked questions
What is crisis communication training?
Crisis communication training prepares executives and communication teams for situations where companies come under pressure: critical media enquiries, allegations, reputational risks, restructurings, product recalls, regulatory investigations or public criticism. SPARKPOINT simulates these situations realistically — before the crisis occurs.
For whom is crisis communication training relevant?
For anyone who must communicate externally in a crisis: CEOs, board members, communications directors, spokespersons and investor relations managers. Leadership teams who communicate internally in restructuring situations also benefit from the training.
How realistic are the simulations?
Very realistic. Our trainers come from journalism, TV newsrooms and corporate communications — they know how journalists research and ask questions in crises. We simulate scenarios that could actually occur for your company, with specific questions and provocative interview situations.
Can an entire communication team be trained?
Yes. SPARKPOINT trains both individuals (CEO, spokesperson) and teams (communications team, crisis team). In team training we also work on coordination, message alignment and collective performance under pressure.
How quickly can crisis communication training be booked?
Very quickly. Since crises are rarely plannable, we can organise training within 24–48 hours. Ideally, however, executives train prophylactically — before a crisis occurs — not only when the first journalists are already calling.