QUOTE OF THE DAY “Wisdom equals knowledge plus courage. You have to not only know what to do and when to do it, but you have to also be brave enough to follow through.” –Jarod Kintz COVID-19 UPDATE At the time of reporting, The New York Times showed 2,604,915 cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. and 126,161 deaths. Bing’s COVID-19 Tracker showed 2,638,086 cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. and 128,103 fatalities. Arizona has ordered bars and gyms to close once more as COVID-19 cases have surged. California Gov. Gavin Newsom says A. County could shut down again and promises to step up enforcement. The WHO’s top executive warns that the worst of the COVID-19 crisis is yet to come as mitigation efforts have stalled worldwide. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell says that the path forward for economic recovery is “extraordinarily uncertain.”
How is your organization speaking up about structural inequality? Nationwide Children’s Hospital shares how it pushed for equity and justice in health care through social media and more.
It’s essential for your workers to know the “why” behind D&I messages. Here’s how you should think about communicating your holistic approach to diversity and equity within your organization. If it’s your first time speaking up, it’s OK to admit that you’re trying to catch up. Are you tracking and reporting diversity and inclusion data? Here’s how communications leaders are trying to offer more accountability for their DE&I goals. Measuring the efficacy of your comms channels is crucial. Here’s how you can learn if your messages—in a crisis our not—are having the intended impact. Reach for your audience—not flashy media wins. Building your reputation comes from regular and sustained contact, not a one-time hit in The Wall Street Journal. Here’s how you should think about pushing for incremental success. What does sustainable remote work look like? Here’s how one author maps a progression from the WFH models that we started with at the beginning of the pandemic to workflows where employees feel empowered to manage their schedules and deliver consistent outcomes without the burnout. Reducing loneliness for workers is paramount. Here are some opportunities for communicators to build community during the severe disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. Top tips include prioritizing meals and prompting personal sharing. Goldman Sachs research shows face masks can help the economy. As businesses look to reopen—and are faced with pushing safety measures to employees and consumers—offering data can be an important part of making a compelling case. Here’s one way to frame the debate. Cirque Du Soleil files for bankruptcy protection, but promises strong return. The contemporary circus producer shared a message to fans on Twitter promising to bounce back despite tough immediate financial challenges from COVID-19.
Image via. Walmart ends sales of “All Lives Matter” apparel on its website. The items, sold via a third-party on the retailer’s site, will no longer be available through the company’s digital marketplace. USA Today wrote: We fundamentally believe all lives do matter and every individual deserves respect,'' Walmart said in a statement. "However, as we listened, we came to understand that the way some, but not all, people are using the phrase 'All Lives Matter' in the current environment intentionally minimized the focus on the painful reality of racial inequity." Virtual Conference Alert Join us for Ragan’s Remote Employee Engagement &Culture Virtual Conference on Tuesday, July 21 to learn internal comms strategies and best practices to meet the challenges of the new reality. 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 HannahL@ragan.com 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 TedK@ragan.com. Sign Up Subscribe to Ragan’s Crisis Daily newsletter today. | 