What Is a Coronavirus Communication Management Plan, and Why Your Business Needs One

No matter what part of the world you are living in right now, you certainly have heard of the coronavirus or COVID-19.

From the SXSW cancellation to the Houston Rodeo Show cancellation, the Coachella festival postponement, and the incoming European flights’ ban, we are all now experiencing the effect of this new pandemic.

Many businesses and organizations around the world are doing their best to stay informed and communicate with their audiences the latest updates on the worldwide outbreak. When discussing this subject with my clients and any business owner for that matter, I do urge everyone to develop and put in place a communication management plan to respond to the coronavirus.

-What is a Coronavirus communication management plan?

As a business owner, as an employer, and as a community member above all, you have a responsibility towards everyone around you to keep them safe, informed, and prepared.

With that being said, it is your responsibility to develop a well thought out communication management plan to keep everyone involved updated and to protect the safety of your employees and your customers.

-How to develop a Coronavirus communication management plan?

Step 1:

Start by assessing your organization’s Coronavirus needs and risks. Go through every department of your company, their daily tasks, the environment in which they operate and evaluate their risk of exposure.

Step 2:

Refer to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (U.S. CDC) for guidance and advice on how to prevent/respond to this pandemic in the workplace.

Then put together a list of guidelines and special measures for your employees to abide by to provide a sanitary environment for them and for your customers.

Step 3:

Communicate with your employees the new preventive guidelines you put in place to protect them, as well as with your customers to let them now that you are, now more than ever, dedicated to tackling this issue and taking all necessary measures to protect your community.

You also need to be prepared to provide timely updates as the situation unravels. We all hope for this outbreak to be contained soon, but for the time being, stay informed, and keep your employees informed as well.

In addition, you need to be mindful of your employees’ upcoming travel plans, health issues, and whether or not your business can support a temporary working-from-home format.

Step 4:

Develop a contingency plan for your company in case an outbreak occurs near your offices. This is something that no one wants to hear, but no matter how low the risk of it can be, there still is a risk. Bear in mind that it will be your responsibility to make prompt decisions, and follow the protocol put in place for this situation.

Step 5:

Plan for the future. As we all hope for this to be all over and for everyone to resume their normal lives, we have to accept the fact that the Coronavirus outbreak might occur again later this year or next year. As you put in place your communication management plan, make sure to monitor its effectiveness and take notes of what improvements you can bring to it.

In conclusion

As the world is struggling to contain this outbreak, it is all our responsibility to keep ourselves and those around us safe, and take all needed preventive measures. Keep informed on the latest updates and above all, be mindful of those at risk around you and stay home if you’re not feeling well.