When tragedy happens in America, regular life grinds to a halt. For business marketers and executives, their daily tasks come with heavy consequences. Both internal employees and the public often jump to conclusions based on your business' reaction or lack of reaction. With the gun violence in recent weeks, many organizations are left wondering what to say or do.
Here's how your business can support gun violence victims.
Check Your Marketing Immediately
If your marketing is scheduled for the week or month, take a look to determine if the scheduled items are insensitive in the context of recent events. It may be a good idea to pause anything that's planned just to get your thoughts together.
Align Your Response to Your Company Mission
Most businesses have their mission statement or values on their website. If the business is following that mission statement, then any actions, reactions, or responses wouldn't be a surprise to any clients that know what your company is about.
Support Your Employees
You and your employees may be having a particularly challenging time after a tragedy. It's a great time to remind them of any mental health or wellness benefits available to them. You could also provide for volunteer or donation efforts to help support victims.
Review Your Partnerships
Again, going back to the mission statement and values of your business, it's a good idea to review the values of your partners. If they do not align with your company's, you might consider a tough conversation with them or, at worst, breaking ties.
Make Donations 💚
Whether your business makes financial contributions to gun violence prevention organizations or sets up a blood drive, company-wide donation efforts go a long way to supporting your employees and the victims of gun violence.
Your company's response to these tragedies reveals that there's a human behind the business facade. Consider your next move carefully.
