QUOTE OF THE DAY “If leadership serves only the leader, it will fail. … Only when service for a common good is the primary purpose are you truly leading.” –Sheila Murray Bethel --as featured in Bits & Pieces on Leadership COVID-19 UPDATE At the time of reporting, The New York Times showed 3,910,398 cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. and 142,031 deaths. Bing’s COVID-19 Tracker reported 3,970,671 cases in the U.S. and 144,173 fatalities. The rate of new cases in the U.S. is surging, according to the data, as the country looks like it will reach 4 million cases just two weeks after hitting 3 million on July 8. Experts warn the rising rate outstrips testing capacity. The unemployment rate in big cities like New York City and Los Angeles is almost double the national rate, around 20%, meaning one in five city dwellers can’t find work.
Your CEO might not be the right spokesperson. Some messages must come from the top, but sometimes a more authentic messenger can be found elsewhere in your organization. Here’s how to evaluate.
Stay upbeat—but don’t sugarcoat the truth. Here’s how you should balance your messages to weary and anxious audiences—particularly employees. Is the COVID-19 pandemic eroding workplace culture? This report says that’s the case, with an 11% drop in respondents saying their workplace culture is “healthy.” Workplace friendships are changing during WFH. These relationships can increase fulfillment and productivity and are important parts of workplace culture. So, how can comms pros help keep these connections alive? Marriott announces mask requirement with call to “protect one another.” The hotel chain is one of a handful in the industry that are requiring visitors to wear masks and follow other safety precautions, despite a lack of federal government guidance. USA Today wrote: “Health experts have made it clear that wearing face coverings in public spaces is one of the easiest steps that we can all take to protect one another and reduce the spread of COVID-19,” [CEO Arne Sorenson] said in the video, after removing his own cloth mask. Trader Joe’s to change product branding deemed racist. Names like “Trader Ming” and “Trader José” are being retired over claims that the names “perpetuate harmful stereotypes.” NPR reported: "We made the decision several years ago to use only the Trader Joe's name on our products moving forward," spokesperson Kenya Friend-Daniel told NPR by email. She added that the company "had hoped that the work would be complete by now but there are still a small number of products going through the packaging change and we expect to be done very soon." How are you helping workers find joy? Here are some important ways you can help your workforce prioritize self-care and combat burnout. Walmart, Kroger and Target team up to rethink single-use plastic bags. The retailers hope that through collaboration they can find an alternative to the ubiquitous shopping bags that pose a major problem for the environment. The move is a reminder that partnerships can be important ways to address big change and ideas. Fast Company wrote: “We have to approach this as an industry,” says Kathleen McLaughlin, executive vice president and chief sustainability officer at Walmart. “Walmart’s not going to figure that out on their own, nor is Target, nor is Kroger.” Virtual Conference Alert Join us for Ragan’s Brand Storytelling During a Crisis Virtual Conference Aug. 4-5 to learn the latest tips on telling your brand story and protecting your reputation during these uncertain and tumultuous times. Join our Crisis Leadership Board Ragan’s Crisis Leadership Board is the resource you need before, during and after the crisis. As a board member, you have access to all back issues of this newsletter—as 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. | 