How to Work Comfortably at Home While Sick

After falling ill about a week into January, I learned a thing or two about working remotely in the midst of an awful cold. I don’t know precisely what I had, but it featured body aches, sweats, chills, coughing, a stuffy nose, and pretty much everything in between. Yet, I still managed to get a good bit of work done from the comfort of my bed and couch.

 

The following are a few tips. Maybe they’ll help you the next time germs get the better of you.

 

  1. Don’t beat yourself up if you can’t be entirely productive. Nobody plans to become sick. And sometimes, illness arrives during a big client event or when a major project is due. One of the benefits of working for an agency is that there are typically extra hands on deck to assist when you’re just too sick to function.
  2. Take extra breaks, whenever needed. Sometimes, you’re simply too worn down to continue working. If this is the case, brew a cup of tea and even consider a power nap. Your output can only be as good as how alert and healthy you feel.
  3. Stay in communication with your colleagues. Even if you’re a bit groggy, seek out updates from your colleagues. This will help you continue to move items off your plate, and they’ll likely appreciate the extra effort you’re putting in.
  4. If possible, get some fresh air via a 5-minute walk around the neighborhood. If you’re sharing the outdoor space with others, be responsible and wear a mask. Also, be sure to take appropriate vitamins/supplements to help in the battle against your illness.
  5. Speed your recovery up by getting plenty of rest both day and night. Working remotely has its perks, but there’s definitely something to be said for the daily routine at the office. So, make sure you rest as much as your body demands – it’ll help you recover and get back to normal as quickly as possible.

 

It used to be that even if you were horribly sick, you’d pushed yourself to go to the office just to show your dedication and push through. Now, it’s more important to protect all your coworkers and not spread germs by working remotely, if you can.

All Levels Of Education Sector Must Invest In Relationships, Reputation To Battle Coronavirus Disruption

The loss of life – as well as health and safety issues – remains the primary issue when talking about the coronavirus pandemic. That said, economic and societal disruption cannot be ignored.  The education sector, from pre-school to our higher education institutions, finds itself in the direct path of the storm and needing to prepare for the next waves.education battle coronavirus disruption

 

The action plans required to navigate the new-normal are extensive and detailed, and emphasis should rightly be placed on instruction and learning, technology, infrastructure, and financial considerations. None of those issues, however, will matter if schools can’t sustain meaningful relationships with their long list of publics. Parents and students are more tolerant of change and disturbances if they have trust.  Educators and staff are willing to go the extra mile if they have faith. Partners and suppliers are more open-minded if they believe a school is credible. Individuals and institutions are more giving when they have confidence.

 

Senior educational leaders will undoubtedly spend the next few months discussing important, tangible assets that ensure the delivery of education, but how much time will be spent on intangible assets like reputation, relationships, and brand?

 

Important Intangible assets

 

Intangible assets – like reputation, relationships, and brands — will first be defined by behavior and then by communication. Every organization must accept that it operates with the permission of those it serves, including students, parents, employees, regulators, partners, and a lengthy list of others. Moving forward, every action and behavior must be focused on earning and maintaining permission and trust to operate.  In the end, reputation is a simple formula: EXPECTATION + CREDIBILITY. Organizations must meet or exceed expectations and achieve credibility by doing what they say they will do in all facets of the organization, down to the very smallest detail.

 

When it comes to communication, every organization must fortify its antenna to become more effective at listening, and more attentive to relevant sights, sounds, and sentiments. They must accept and communicate vulnerability and values and give power to their conscience, ethics, and empathy, thus empowering others to act. They must speak clearly, consistently, and honestly across all platforms – paid, earned, shared, and owned. Communication must be systematic, process-driven, proactive, and reactive, and also reach to all ends of the organization, both internal and external, prioritizing those directly impacted first … but realizing that information spreads.

 

There will be bumps along the way, and some may ignite a frenzied response from the media. The industry should also anticipate government, legal, and consumer actions, along with dis-informational attacks. And all of this will negatively impact reputation and the bottom line.  Schools must soon identify and cultivate third-party advocates to speak on their behalf, quickly knock down misinformation, and employ attitude inoculation or pre-bunking techniques.

 

When it comes to maintaining and building intangible assets like relationships and reputation, there’s no magic solution. Instead, taking appropriate steps now will ensure an organization’s ongoing viability. Bottom line: educational leaders must prioritize investment in intangible assets and the professionals who manage them if they hope to survive and ultimately thrive in the post-coronavirus world.

 

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Care Facilities That Serve The Most Vulnerable Have Essential Frontline Duties, Long-Term Problems

Care FacilitiesThe coronavirus death toll at long term care facilities – which includes nursing homes, assisted living, and other, related facilities – is currently approaching the tens of thousands, with numbers likely to rise further. New Jersey and New York are among the hardest hit by this devastation. Numbered among these staggering losses have been several high-profile cases involving misconduct and bad actors, and these will taint the entire industry for years. And, as a result, government at all levels has taken action, the media is shining a bright light on misdeeds, and a consumer backlash is certainly coming.

 

Loss of life is not unique to long term care facilities, and the entire healthcare continuum is faced with challenges that include shortages of PPEs, tests, and staff.  Despite all the pain and suffering, the vast majority of frontline workers at long-term care facilities deserve our appreciation, support, and praise.

 

The loss of life – as well as health and safety issues – are the primary concern, but economic viability and reputational issues cannot be ignored.  While many facilities benefit from sound public relations planning and counsel, others have simply dropped the ball. Even those with a plan now find themselves dealing with an unprecedented storm. As boxer Mike Tyson often said, “Everyone has a plan …  until I punch them in the face.”

 

As many understand, the reputation and integrity of the industry will first be defined by its behavior and then by how it communicates. Every facility must accept that it operates with the permission of those it serves, including residents and patients and their families, employees, regulators, other healthcare providers, and a lengthy list of others. Moving forward, every action and behavior must be focused on health and safety and earning and maintaining permission and trust to operate.  In the end, reputation is a simple formula:  EXPECTATION + CREDIBILITY. Organizations must meet or exceed expectations and achieve credibility simply by doing what they say they will do in all facets of the organization, down to the very smallest detail.

 

When it comes to communication, every organization must fortify its antenna to become more skillful at listening, and more attentive to relevant sights, sounds, and sentiments. They must accept and communicate vulnerability and values and give power to their conscience, ethics, and empathy, empowering others to act. They must speak clearly, consistently, and honestly across all platforms – paid, earned, shared, and owned. Communication must be systematic and process-driven, proactive, and reactive, and also reach to all ends of the organization, both internal and external, prioritizing those directly impacted first … but realizing that information also spreads.

 

The loss of life has created a media frenzy, and the industry should anticipate second and even third waves of government, legal, and consumer action, as well as continued dis-informational attacks by the outrage industry. And all of this will negatively impact reputation and the bottom line.  Companies must soon identify and cultivate third-party advocates who can speak on their behalf, quickly knock down misinformation, and employ attitude inoculation or pre-bunking techniques.

 

Like the virus itself, there is no magic cure for reputational issues. But, taking appropriate steps now will ensure your organization’s viability.

 

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Recruitment Insights – Coronavirus 4/13/20

 

 

April 13, 2020

Coronavirus Brings Record Jobless Claims

The Coronavirus Pandemic has had an immediate impact on a job market that was at record unemployment lows just two months ago. Nationwide unemployment in February was 3.55%, jumping to 4.44% in March. April will assuredly be even higher

 

Some Major Hiring Initiatives During The Pandemic

Although much of the focus has been on mass layoffs across the country, there are some that have needed to step up recruiting efforts as they are being overwhelmed.

 

Retirees Are Being Sought After

Even with a huge number of talented individuals are available for hire, both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Postal Service are pursuing retirees to fill their rising hiring needs.

 

Your Employer Brand During the Pandemic

During these difficult times layoffs, furloughs, and preserving as much of your current staff as possible are front and center in your efforts. However, you must remember that what you do now will have an impact our your employer brand for years to come.

 

 

 

BREAKING — STUDY SAYS PEOPLE CAN HANDLE THE TRUTH

Truth builds TrustIt’s a legendary scene. One famous actor shouts, “I want the truth!” The other snaps back, “You can’t handle the truth!“

 

It’s cinematic genius, and also depicts one of the greatest challenges of communicating during a crisis – including our current public health emergency.  How much truth – and what degree of uncertainty — can the public handle?

 

According to a just-released study from the University of Cambridge, uncertainty about facts can be reported without damaging public trust. These results come at a critical time as leaders, scientists, and professional communicators wrestle with data uncertainty, risk, and disinformation associated with the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Communicators and leaders of various organizations often assume that communicating uncertainty will undermine trust. Now, research has found that uncertainty related to key facts and figures can be communicated in a manner that maintains public trust in information and its source. And this is true even related to contentious issues. Researchers hope the study encourages communicators as well as leaders to be bolder in reporting uncertainty.

 

Study co-author Sander van der Linden, director of the Cambridge Social Decision-Making Lab, says that “including an indication of its uncertainty provides the public with better information. In an era of fake news that might help foster trust.”

 

As an example, the researchers got the best results when a figure was flagged as an estimate and was accompanied by the numerical range from which it had been derived. For example:“…the unemployment rate rose to an estimated 3.9% (between 3.7%-4.1%).”

 

This study adds to  – and supports — considerable research on the topic of trust and credibility.

 

Given the current landscape, and the support of research, Edward R. Murrow’s words ring more true than ever. “To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; to be credible we must be truthful.”

 

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SCG Related Information and Services We Offer:

Media Training

Crisis Communications

 

 

 

Recruitment Insights – Coronavirus 4/3/20

April 3, 2020

Job Losses by State

Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic the nation has seen the number of jobless claims reach the highest level in our history over the past two weeks.

• The 3.28 million reported last week was four times greater than any week ever but did not affect states equally. See the chart here.

• A staggering 6.6 million filed new claims this week. See the week to week percentage difference here.

• Another look at the impact of the huge jump in unemployment claims by state. Study the map here.

 

Industries Affected by Coronavirus

Layoffs are coming at a more rapid rate than ever. Some industries felt an immediate impact and are still reeling. Look at the impact on different industries.

• Food & Beverage felt the immediate and powerful impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Here is a graphic that shows how they compare with other industries.

• Three most decimated industries.

 

Hiring During the Coronavirus Pandemic

There is no doubt that the coronavirus is creating joblessness in most all areas throughout the nation. However, there is a high level of hiring, too.

• Companies still hiring in Philadelphia.

• Here is a list of companies hiring in Atlanta.

• Hiring still going on in Tampa.

• Companies hiring in San Diego.

• Essential retailers ramp up hiring in New Jersey.

 

How To Safely Hold A Job Fair In The Era of Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Talent Acquisition Departments, like the rest of the world, are facing a new dynamic – how to recruit in the age of a pandemic like the Coronavirus. Virtural job fairs are the easy answer.

 

The public has been encouraged to avoid gatherings of large groups of people, to stay home as much as possible in order to stay safe. Conferences have been canceled. Employees are being asked to work remotely. Sporting events are being held without a live audience. The world has changed in the face of this new disease, and we have to change with it.

 

In days gone by, job fairs were an effective way to hire large numbers of employees quickly and efficiently. But in this new world, people are discouraged from gathering in large numbers – so how are you going to make the number of hires you need in a timely manner while respecting the new health guidelines?

With virtual career fairs, the answer is literally at your fingertips.

With virtual career fairs, the answer is literally at your fingertips. Current technology allows us to custom design your events, and provide you with strategic home pages, mobile registration – including screening questions and automated responses to your candidates, streaming video, ATS integration and real-time analytics – all designed to work around YOUR needs – YOUR schedule –YOUR budget – AND, most importantly, allowing your staff and your applicants to stay safe.

 

Virtual career fairs allow your team to remain at their desks, whether at home or the office, and interact personally with pre-screened applicants in real-time, creating an experience for applicants that immediately furthers your brand, creates a real relationship between applicant and recruiter, and establishes your company as both technologically savvy and socially aware.

 

Whether you want to hold a one-off event, or to take a deep dive and hold multiple monthly events, we have a solution for you. For more information, we invite you to view our case study and contact us for more information.

Kelsey O’Connor

NJ student-athlete receives scholarship from Parsippany communications firm

Kelsey O’Connor
NJSIAA Executive Director Larry White and Delaware Valley Regional High School student Kelsey O’Connor

Delaware Valley Regional High School student Kelsey O’Connor receives NJSIAA scholarship sponsored by SCG Advertising + Public Relations

 

PARSIPPANY, NJ (August 15, 2019) —  Delaware Valley Regional High School student Kelsey O’Connor was recently awarded an NJSIAA (New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association) scholarship sponsored by SCG Advertising + Public Relations.

 

On an annual basis, SCG recognizes a high school senior who demonstrates excellence both on the playing field and in the classroom, with a $500 scholarship award. The award is presented at the annual NJSIAA Scholar Athlete Luncheon.

 

O’Connor, who played field hockey and lacrosse, will use her scholarship to supplement her educational costs at Duquesne University, where she will study speech pathology.

 

At the 26th annual Scholar Athlete Luncheon, which was attended by more than 1,400 people, student-athletes were designated by their respective schools to receive scholarships. More than 350 New Jersey high school students were recognized at the luncheon and nearly $200,000 in scholarships was awarded.

A digital photo of NJSIAA Executive Director Larry White (left) and Delaware Valley Regional High School student Kelsey O’Connor is available here.  

 

TAPinto covered the SCG/NJSIAA press release.

 

About the NJSIAA 

NJSIAA logo Est 1918

Established in 1918, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletics Association (NJSIAA) is a voluntary, non-profit organization comprised of 436 accredited public, private, and parochial high schools. A member of the National Federation of State High School Associations, the NJSIAA conducts tournaments and crowns champions in 32 sports. Championship competition for girls is sponsored in basketball, bowling, cross country, fencing, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, outdoor track, winter track, and volleyball. Boys’ championships are determined in baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, fencing, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, outdoor track, winter track, volleyball, and wrestling.

 

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Mike Cherenson

12 Things Everyone Can Learn From Our Military

Our militaryLessons from a week-long experience, featuring the Secretary of Defense, some generals and admirals, and scores of young men and women in uniform

 

In March, I was selected to participate in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference (JCOC), the oldest and most prestigious U.S. Department of Defense public liaison program. As one of 36 JCOC participants, I spent seven days, from June 10-16, 2018, at military installations throughout the southeast, engaging with senior military officials and U.S. service members.  In addition to participating in tactical training exercises, our group was provided top-level briefings that gave us a deeper understanding of the roles and

mission of the U.S. Armed Forces, with emphasis on skills, capabilities, and the equipment employed in defense of our nation.

 

The experience was life-changing.

 

OUR JOURNEY

My journey began with a deep respect for all who’ve served – including my father and several uncles – but also an unease about war, particularly as a first option.

 

JCOC kicked off at the Pentagon with an executive breakfast featuring top commanders and senior leaders, followed by a question-and-answer session with Secretary of Defense James Mattis. We then traveled to U.S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston, SC; Marine Corps Recruiting Depot, Parris Island, SC;  the 23d Air Wing, Moody AFB, GA; U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, NC; and Norfolk Naval Station/Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Norfolk, VA.  

 

 

I shared my journey with top-notch, civilian leaders from both the public and private sectors – a veritable “Who’s Who” of those heading some of our nation’s largest, best-known, or impactful organizations. We not only shared a path, we also helped each other broaden our perspectives.

As a tiny sampling of some things I saw and did, at Fort Bragg we spent the day with U.S. Army Special Operations and took part in a simulated hostage situation.  At the conclusion of the day we were “rescued” from a rooftop by the Army Rangers who “took down” a small town – with bombs, bullets, dogs, helicopters, and sharpshooters – and ushered us to safety on Chinook helicopters. From there, we were taken to a dormant airfield, where we ventured into the woods, dined on road-kill prepared by the Army’s top survival specialists, and then celebrated the Army’s 243rd birthday with the Green Berets singing the Army song and eating cake cut by swords. And that was just one of seven days.

I began the week having never fired a gun – and before it ended, I’d been on a target range with an M-16, M-4, SR-26, M2010, M110, and a Glock handgun. Each of these weapons feature tremendous power, which they, in turn, convey to all who use them.  My overall experience, both with the weapons and those who regularly use them – served to reinforce my long-held belief that with power comes responsibility and a duty to practice restraint. I was pleased to learn this perspective is shared by those servicemen and women I met during my participation in the JCOC program.

IN AWE OF OUR MILITARY

Beyond the bombs and bullets, ships and jets, there were the people – the men and women of the armed forces, many of whom are younger than 20 – who are the essence of the U.S. military. Beyond bravery and service were core values common to all – loyalty, duty, respect, integrity, and honor.  Beyond the uniforms and crisp salutes was a resolute professionalism, academic rigor, leadership development, and relentless drive towards improvement.  I was in awe of the military might I saw displayed, and humbled by the sacrifice of others.  As much as I learned about our Armed Forces, I learned even more about our society and humanity.

 

KEY TAKEWAYS

There’s a great deal that 99 percent of us can learn from the less than one percent of all Americans currently serving in the military (of note, 70 percent of eligible Americans cannot serve, due to poor health/fitness, addiction, a criminal record, or related issues).* Here are several key items:

 

  1. Develop, articulate, and live your core values. Stand for something bigger than yourself.
  2. Commit yourself to life-long learning, re-tooling, and re-training. Constantly and rigorously assess and evaluate.
  3. Life is filled with important assignments – each is much like a mission. Have a clear objective and communicate it widely, up and down the literal or figurative chain of command.
  4. No person or organization is an island unto itself. Appreciate and understand your responsibilities, and be ready to learn from others.
  5. Have a Plan B and a Plan C at the ready … and be prepared to use them if a situation evolves.
  6. Respect yourself and others; fill your personal foxhole with those you trust.
  7. Take care of your body, mind, and soul.*
  8. Stress is natural and inevitable – learn to work with it.
  9. Discipline is far more than just a loud voice. It’s about commitment to training, teamwork, and others.
  10. Everyone can be a leader, no matter what their rank or title.
  11. Always give yourself and others a second chance.
  12. Put the needs of those under your command or direction ahead of your own.

 

SUMMARY

We rarely saw service personnel wearing their military finest — most were typically clad in camouflage-style uniforms. This style is certainly more functional and comfortable, and the ultimate aim is to blend into the environment.  Yet the more we saw of the men and women representing the various branches of our military, even in their camo garb, the less they blended in and the more they stood out for the heroes they are.

 

While we may not all agree about certain policies or missions, my hope is that we stand together in respecting those who stand ready to defend our country.

Check out the story featured on ROI-NJ.COM

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Day 1 – Pentagon/U.S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston, SC VIDEO SUMMARY, PHOTOS

Day 2 – Marine Corps Recruiting Depot, Parris Island, SC, VIDEO SUMMARYPHOTO SUMMARY

Day 3 – 23d Air Wing, Moody AFB, GA, VIDEO SUMMARY, PHOTO SUMMARY

Day 4 – U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, NC , VIDEO SUMMARY, PHOTO SUMMARY

Day 5 – Norfolk Naval Station/Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Norfolk, VA, VIDEO SUMMARY, PHOTO SUMMARY

Facebook security

Is it time to quit Facebook? Both users and brands are wondering.

Facebook security

Privacy has always been a concern for users on social media and across the internet, but these issues have come into the spotlight amidst recent reports of the Cambridge Analytica data scandal. And both users and brands are wondering is it finally time to dump Facebook. Across Twitter, #DeleteFacebook began trending. Celebrities made announcements that they were leaving Facebook. Several big name brands including Mozilla and Sonos temporarily suspended their Facebook advertising.

 

But what does this really mean for marketers? Should you pull back on your Facebook ad spending right now? Here are four reasons why companies should not be afraid to continue business as usual on Facebook.

 

1. Only a small number of people are leaving Facebook.

There are still over two billion users on the world’s largest social media platform, whose daily lives are entwined with Facebook. Although people are concerned, most are taking steps to be more cautious about data being shared rather than outright deleting their accounts.

 

Few companies are making changes to their ad spending as a result of the news, at least for now. According to Pathmatics, digital intelligence platform, of the top 1,000 ad spends on Facebook, only seven pulled ad spending following the Cambridge Analytica reports.

 

2. Facebook has been through issues before – and survived.

Facebook has already begun to make changes, including removing 3rd party data providers from its ad targeting, pausing all messenger bots and developing a new certification tool for marketers to guarantee email addresses used for ad targeting. Right now, Facebook’s priority will be to actively pursue solutions to earn back the trust of consumers.

 

Last year when Google-owned YouTube came under fire for showing brand ads next to hate speech and offensive content, brands boycotted YouTube but returned after a few months because of their quick response to remedy the situation. YouTube did not suffer any losses in earnings or growth.

 

3. Facebook advertising works.

The effectiveness of Facebook advertising has always been due to its hyper-targeting abilities. As the demand for transparency increases and access to data is limited, marketers may have to get more creative with targeting and begin to rethink their digital strategies, but as long as Facebook ads continue to deliver results, brands will continue to use it.

 

4. It could have happened to anyone.

This is the time we live in and privacy has been the tradeoff for the benefits of technology. And while the target is on Facebook right now, this is an overall consumer privacy issue across all digital media that needs to be addressed.

 

At the end of the day, leaving Facebook is a personal decision. As an ad agency, our job is to stay educated on the matter, monitor the situation closely for further fallout and help our clients determine the best strategy moving forward. And for brands, unless enough users leave or if the targeting regulations hurt performance, there is no reason to panic.

 

Regarding your personal account, learn ways to protect your data here.

 

Read more here:

http://adage.com/article/digital/marketers-wrangle-cambridge-analytica-fallout/312932/

https://marketingland.com/advertisers-didnt-leave-youtube-and-they-wont-leave-facebook-237063

https://www.impactbnd.com/blog/should-you-delete-your-facebook-account