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NEW YORK, December 9, 2003—American Management
Association (AMA) has brought together leading experts in security, crisis
management and business continuity to discuss the related trends and challenges
affecting U.S. businesses. AMA has formed a Security Council to provide
the association with practical, timely and expert guidance in gathering
information for developing new services and products for its members and
customers.
Executives on AMA’s Security Council are
recognized authorities in their fields, representing a wide variety of
corporate, government and nonprofit organizations, including the National
Football League, Toyota Motor Sales, Ernst & Young, Massachusetts
General Hospital and Georgetown University.
“This unique network of leaders from a variety
of industries provides a distinct and important service to American Management
Association,” said Vice President of Councils Virginia O’Connor.
“Executives in AMA’s Security Council will help AMA focus
on important global and domestic issues, from terrorism and SARS, to evacuation
planning, employee screening, cyber threats, workplace violence, travel
safety, hazardous material and mailroom safety and natural disasters.”
According to AMA research, crisis management and security
issues are chief concerns among U.S. business executives. More companies
have crisis management plans in place in 2003 than they did in 2002. In
fact, 64% of executives surveyed said their companies have a crisis management
plan, up from 49% in 2002. And 62% of the companies have designated a
crisis management team, compared to 54% last year, while 42% have conducted
crisis drills or simulations, up from 39% in 2002.
AMA surveyed 146 members and customers from August 4
to 22, 2003, about the preparations their companies have taken in the
event of a crisis. Of those companies that have crisis management plans,
87% also have written contingency plans in place. According to the respondents,
the primary reason for having a plan is to ensure continuous customer
service (71%), mitigate financial loss (12%) and protect the company brand/reputation
(7%).
More than a third of respondents (38%) said their companies
offer training on security issues, up from 35% in 2002. And 39% said that
key personnel across all business lines have been trained in crisis management
skills, compared to 29% last year.
The Security Council is one of AMA’s 12 Global
Councils, including Finance, General Management, Human Resources, Information
Systems and Technology, Insurance and Risk Management, Manufacturing and
Project Management, Sales, Marketing and Communications, Corporate Administrative
Services, Supply Chain Management and International.
About AMA
American Management Association is the world’s leading membership-based
management development organization. For 80 years, it has provided valuable
and practical action-oriented learning programs to people at all levels,
in all industries, from companies and agencies of all sizes. More than
500,000 AMA customers and members a year learn new skills and behaviors,
gain more confidence, advance their careers and contribute to the success
of their organizations through a wide range of AMA seminars, conferences
and executive forums, as well as through AMA books and publications, research
and print and online self-study courses.
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