Walmart, Target, Kroger and Albertsons are among retailers donating money, food and time to help those most vulnerable during the coronavirus outbreak, and they have also been joined in similar philanthropic efforts by smaller regional chains including H.E. Butt Grocery, Hy-Vee, the Giant Company and Vallarta Supermarkets. This article looks at how each of the grocers is stepping up to meet the challenges the pandemic poses in their communities.
Core-Mark is rolling out improvements to its delivery operations that include tracking tools and electronic receipts designed to make deliveries paperless. "Accurate, real-time tracking helps take the guesswork out of the warehouse receiving process," Core-Mark's Chris Bayley says.
Small distributors can use their size to their advantage by adopting the mindset of a startup and focusing on innovation, according to NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence Fellow Mark Dancer. "It's the small companies in any industry that aren't really encumbered by being a large, bureaucratic organization that has to meet the demands of investors," said Dancer, who explores this idea in his book "Innovate to Dominate: The 12th Edition in the Facing the Forces of Change Series."
Cleaning and health care distributors and manufacturers are prioritizing getting their products to hospitals and similar facilities ahead of other customers. Distributor Sustainable Supply said its supply of products used for cleaning and sanitation is running extremely low.
Patrick Kulp takes a look at how the coronavirus pandemic is leading to a surge in business for virtual event companies and talks to industry insiders about how marketers can effectively engage online event audiences. Intrado Digital Media's Ben Chodor says, "Add fun elements, add mean tweets, little contests, allow the audience members -- if it's an internal program -- to send some videos in advance and play them throughout."
Leaders who use humor in challenging times can inspire hope, nurture team members' problem-solving skills and help employees stay grounded, says Trevor Smith of the World Laughter Tour. "With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource in confronting any crisis situation," Smith says.
Handling tough conversations at work means engaging directly with others, and improv specialist and founder of www.ImprovEdge.com Karen Hough has tips for how to do that. First, offer employees choices and be transparent -- then use the improv technique of "yes, and" to keep the conversation going.
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