Trying to find a way through the pandemic has proved difficult for many companies. But, being there for the good guys can help you.

There are always developments that have a disruptive effect on the business world. Examples of such game-changers include the internet, E-commerce, and Uber’s use of apps to hail taxis (Uber).

The pandemic has disrupted the truest sense of the word. It makes 2019 seem like a distant memory. The economic implications have been profound and could have long-lasting implications even after the coronavirus is vaccinated.

There have been many different consequences. The recession was inevitable due to the cessation of normal economic activity, such as the movement and movement of people and goods. Sectors that provide customer-facing services and performances in front of live audiences were the hardest hit, while online gaming and retail have seen a boom. This has been a positive crisis for Zoom and Amazon.

It isn’t just a matter of practicality that has affected how companies are doing and will fare in the future. The way companies have responded to it has been different and could result in them losing customers or goodwill.

How positive PR made United Popular

Manchester United Football Club was a surprising “good guy” to emerge from the crisis. Although the team was a hated team in the trophy-laden glory days of Sir Alex Ferguson’s era, it has never been known for its positive PR. Even among club fans, this has been true since 2005’s hostile takeover by the Glazer Family.

The club’s response to the crisis was positive, however.

• First, food was donated to local food banks for future home games.

• The neon sign was selectively illuminated with the club’s logo to highlight the letters H, N, and S.

• The club admitted that it had lost approximately PS28 million due to games being played in empty stadiums. However, the club was willing to waive fees owed by clubs with more difficult finances.

Marcus Rashford, one of the club’s members, was the man to top it all. He earned both acclaim and an honorary degree from Manchester University for his successful campaign in convincing the government to offer free school meals during the summer holidays. When Katie Hopkins trolled him, even his Manchester City neighbors supported him.

Because of the tribal nature and rivalry, football clubs can’t compete with other teams when it comes to marketing. Positive PR can make friends around the world and lead to new sponsorship deals. United’s bean counters won’t miss this opportunity.

Furlough on the Wrong Side

Manchester United was praised for its declaration that it wouldn’t use the furlough program, which Premiership rivals Liverpool & Tottenham had initially stated they would do. Both clubs retracted after being met with outrage.

There are likely to be many firms with bad reputations due to their responses to the furlough. This is especially true if the public believes that the use of the state’s assistance is unnecessary.

One prime example is the Virgin Group. Sir Richard Branson, a billionaire, put 8,000 Virgin Air staff on furlough to seek government assistance for the airline industry. Critics claimed that Branson’s wealth allowed him to easily dip into his pockets to pay the salaries of his employees while planes were down.

Tim Martin, chairman of Wetherspoons pub chain, was another businessman on the cutting edge. Tim Martin, the chairman of the Wetherspoons pub chain, was already a controversial figure. He furloughed employees and told them to get work in supermarkets until the scheme started. We don’t know how many customers may have refused to return to this action.

Keep your eyes on the good

With recent discussions about racism prompting questions about how organizations and firms have dealt with the issue, business ethics are now under greater scrutiny than ever. Although your firm might not be as well-known as Wetherspoons or Manchester United, consumers will increasingly pay attention to how they treat staff members and the public.

The perception of firms may be affected by the impact of the pandemic on the economy and the fallout.

This information should inform your marketing and the general approach of your company to doing business. It is important to demonstrate why you are doing more than just making money. A good cause is not a nice thing to have. It makes your company appear like you have nice people working for it. When the stakes are this high, superficial ethics won’t get you far.

You can make your cause and mission more tangible by having a real sense of purpose.

• This can be highlighted in content marketing news or blogs

• You can feature it in your PPC ads

• It can be an integral part of your social media strategy

You can position yourself as a force for goodness in a world that is so full of mistakes. This will help you to strengthen your brand image, attract new customers, and create opportunities and a lasting legacy.