Skip to content
iQ 360
An integrated communications agency
360
  • Home
  • Our Work
  • Capabilities
  • About
  • Join Us
  • Blog
  • Contact
We build + protect reputations

A Post-Pandemic Communications Industry

07.14.21 | by iQ Staff
  • Share via
Communications, ESG, PR
  • Share via

While the pandemic continues to take its toll around the world, our first “post-pandemic” summer in the United States is shaping up to be profoundly different than previous ones. The cultural, social and lifestyle shifts that we adopted in the past year have left their indelible marks on individuals and corporations. Below, we reflect on what all of this means for communications teams and the industry in the near term.

 

The makeup of communications teams is changing

The Wall Street Journal recently called working from home the ultimate signing bonus.

As the lines between personal and professional life continue to blur, it’s increasingly acceptable to consider “lifestyle” a legitimate career-choice element, even a primary one.

As companies decide whether to call employees back to the office, people are taking the time to deeply evaluate their lifestyles and what they want for their families. This trend means the communications industry is changing as workers ask themselves fundamental questions. Do they want to live in a city or in the country? Do they want to commute every day? How much stress are they willing to put up with daily? How demanding do they want their jobs to be? Are they adamant about working from home full time and refusing air travel? Do they want to move to a less expensive city if they are no longer geographically bound to an office?

As with other teams in your company, “the great resignation” is causing a shift in the makeup of communications teams, as people unapologetically seek out the arrangements that work best for them, often found at smaller firms. This movement is creating more diverse communications teams at the same time that many companies are also making a stronger commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I). The result is that companies are willing to consider or embrace richer communications campaigns and content, with attention to DE&I and other social issues. In addition, team members in different locations or with different backgrounds can bring fresh perspectives and ask important questions in communications planning.

 

Corporate culture is having a moment

For many companies, contemplating “return to the office” strategies have triggered thoughtful consideration of corporate culture and values. Corporate reputations are on the line as communications teams update shareholders, consumers and other external audiences on their plans.

From an internal communications standpoint, this one decision, and how and when its communicated, stands to overshadow other priorities for employees. Considering the previous discussion about workers being willing to change jobs to fit their lifestyle choices, companies need to provide complete information about working in the office, remote or hybrid options and any workplace adjustments that have resulted from the pandemic. All executives and managers should be provided with a common understanding of any changes in HR policies so that they can be communicated clearly and consistently.

 

The communicator’s role is expanding

A company’s success hinges on reputation, especially now, as employees and customers have shown they will switch to a competitor if they don’t agree with a company’s words or actions. With the pandemic, social unrest and – in the U.S. – a presidential election in the same year, consumers grew increasingly concerned with the values, ethics, and behaviors of their favorite brands.

It has always been the communication teams’ job to not only protect reputations, but also to guide the company’s larger decisions that affect that reputation. Communications professionals — who were already responsible for marketing, public relations, social media and more — now face additional responsibilities in business consulting; diversity, equity & inclusion (DE&I); environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting and strategic planning.

 

Final Thoughts

Thanks to the dynamic nature of our current environment, there is a tremendous opportunity for communicators to make moves, define their roles, and contribute in meaningful ways to important dialogues impacting their companies, customers and communities. Despite the turmoil and the changes that have occurred in the industry, it can be a positive and fulfilling time to be a communications professional.

  • Share via

Top Picks for You


February 1, 2023

ESG in 2023: Part 3 →

January 18, 2023

ESG in 2023: Part 2 →

Post navigation

 New Media Consumption Habits Invite Brands to Step Up
The Great Resignation Is a Wake-Up Call for Leaders 

Categories

C-Suite
Tactics & Tips
Visual Communication
iQ Insights

Must Reads

March 11, 2020

Communicating During Times of Uncertainty →

April 15, 2020

Why Internal Communication Should be Your Top Priority →

October 9, 2019

The Real Value of Diversity in Marketing →

Stay in the know with our quarterly newsletter
Loading...
iQ 360

We believe in the power of communication to change the world

808.536.2729
Privacy Policy | ©2023 iQ 360 Inc. All rights reserved.
We are a certified minority- and woman-owned business.
iQ 360

We believe in the power of communication to change the world

808.536.2729
Privacy Policy
©2023 iQ 360 Inc. All rights reserved.

We are a certified minority- and woman-owned business.

Privacy Policy

Last updated on June 5, 2018.

 

This privacy policy explains our collection, use, disclosure, retention, and protection of personal information collected through our website, www.iq360inc.com (the “Website”).

 

  1. Information We Collect

We collect personally identifiable information about you, including your name, email address, and phone number, when you send an inquiry to us on the contact form on the Website.

 

  1. How We Use Your Information

We will use your information only to respond to you regarding the reason you contacted us. We will contact you by the means by that you have consented to us contacting you, as you indicate when you submit an inquiry to us via the Website.  We will not share your information with any third party outside of our organization.  We do not send any promotional emails; however, we may contact you via email in the future to tell you about changes to this privacy policy.

 

  1. Cookies

 

  1. Storage of Information

Personally identifiable information that you submit to us via the Website is processed and stored, if at all, in the United States.  We will not keep your personal data for longer than is necessary for the purposes for which it was collected.  We determine the retention period based on the purpose for which the information was obtained, our legal obligations, and our technical and business requirements. 

 

  1. Your Access to and Control Over Information

You have the right to opt out of any future contacts from us at any time. You may do the following at any time by contacting us via info@iq360.inc.com or 808-536-2729:

  • See what data we have about you, if any.
  • Change/correct any data we have about you.
  • Have us delete any data we have about you.
  • Express any concern you have about our use of your data or if you feel that we are not abiding by this privacy policy.

  

  1. Security

We take precautions to protect your information. When you submit sensitive information via the Website, your information is protected both online and offline. Only employees who need the information to perform a specific job (for example, customer service) are granted access to personally identifiable information. The computers/servers in which we store personally identifiable information are kept in a secure environment.

 

  1. Updates to This Statement

This privacy policy may be subject to updates.  Any material future changes or additions to the processing of personal information as described in this privacy policy affecting you will be communicated to you through an appropriate channel.  For example, we may email you to let you know about updates to the privacy policy.

 

 

Subscribe

Emails collected through this form will be used for marketing and business updates. We are the sole owners of the information collected on this site. We only have access to information that you voluntarily give us. We will not sell or rent this information to anyone. You may opt out of any future contacts from us at any time by contacting us via the email address or phone number given on our website. Please see our privacy policy for full details.