The German BCI Forum has today officially announced the dates for the Seventh German-speaking BCI Congress.

The Congress that will be taking place on 6th to 7th September 2012 in Stuttgart, Germany, has set as its theme “BCM 2012 – Communication and the Human Factor”.

A Call for Papers has also been issued.  Recommendations for papers include the following, but further suggestions are also welcome:

• Communication in a crisis – why does it often fail?
• Communication is everything – developing Communication Strategies as an integral part of BCM implementation
• How to communicate and deal with traumatised colleagues and other people
• Escalation – Information – Communication and not just on paper
• Preventive Communication with Emergency Services – fear of contact is out of place in times of crises
• Twitter and Co – Friend or Foe of the Crisis Management Team?
• Online chat and how it might damage your reputation – is this a topic for a BCM?
• Using Social Networks for timely, prompt Crisis Communication to stakeholders
• ISO 22301
• Regulation outside of the Financial Sector
• Lessons Learned from Tests – why no test should be free of errors
• No need to be afraid of assessors thanks to the BCM Audi Programme and Self-Assessment
• Dealing with the Media before a crisis happens
• Working successfully with IT
• Raising Awareness of BCM topics – how all your staff must be involved in BCM processes
• Breaking free of the silos – ensuring an integrated communication approach
• BCM as part of Change Management
• Training of Crisis Management Teams

The deadline for submission is 4th May 2012. To submit a paper, interested speakers are required to register their details first.  All details pertaining to the submission, including Rules of Submission and the Compensation being offered to speakers will be forwarded on registration.  To register >>

Matthias Rosenberg, BCI representative in Germany:

“This last year has seen a tremendous growth in the spread and adoption of BCM in Germany.  Companies beyond the regulated financial industry are now realizing the benefits associated with the implementation of this holistic management process as more and more third parties are showing interest in a company’s BCM practices, from the auditor at year end to insurance companies requesting evidence of continuity plans in order to validate reductions in premiums right through to the supply chain.

This event promises to be a BCM highlight in the German-speaking world and we hope that as many organisations as possible will grasp the opportunities this event affords them with both hands and attend.”