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Always think about thinking ©
In the inaugural episode of the Piar podcast, host Tan Sukhera sits down with Philippe Borremans—a crisis communications authority with 25+ years advising organizations including the World Health Organization and European Council across 30+ countries. Philippe dismantles the dangerous assumption that comprehensive crisis plans create preparedness, arguing that flexibility and constant training beat thick binders every time. He delivers a direct challenge to communications professionals: stop speaking in media impressions and start speaking in business impact, or accept permanent status as a cost center. The conversation explores why risk communication (strategic, preventive) and crisis communication (reactive, response) require fundamentally different approaches, why the Heathrow blackout revealed a dangerous disconnect between business continuity teams and comms, and what it takes to earn a genuine seat at the leadership table. Whether you're an agency leader, in-house manager, or consultant, this episode delivers the frameworks and mindset shifts needed to move from tactical executor to strategic advisor in an age of continuous volatility.
Crisis & Risk Emergency Consultant, RiskComms | Philippe Borremans is recognized as one of the foremost experts in risk and crisis communications, specializing in AI-driven crisis and emergency strategies. He has advised global organizations including the World Health Organization and the European Council, he;s authored “Mastering Crisis Communication with ChatGPT,” and served as President of the International Public Relations Association. His 25+ years of experience across 30+ countries, in leadership & consulting roles including an H+K Strategies affiliate, IBM and Porter Novelli position him as an obvious authority in the field.
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Tan Sukhera is a strategic thinking partner, a super connector of people & ideas, and perpetual student of the communications craft. A Canadian with a Marketing Communications background and former TV news anchor, Tan held roles at leading multinational media monitoring organizations before founding Piar. That work revealed something important: measurement was largely solved, but the cognitive blind spots where CCOs unknowingly leave gaps in their armor remained unaddressed. Over two and a half years, Tan invested six figures unlearning why his assumptions about the industry were wrong, drawing on behavioral science, decision theory, mathematics, and AI-assisted human-in-the-loop approaches to build systems, lenses, and frameworks that sharpen strategic judgment. As CEO & Co-Founder of Piar and lead workshop facilitator, he works with business leaders around the world on high-stakes decisions.
