Global Public Affairs in the Age of COVID-19
Global businesses are trying to function in unprecedented circumstances due to the borderless coronavirus pandemic. Companies are faced with financial, logistical and staff-related challenges as global travel becomes more restricted, employees are told to stay home, and many industries are seeing their operations come to a halt.
Those working in global public affairs are no exception to this new reality. So how can you still do your job effectively when the word “global” has been reduced to the confines of your living room, and your co-workers are suddenly underage and have a regularly scheduled nap?
Read on for tips on maintaining your network, staying informed, working with internal stakeholders and managing expectations.
- Maintain your network. Relationship building doesn’t have to be put on hold even when mobility and face-to-face meetings are limited. Use e-mail, videoconferencing and other communication platforms to keep in touch with external stakeholders that are key to your global advocacy and engagement strategy. This is an essential time to demonstrate to your external networks that you are still committed to your in-market relationships and key issues you have worked on together, as well as to communicate the steps your organization is taking to address the crisis in your various markets. While few are operating with a business-as-usual approach, it is still valuable to maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders across the world.
- Don’t panic and stay informed. It is essential to stay on top of the issues most relevant to your line of business, even if those issues are going to be put on the back burner until the crisis abates. Take advantage of your external resources such as trade associations, government contacts, consultants, think tanks and region-focused business councils to make sure you are up to date on developments that may affect your company’s operations abroad once business begins to return to normal. Staying informed will position your function as a source of information and stability in a time of information overload and a rapidly changing global business environment.
- Identify internal stakeholder needs. Working closely with business units, C-suite leadership and other internal stakeholders is important as companies address this new global challenge. Make sure you are leveraging or working to establish strong lines of communication across internal departments to identify areas where public affairs can be a resource. Can you help develop a communications plan for external stakeholder outreach? Is there an internal coronavirus task force that is helping business units stay informed? Can you tap into your global network to connect international colleagues with new resources and advice? Colleagues tasked with your organization’s coronavirus response may be overwhelmed and would welcome help. Demonstrating the value and return on investment of global public affairs is one of the biggest challenges of working in this field, and you may need to find new ways to use your skills to benefit company operations.
- Be realistic. With governments focusing on public health initiatives, few companies are going to achieve a major public affairs win in other policy areas in the coming months. Be realistic about which of your strategic goals can be accomplished and which ones will be put on hold until the global health crisis is under control (for example, new market entry or a piece of legislation unrelated to the crisis). Where there is crisis, there is also often opportunity. Many companies are examining their lines of business to determine how they are best positioned to help tackle this new global challenge. Companies such as LVMH and L’Oreal are pledging to provide hand sanitizer for communities where they operate, while numerous others are pledging funding, free distance-learning resources, and uninterrupted internet services to affected communities.
As global businesses adjust to this new reality, the Council plans to continue to be an important resource for its members and the public affairs community. Stay healthy and safe, and don’t hesitate to approach us with your questions and concerns, as well as take advantage of the Council’s numerous virtual executive education opportunities.
Reach Dasha at 202.787.5972 or [email protected].[/vc_toggle]
Working Through COVID-19: Public Affairs Council Resources
As global businesses adjust to today’s new reality, the Council continues to be a resource for our members and the public affairs community. Our information hub features news and expertise for public affairs professionals navigating the Covid-19 pandemic. We hope you will take advantage of the Council’s numerous virtual executive education opportunities, tip sheets and case studies. Stay healthy and safe, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us with your questions and concerns.
Country-Specific Resources for Managing COVID-19 Abroad
International operations vary from country to country. We’ve compiled helpful resources for market-specific guidance and recommendations.
Council member Prospectiva Consulting provides a weekly summary on developments in Latin America, PATRI Public Affairs has a new report on the status of Covid-19 in Brazil, Grupo Estrategia Politica (GEP) is publishing weekly reports on developments and news about the virus in Mexico, and GR Group and FleishmanHillard cover South Korea’s response.
Read on for additional insights and resources on regions throughout the world, including reports from Global Public Affairs, Kesarev, CEC Government Relations, Politico, GPLUS and more.
Brazil: PATRI Public Affairs has a new report on the status of COVID-19 in Brazil. This report discusses measures taken by the federal administration to curb the spread of the virus and presents the government’s essential measures that impact the private sector: labor and tax measures, plans for credit and liquidity, and the operation of essential activities, in addition to the key government committees and task forces in action.
Mexico: Council member Grupo Estrategia Politica (GEP) is publishing weekly reports on developments and news about the virus in Mexico. Given the disparity of federal, state and municipal restrictions, GEP has also developed a visual report that integrates different actions by governments and is continuously updated. GEP considers the current crisis to also be an opportunity to position the private sector as an ally to the government. They are in constant communication with state and federal authorities to understand their needs and help find solutions offered by the private sector. This strategy can generate goodwill from both sides and create long-term alliances. All COVID-19-related information can be found on GEP’s free access website.
Japan and South Korea: GR Group and FleishmanHillard, both Council members, have published reports on South Korea’s response to COVID-19. GR Group’s report can be found here, and FleishmanHillard’s report is linked here. GR Group has also provided a report on Japan’s response to Covid-19, which tracks the number of cases, the government’s response to the crisis and insights on the political implications of the crisis. In addition, GR Group will be sharing more best practice insights on the Council’s webinar on Public Affairs in Japan on May 12.
European Union: The constraints imposed in response to COVID-19 are forcing European and global public affairs professionals to think creatively. The Council’s Brussels office recently held a virtual panel discussion on how members are managing their teams, networks and daily work under confinement. Access a recording of the virtual panel. Politico provides a helpful tool for tracking Europe’s coronavirus lockdown, exit strategies at the country level, and GPLUS has shared an infographic on EU-level economic response measures to the current crisis. FleishmanHillard also provides a daily brief on Europe’s response to the crisis, with a country-by-country breakdown and analysis of developments.
Central Europe: Council member CEC Government Relations publishes a regularly updated report on COVID-19 response across Central and Eastern Europe, including developments in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
Russia and Eurasia: Council member Kesarev Consulting has created a helpful infographic on “Government Relations in times of Quarantine,” with updates on the operational status of government institutions and their ability to provide support to businesses. Kesarev has also produced a longer report that covers developments in the Eurasian economic union (EAEU) and 10 countries in the EMEA and Eurasia region, including Russia, Belarus, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Poland, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
China: As China moves to re-open its economy, FleishmanHillard has released a report on stages and expectations of the crisis voiced by cross-sections of the population, including health care workers, people at medical risk and essential workers. The firm also provides an interesting take on the cultural differences and similarities in global consumer sentiment as people across the globe deal with new restrictions to their lifestyles.
Canada: Council member Global Public Affairs is regularly updating their “Insights” on public affairs developments in Canada, with recent content focusing on the infrastructure stimulus, reputation management and proactive corporate planning during a pandemic. GPA has also launched a podcast featuring its Chairman, former Canadian broadcaster Tom Clark. “Tom’s Take” has launched a special series around Covid-19, featuring topics including business operations during the crisis, U.S. – Canada relations, the collapse of oil prices and intergovernmental response to COVID-19. GPA will be presenting on the Council’s Public Affairs in Canada webinar on May 21.[/vc_toggle]
Upcoming Executive Education Programs
Virtual Workshop: Successful Global Advocacy Strategies
May 21, 2020, 1:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. EST
Global advocacy requires a 360-degree perspective on public affairs. This workshop will feature sessions on both internal and external strategies, including guidance on working with business units to align priorities, planned and reactive strategies, and recommendations for defining objectives, risks, opportunities and key stakeholders.
Free Webinar: Public Affairs in Japan
May 12, 2020, 11 a.m. – noon EST
Foreign companies often underestimate the potential of public affairs and government relations in Japan. Join the Council for a briefing with GR Group Japan, a Council member, as they offer insights on the country’s public affairs landscape, obstacles and opportunities when operating in the region, as well as best practices and tactics that can help achieve your organization’s goals.
Free Webinar: Public Affairs in Canada
May 21, 2020, 11 a.m. – noon EST
Want an update on public affairs trends in Canada? Council member Global Public Affairs is joining us for our annual briefing on Canada. They will discuss the country’s public affairs landscape, best practices for operating in the region and how public affairs practitioners are adjusting to the political, social and economic challenges during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Free Webinar: A Global Public Affairs Conversation: Submit Your Questions
June 2, 2020, 11 a.m. – noon EST
Join the Council for an hour-long conversation on how the most successful professionals in the field overcome various challenges. Participants will have a chance to submit their questions ahead of time, which will be used to lead the discussion. A panel of experienced global public affairs practitioners will provide their thoughts, while encouraging participants to contribute and discuss their own work and solutions to the toughest questions in the industry.