Why some succeed during a crisis in spite of failed local leadership….

Our history is full of national tragedies, financial ruin, world wars and pandemics yet during those dark times businesses thrived. How?

When there is a slowdown, one of the first reactions is to curl up and lay low. To cut back, to take a conservative, wait and see path. While this path seems safe, it is the last thing you should do.

During the great depression there were more millionaires created than ever before. You see, while most so-called leaders will seek to cut your programs and funding, they are showing their lack of leadership.

Case in point:

One health department administrator I coach reports to a county manager who is an example of the worst in government. A year ago, she launched a health department Facebook page. Her goal was to be able to communicate with the community and to promote their programs and services such as immunizations, women’s health services, WIC and more. The county manager demanded that she delete the Facebook account.  He was concerned that people could leave comments to her posts…. ok…hmmm. When our team started researching surrounding county health department FB pages, they uncovered the real reason the county manager did not want a Facebook page. It seems that he was involved with two other female county employees and was embroiled in a bitter divorce with a wife that learned about his infidelity on Facebook!

During our monthly marketing calls, the subject of the county manager comes up as he is actively trying to attack her agency…even in the middle of this pandemic! She recently shared that he told her he wants to do away with the health department!

Nevertheless, she and her health department are thriving in the face of sheer exhaustion. They have been holding drive through Covid-19 testing clinics five days a week for several months. In the midst of this, she is also doing back to school immunizations, well child visits, holding family planning telehealth visits and training new staff.

You see, during a crisis while most are laying low and waiting for the cloud to pass, winners are seeking new and creative ways to promote their agencies. They know that every competitor that goes away or closes, creates a wider playing field.

Instead of cutting back on messaging and marketing to your community, elected officials and the rest, you should be doubling your marketing efforts with feel good content that eases anxiety and promotes positive messaging.

As a public health department, you need to secure your brand now more than ever. You have everyone’s attention.

Don’t be lazy, stupid and scared. Start right now with a list of programs and services you need to jumpstart today.   If you need help schedule a free strategy call with me by clicking the link at the top of our page.