By 
The pandemic has made it difficult for many companies to find a way to survive. But being on the side of the good guys will certainly help you.
Now and then, a new development occurs that profoundly impacts the business world. This is often described as “disruptive.” Internet and E-commerce, as well as the use of taxi-hailing apps (Uber), are all examples of game changers.
The pandemic has caused the most disruption, and 2019 seems like a distant past. The economic impact of the pandemic has been devastating and will likely continue to be so long after the coronavirus is eradicated or vaccinated.
Specific consequences are varied. The recession was inevitable due to reduced economic activity, such as the movement of people and goods. The sectors that provide customer-facing services, or perform in front of live audiences, have been the hardest hit. Online retail and gaming, however, have exploded. This crisis has been good for Zoom and Amazon.
Not only practical circumstances have influenced how businesses are affected and may fare in the future. How firms have responded to the crisis has also been different, and they may either gain customers or lose goodwill.
United Popularity – Positive PR
Manchester United Football Club was a surprising ‘good man’ that emerged from the crisis. The club, which many adored in the trophy-laden glory days of Sir Alex Ferguson’s era but has been known for its bad PR since then, is not a team that people love to hate. This has been the case among the club’s fans since the Glazer Family took over in 2005.
The club’s response to the crisis has been universally positive.
First, food was donated to the local food bank for upcoming games.
The club name was highlighted by selective illumination on the neon sign.
Despite admitting that it lost approximately PS28 million because of games being played in empty stadiums because they were not sold out, the club was willing to waive fees for other clubs in a much worse financial situation.
Marcus Rashford was the player who topped it all off. He received an honorary degree from Manchester University for his successful effort to convince the government to offer free meals to schoolchildren during the summer holidays. Even Manchester City stood by him when Katie Hopkins trolled him.
Due to the tribal rivalry, it is difficult for football clubs to gain market share by marketing their teams. Positive PR can bring in new sponsors and gain friends around the world. United’s beancounters will not miss this opportunity to establish it.
Furlough: The wrong side of the story
Manchester United was praised partly because it announced that it would not use the furlough system, which rival Premiership clubs Liverpool and Tottenham initially intended to use. Both clubs then backed down after the outrage was received.
Some firms may end up with a damaged image because of how they responded to the leave. This is especially true if the public believes the government’s assistance is unnecessary.
Virgin Group’s billionaire owner, Sir Richard Branson, put 8,000 Virgin Air staff on leave. Branson also sought government assistance for the airline industry. Critics claimed that Branson could have paid their salaries with his wealth.
Tim Martin, chairman of the pub chain Wetherspoons, was also in the firing squad. He was already a controversial figure due to his unambiguous pro-Brexit stance, and he told staff that they could get work in supermarkets while the scheme took effect. This is yet to be determined how many customers may have decided not to return due to these actions.
Staying on Good Side
Recent debates on racism have prompted a discussion about how businesses and organizations have dealt with the issue. Although your company may not be as well-known as Virgin, Wetherspoons, or Manchester United consumers are increasingly interested in how companies treat their staff and customers.
How firms are perceived may be affected by the impact of the pandemic, its aftermath, and the issues surrounding redundancy, retention, and future recruitment when the economy recovers.
This should be reflected in your marketing and the general business approach of your company. It is important to explain why you are doing what you do. This goes beyond just making money. It is not enough to just support a cause that you believe in. This will make your company appear to be a nice place to work. When the stakes have been as high as this year, a superficial ethical code will not help you.
You can use this in your marketing if you have a strong sense of mission and cause.
Your content marketing news and blog posts can highlight this.
You can include it in your PPC advertisements
You can make it a key part of your social media.
Positioning yourself as an agent of good in a world that has seen so many wrongs can help you to strengthen your brand, gain new customers, and create opportunities. You can also leave a legacy for future generations.
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