Protecting Your Company From Political Controversy
Donald Trump started his presidency by pushing out controversial executive orders quickly and frequently. As the #DeleteUber hashtag that was trending on social media after the JFK airport protests demonstrates, these political actions have already impacted the business world. Some companies are facing serious criticism from employees and customers for their responses – or lack thereof – to Trump’s orders. Fast Company’s recent article “How to Navigate Your Company Through A Time of Political Turmoil” provides a guide for keeping customers happy while maintaining your business success.
- Focus on principal over politics. You should only take stances on issues that are related to your company’s values. If you do need to respond to current events, frame your statement in terms of principle rather than politics and make sure that you are communicating the values of your organization to the public. Because 85% of consumers say that a company’s responses to crises affect how they feel about the organization in general, your response should be timely.
- Remember your employees. Some employees have expressed frustration or quit because of a company’s relationship with the Trump administration. Employees want to work for companies with principles and values, and they expect them to take a stance if those values are threatened. Organizations have a responsibility to think about how political actions might impact their employees.
- Plan ahead. Given the unpredictable nature of today’s political climate, it’s best to be prepared. Perform a risk assessment and determine what your company’s vulnerabilities are, and then come up with a strategy you’ll implement if you do get caught up in a political issue.
Read the full article for more tips.
