With COVID-19 rampaging through the world, most of the organisations have called it an emergency and have asked their employees to work from home. But are we ready to tackle such an emergency? Do we know what to do, in the face of such a situation?
The answer is pretty simple. If all companies put strategies in place in terms of crisis communication, that’s all we truly require. The key is to communicate early and often, throughout the sticky situation. During such an emergency, most of us are constantly trying to understand the extent of the crisis. Look at the situation with understanding. Put yourself in your employees’ shoes to comprehend their apprehension. Then you will be able to handle the situation with clarity and ease.
Create a crisis communication team:
Identify one person who will be in charge of creating, developing and implementing a crisis communication strategy. This person will be in charge of responding to emergencies, create an emergency management team and handle everything about the crisis.
Have a centralized communication system:
Since most of the employees in organisations are working remotely, it’s important to be able to instantly communicate at all times. Create a communication tree and centralise the communication process. Be it on an HRM software, Skype, Slack, Hangout or any other platform, make sure that all employees are well connected.
Also read: Remote Working 101 – The Complete Guide To Working From Home
Identify a meeting spot:
Be it a physical or virtual location, make sure you identify a spot where your team can gather for discussions. In the face of an emergency, it’s important to know where you and your team can come together to discuss how to proceed with things as well as keep up the communication.
Pick out resources outside:
Be it basic necessities like printers, stationaries, internet connection to PR services and conference platforms… make sure resources are kept handy so that you don’t have to feel hassled when these are required in times of emergencies.
Make multiple copies of the contingency plan:
If the internet is not working, or your computer is not starting, the plan should be nevertheless accessible to you and to the crisis communication team. So, make sure you save the strategy in multiple locations.
Also read: Combating The Corona Virus – The Small Business Edition
When dealing with an emergency situation, it’s of utmost importance to keep up good amount of communication. Keep them simple, positive and light-hearted, so that you don’t add to anybody’s anxiety level. Not only does it keep employees involved, it also helps motivate employees, and they continue to deliver well.
If there’s anything more you want to know about using Engagedly to keep your workforce engaged and productive during the crisis, please get in touch with us!
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Author
Srikant Chellappa
CEO & Co-Founder of Engagedly
Srikant Chellappa is the Co-Founder and CEO at Engagedly and is a passionate entrepreneur and people leader. He is an author, producer/director of 6 feature films, a music album with his band Manchester Underground, and is the host of The People Strategy Leaders Podcast. He is currently working on his next book, Ikigai at the Workplace, which is slated for release in the fall of 2024.