QUOTE OF THE DAY I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. –Maya Angelou COVID-19 UPDATE At the time of reporting, The New York Times reported 636,917 cases and 28,586 deaths from COVID-19. Bing’s COVID-19 Tracker reported 644,188 cases (562,980 active cases) in the U.S., and 28,579 deaths. Governors including New York’s Andrew Cuomo and California’s Gavin Newsom have started to outline plans for reopening their states. Neither governor has given a precise date for the end of the stay-at-home order. Cuomo has turned to advisors like McKinsey and Deloitte to provide a science-based plan for a recovery. According to the latest reports, 22 million Americans have lost their jobs in the last four weeks. The increased numbers are adding pressure to reopen the economy and some have started to protest against stay-at-home policies. Some states have yet to hit their projected peak for deaths from COVID-19, a key indicator for models about when the economy can reopen. See where your state is on its curve here.
Make sure you offer tangible hope to employees. Red Havas’ CEO shares his insights on how to bolster workers’ spirits in this conversation with PR Daily Editor Ted Kitterman.
For better meetings, turn your camera on. Ragan Consulting’s Kim Clark shares her top tips on how to make those virtual group sessions more productive and meaningful, even in the most trying of circumstances. Get the full list here. A healthy environment for your WFH set-up is crucial. Top tips for improving your domestic workplace include moving yourself away from the fridge, building a clear schedule and more. Read all the tips here and share them with your workforce. Many workers are skeptical that remote work is here to stay. Despite many experts projecting that remote work will be an important part of business culture for months to come, many employees say they believe flexible work allowances will disappear once the current crisis is over. Experts warn that companies shouldn’t ignore the lessons they have learned during the lockdown. Microsoft leads the way on remote internship solutions. The company is using collaborative tools like its Microsoft Teams and asking interns to “co-create” their experience by sharing “Ted-style talks or hosting their own volunteer projects.” HR Dive wrote: Providing virtual internships for students amid the COVID-19 crisis can benefit businesses as well, according to Cameron Jahn, director of employer product marketing at Handshake, an early career network. "Employers can foster goodwill with early talent by providing them with valuable opportunities during this downturn, so that interns, in turn, can have a lasting positive association with a company that showcases its leadership during this time…” Alphabet asks employees for help in conserving capital. Leaders announced they would slow hiring for the remainder of the year and reevaluate investments in areas like nonessential travel and marketing. Making your employees feel included in the effort to stem losses from COVID-19 can be a strong move for developing esprit de corps. Teams around the world have different needs, even in a global crisis. For many communicators, your key audiences are international. Here are some tips for connecting with these far-flung associates during a crisis that has enveloped the whole globe. How have been the best storytellers during this crisis? Who are the communicators who have achieved the most to educate and inform Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic? From health experts to frontline workers, here are the MVPs. Create community while giving back during this crisis. Alcohol brand Jägermeister is hosting a virtual brunch to raise money for restaurants on Instagram Live. The stunt is an example of how you can raise the profile of your CSR by offering something audiences crave: a little social interaction. Think of ways to create community and offer value. One agency created a webinar series where guest like Peter Shankman, founder of HARO, would share expertise and advice. Virtual Conference Alert Join us for Ragan’s Internal Communications and Culture Virtual Conference April 21-22 to learn how you can connect dispersed workers and unite your organization in the face of unprecedented disruption. Join our Crisis Leadership Board Ragan’s Crisis Leadership Board is the resource you need before, during and post-crisis. As a Board member, you have access to all back issues of this newsletter, we well as research, data, case studies, checklists, tip sheets, articles and other resources, plus a peer to peer discussion board and an all-access pass to the annual Crisis Management Conference. Sponsorship/Advertising Opportunities Contact Hannah Lavelle at [email protected] with sponsorship and advertising inquiries. Pitch Us Have a great story to share about crisis communication or your own take on current best practices? Contact Editor Ted Kitterman at [email protected]. Sign Up Subscribe to Ragan’s Crisis Daily newsletter today! | 