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McKinsey has published about how COVID-19 is affecting consumer behavior in five main ways. Review their findings across 45 countries.
The pandemic has emphasized the importance of governments to work with the latest innovations and technologies available. Fighting COVID-19 requires data-derived insights and advanced technology to allow quick response to ever-changing conditions. For many government agencies – in the US and elsewhere – shortcomings have come painfully into view. Many countries have responded to the need for modernization by channeling aid packages and funds to government telework, telehealth, cybersecurity and network bandwidth projects.
The CMO Survey is a tool to collect and disseminate the opinions of top marketers on a variety of topics. This Special Edition, published in June, focuses on understanding the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on marketing in companies, including marketing spending, performance, jobs, and expectations for the next year. The added value of the CMO Survey is the longitudinal nature of the research, which allows tracking of opinions, evaluations, and expectations over time. Especially facing a pandemic, the ‘breaks’ in the trends are notable.
The COVID-19 crisis affects many functions of an organization. Focusing on messaging, Godfrey formulated advice on how to adapt communication. Varying from email campaigns to (virtual) sales calls and social media plans, both content and tone require attention. The advice has been summarized by five tips.
McKinsey has published a report on the recovery following the COVID-19 crisis. According to the consultancy company, digital technologies will be on the forefront. The report discusses digitalization trends emerging from the COVID=19 crisis, and offers guidelines for preparing for recovery – taking into account digital transformation – for the first 90 days.
We are heading towards a recession that may be worse than the Great Recession following the 9/11 attacks. Depending on scientific progress, we may be in a downturn for many months to come. Price pressure is inevitable in a downturn. Joanne Smith, who lead the corporate pricing organization of Dupont in the five years before and during the 2009 recession, has written a very timely book on how to price in a recession: “Pricing in a Crisis Playbook: A Practical B2B Guide for Pricing with Confidence in a Crisis or Recession”.
The private sector cannot wait and see until the COVID-19 storm is over. They need to act, and be part of the solution. Helping out now may regain the trust that the private sector has lost recently, by demonstrating its ability of mobilizing resources, generating innovations, and scaling them up fast. However, in doing so, firms should consider the unique abilities of the nonprofit sector in times of disaster and crises.
What works for selling in times of economic expansion is not what works for selling in times of crisis. In addition, between 25% and 50% of the sales professionals in US companies never had to sell during an economic downturn… and thus, ready experience on dealing with selling in crisis is not abundant. This Harvard Business Review article on leading sales teams through uncertain times describes three principles that were useful during the 2001 crisis.
During turbulent times when you’re not sure what to do, it helps to remember that this won’t last forever. Step back from the anxiety with action. Gather your data and your teams and prepare to come out on the other side in a stronger position. ISBM B2B Pulse brings you timely (timeless) advice from Director Emeritus, Dr. Gary Lilien. In his article ‘Winning Strategies fro B2B Marketers Facing Tough (Or Even Easy) TImes’, Gary Lilien describes three actions that firms will likely take to come out of this crisis healthier than before.
ISBM’s introductory episode of the Marketing in Uncertain Times series was an insightful look at the power of pricing , channels, and B2B Business Strategy during a time of crisis and disruption. ISBM partner and instructor, Ralph Cummins of EMM Group moderated this panel discussion addressing these areas of concern with candid responses of practical advice and foresight. Highlights of this Town Hall include pricing power, ‘Survivalist Entrepreneurship’, and the focus on existing customers.
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