How to Respond to a Crisis in Business

Professional Communication Training

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Melissa DeLay,
TruPerception's
Message Maven

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Melissa DeLay is a speaker, author, and award-winning founder and principal owner of TruPerception.

With more than two decades of strategic and corporate communication experience–including consulting for entities such as Ameriprise Financial and the state of Minnesota, as well as holding senior positions with 3M, Carlson Companies, Maytag, and AmeriPride–she knows how to deliver the right words, in the right way to drive change, manage crises, boost engagement, and build a stronger brand.

Jill Gutterman
Global Customer Experience Strategy at 3M

Melissa ensures that every message is articulated in a way that truly inspires customers. It is rare to find someone with her level of passion. She flawlessly raises moral via executive coaching and ensures digital videos conveyed the correct message and tone. Melissa embodies the role of coach and leader in everything she does.

Lem Amen
CEO at Viking Engineering & Development

Melissa is always inventive, shaping team culture and inspiring engagement through well-crafted, influential messages. Her on-camera coaching skills are outstanding, and I've yet to see anyone in her industry with as much drive, passion, energy and communications expertise. She's a rock-star!!

Stacey Schmitt
Profit Engineer at GreenSlate Group

Melissa is my right hand, go-to person for content, writing and on-camera coaching. She can take any content that I have written and put it into a succinct, easy to understand piece of 'art'.

Hap Aziz
Associate Vice President at University of Bridgeport

Melissa's video coaching was on target, and as a result, our final video footage was extremely polished and effective. Her enthusiasm and experience kept me encouraged and engaged through the whole taping process that ran very late into the evening. I would highly recommend her services to anyone seeking a skilled video coach.

Mary “Bumblebee” Pokluda
Founder & Queen Bee at Bumblebee Concierge

Melissa has the gift of words. I have hired her on several occasions for clients and for my business. She always delivers the perfect message, is a vital part of my team and I’m always referring her to clients, colleagues and partners. I appreciate her professionalism and discretion. Melissa truly is a Message Maven.

Rich Blakeman
Sales Vice President, Miller Heiman

Melissa supported my strategic initiatives as a true partner and advisor. She communicates exceedingly well with the most senior of executives, is able to take limited direction and come back with spectacular results. She manages through the politics of life with grace, never once failing to keep her own integrity and values in the forefront.

Michelle Taney
CEO at SourcePrint

I'm encouraging everyone is my business life to work with Melissa. Her magical phrases are truly magical. As a business owner, I tend to forget about the little details and how my business is perceived. Melissa brought to my attention the importance of communication, and what "words" and "tone" do for a business.

Stacey Stratton
CSP President/CEO, True Talent Group

Melissa is absolutely fabulous. If you'd like to gain knowledge on how to communicate those dreadful conversations and come out looking like a hero, you should definitely be working with her.

Pete Swanson
Sales Training Specialist at Universal Hospital Services

Melissa definitely has a way with words! She can tackle the most sensitive topics and still promote change in others. While moving our sales team to a global automation system, she ensured a deep level of buy-in and enthusiasm. Melissa is a master at delivering bad news. She is intensely sensitive and takes professionalism to a whole new level.

Brenda Piekarski
Video Producer, Director and Editor

Melissa is definitely on my speed dial, and she should be on yours too! She is outstanding at developing key message! She is extremely personable, thinks big and has the skills to deliver. She's written several video scripts for my clients, and I'm always impressed with her prompt responses, dedication to excellence and creative thinking!

Dr. Ro Schmidt

Hey lovely lady, thank you for your sage advice and unbelievable crisis management skills. I would not have made it through this without you. Your support was absolutely life changing

William Huffman

You did a live edit today on my email to a client. It was amazing to watch you work. The changes you suggested made it so much better. I has no idea there was a good way to deliver bad news, until you. Seriously save me from what could have been a major disaster, I’m sure it won’t be the last time! Thank you!!! Thank you

Boss Man Bing

You got big kudos at the BOD meeting today. Congrats on everything you’re doing, Melissa! I’ve never met a CEO who didn’t need your help, and I will keep sending them your way

Christine Chen

Hi, Melissa! I used the power phrase you wrote to clear up the conflict. It only took 10 minutes and the rest of the meeting was smooth sailing! Thank you so much!!

Brenda Tushaus

As usual, your advice was spot on! I have been overwhelmed with calls, text and email- all words of encouragement. I don’t know what I do without you

Consulting

As your crisis management consultant, Melissa takes a hands-on approach to build you a proactive reputation and crisis management strategy.
  • Programs are created to prevent and handle active crisis
  • 1-on-1 coaching or group training available
  • Retainers include 24/7 access to Melissa’s expertise during active crises
Speaking Services

Writing

Melissa knows how to deliver the right words, in the right way to drive change to manage and avoid crises. Services include but are not limited to:
  • Executive ghostwriting services
  • Resumes, cover letters, and job kits
  • Speeches and talking points
  • Social media response strategy
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Speaking

Are you looking for an engaging award-winning crisis management and leadership guest speaker?
  • Speaking programs include providing real-world examples and practical situations from over two decades in the industry
  • Work with Melissa at her workshops and attend her keynote addresses
  • Learn to Manage Perceptions, Avoid Crisis and Inspire Action
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Melissa DeLay Has Appeared In

Overcoming a Business Crisis

Through stories of corporate intrigue, learn about challenges so significant, they threaten to destroy entire companies, ruin personal reputations and expose remiss leaders! See how to respond to a crisis in business through The Truth about Scandal.

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How Can Crisis Communication Services Help You?

Working with Melissa as your crisis management consultant is a training and coaching opportunity that builds a proactive reputation and crisis management strategy. It will help you communicate authentically to high-stake audiences, prevent and respond to a crisis and help you gain practical skills for overall communication in the workplace. No crisis is too big or too small!

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Executive Leadership Coaching

One-on-one Executive Leadership Coaching uses a science-based approach for our coaching programs to effectively show you how to lead from a position of power, enhance your image and be taken more seriously—no matter who or what you’re dealing with.

If you would like your team to participate check out Melissa’s Group Leadership Training.

Let's Connect

Are you looking for a leadership guest speaker or keynote speaker in Minneapolis?

Are you looking for an engaging, award-winning leadership speaker? Melissa DeLay is a speaker, author, and founder of TruPerception.

With more than two decades of strategic and corporate communication experience, Melissa will help guide you through topics like work relationships, how to ask for a promotion, and authentic stories of challenges so great they threaten to destroy entire companies, ruin personal reputations, and expose remiss leaders.

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Online Leadership Coaching with The Boardroom

The Boardroom is an exclusive monthly coaching subscription that is completely online and can be completed at your own pace. It’s designed to help you take control of your career, defuse conflict, and deal with critical coworkers while showing you how to be the CEO of your life so you can be seen, recognized, and promoted!

Enter the Boardroom

Spill the Truth
A Blog Dedicated to Navigating Today’s Corporate Environment

Say This, Not That Two very different CEOs respond to crisis

Two very different CEOs respond to crisis

In this week’s edition of Spill The Truth, watch a quick video analyzing the crisis communication strategies of the Turo and Allstate CEOs in the aftermath of tragic attacks.

See the message maven’s critique of the Toro and Allstate CEOs in the aftermath of tragic attacks.

Conflict in the workplace Woman with brown hair resting hand on her head in frustration while looking at a laptop screen.

Bad Boss Survival Kit

What are the best ways to ask for a raise? Melissa shares her tips on what to do, what to avoid doing, and how to negotiate a salary increase with confidence.

There are two truths about employees that everyone in a leadership or management role should know. When you know these two truths, which get to the heart of what makes

Getting results Two women sitting at a table talking

How to Ask for a Raise & Get It

What are the best ways to ask for a raise? Melissa shares her tips on what to do, what to avoid doing, and how to negotiate a salary increase with confidence.

Asking for a raise can be one of the most stress-inducing, awkward processes you go through at work. But it’s a necessary part of being in the workforce. Because being