Now is not the time to panic, to put your head under the duvet (unless you are ill) and disappear. You need to get your message out to your market so that you have a better business that’s fighting fit for the future.

Just like your communications in normal times, you need a plan. That’s why we’ve put together our guide to Coronavirus Communications. It’s never too late to start, so put these into action.

Phase one – The now

Your Internal Communications

We have been speaking to a large number of organisations in recent weeks, of all sizes, some global, some local. Whether you have 2 or 2000 employees, it is important to communicate effectively to relieve the pressure and the worry within your organisation to keep morale up and productivity high.

We are offering an absolutely no charge 30-minute call with Veronica Hannon (MD at Transform Communications) to offer a consultative and professional approach to how you can manage this process and craft these communications.

Your internal comms also forms the basis for your external communications so ensure these align. Demonstrate that you have a genuinely positive and supportive organisational structure that benefits your customers.

Reassure Stakeholders

The messaging and communications to your stakeholders will be slightly different. This includes everybody that has a vested interest in your business, including your customers, suppliers, community and business groups, plus – of course - your clients.

You need to remove the uncertainty, ensure that people know and understand your position, that it is ‘business as usual/unusual’ and that you are there to support your staff and the customers in any way that you can.

If you are in a sector that has been substantially hit and your people are unable to work, maintain your presence and the fact that you will be back bigger and better than before.

Preventing panic mode

It goes without saying that we have never lived through a time like this and hopefully never will again. It’s now up to you to demonstrate leadership, manage this situation and potentially create a different future for you and your business.

Equally, consider what can you do to help other businesses? Look at community initiatives and involve yourself and your company. Consider how you can help the NHS or key staff that are keeping our friends and family alive.

Reach out, offer free help and advice, support your employees to at stay home and connect with other people virtually. Keep well-being and morale high and focus on what you can do differently to support those around us.

Phase Two – Re-launching

Strategise your bounce-back

You need to put a plan in place to hit the ground running when we are given the all clear and life returns to some form of normal.

Plan for the internal communications that you need to have ready for when the Government says that it is safe to go back to work. For external comms, you will need to let your market know that you are open for business.

We advise that you start to get these messages and the marketing plans in place now. Nobody knows whether this will be in 4 weeks, 12 weeks or 6 months. At some point when we are the all clear tomorrow, we will need to mobilise our entire operation quickly to maximise the bounce-back.

Be sensitive

These are sensitive times. I am sure that we have all seen some pretty aggressive sales pitches and marketing tactics in the last week that have made us all cringe. However, if this is done correctly using the right language and tone of voice, you could improve the perception of your company and your brand.

Do feel free to call Daniel O’Connor (Head of Business Development) here at Transform Communications for a FREE consultation as to how you can hit the ground running and improve your sales and marketing. His mobile number is 07944 631106.

Phase Three – Stronger & Fitter for the Future

Use what we will learn

In light that we have never experienced anything like this before, both personally and in business, I can honestly say that the last week has been an expediential learning curve already and it is only the beginning.

The random acts of kindness that I have seen from both businesses and individuals in the public domain has been phenomenal.

The adaptions that we have all undergone to maintain a working life and our businesses is beyond comprehension, but we are doing it. Your employees are embracing the change and public are adapting slowly but surely.

Let’s use this knowledge to build a bigger, better future going forward. Let’s write about the good, the bad and the ugly. Let’s show the community around us that we pulled through and that our businesses are ready to thrive again. And if we have to face a second wave or a future pandemic, we now know how to deal with it and what measures we need to have in place.

Reach Out

Use this time to reach out to anyone that you can. You will be surprised at the level of help, ideas and support that there is right now. Reach out to us equally, you never know what a simple call can and will do for you or your people.

In the meantime, stay safe, stay well and be positive. This isn’t forever and you need to convey that message to all!