Unfortunately, an accident happened and the guy involved passed away today.
There is an OCBC Cycle Facebook Page that is dedicated to provide information on this event. Since the mishap, the organizer has been providing updates there.
From the comments, there are clearly contradicting information between what's provided by the organizer and the victim's sister and eye-witnesses.
So who is speaking the truth?
Many of us would rather choose to believe the victim's sister and those at the spot when the accident happened.
Initially, I didn't know that there's an OCBC Cycle Facebook Page and went to OCBC Bank Facebook Page to find out about the accident. I was surprised that nothing was mentioned about the accident. Instead, there were posts about their new service and their upcoming buyout of Wing Hang Bank in Hong Kong. It's as though nothing has happened or perhaps none of the bank's business. Being the sponsor of the event, I thought the very least is to talk about it and direct us to OCBC Cycle Facebook Page for more information.
Someone commented that this is a PR disaster for the bank.
For one second, I thought so too. In fact, the initial headline I wanted to use was "Is Your Company Committing This PR Disaster?", until I think deeper into it.
It's nothing about PR. Its about doing the right thing. It's about being a human.
When something bad happens, most companies activate their crisis management, PR, investor and media relations to manage and prevent an issue from getting out of hand and going viral. They acted rationally in an emotional situation. After all, getting emotional does nothing to help a situation right? And they got a reputation, their image and their brand to protect. Isn't it?
I have no doubt the organizer is doing its best to find out what actually happened.
However, instead of getting their facts right before releasing them, the organizer seemed more eager to prove that they've all the proper precautions in place and done all the correct things. Instead of keeping vigil at the hospital with the victim's family, they are more concerned for the victim's family to collect the bicycle. Is the organizing committee and the bank run by a bunch of zombies void of emotions?
But when accident happens, does it matter to the victim whether you have the best precautions in place?
And in the name of competition, every business wants to be in the limelight. They want to be the biggest. Standard Chartered bank has the Standard Chartered Marathon that gives it huge exposure through the event. Did OCBC come out with its Cycling event to cash in on building its brand?
So every year, you see the number of participants getting greater and greater.
How nice and proud to shout to the world you've got 12,000 participants for your event. How nice to have the title "Biggest event of the year" emblazoned on your brand. But in the quest for building your brand, have you ever thought about what might and could happen?
Well, there's always the possibility of accident happening no matter how well you prepare for it. But there are things that you can anticipate, especially if you have experience in organizing such events. Then is it complacency on the organizer's part?
Whatever it is, remember you are not a company, you are a human being. And you are dealing with another human being.
The accident could have happened to you or your family member.
Rest In Peace, Chia Wee Kiak.