Episode #17: Crisis Comms Expert Edward Segal on Communicating COVID and Facebook's Fumbles. Also: New Work Contracts, "Karen", and Success Addiction

Talking Shop Podcast

The author of "Crisis Ahead: 101 Ways to Prepare for and Bounce Back from Disasters, Scandals, and Other Emergencies" Edward Segal shared practical advice for companies communicating with staff about COVID-19, including how to manage layoffs or furloughs in a caring, empathetic way. He also critiqued Facebook's communications performance from the Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2016 to today, and why companies currently boycotting the service could find themselves with their own scandals to manage. The 30-year communications veteran also shared tips on preparing a great speech, how to stay calm before facing the media, and why keeping up with technology is important.

We also discuss some changes to employment contracts as a result of COVID-19 that gives employers much more room to layoff staff. Ewan encourages people to read their contracts carefully.

Also: the death of Regis Philbin, Hong Kong's embarrassing reversal on restaurant closures just one day after implementation, and why 'success addicts' are choosing being special over being happy.

A transcript of the entire episode has been published on CamMacMurchy.com.

If you enjoy the podcast, please tell a friend or family member. We are very grateful!

Don't miss a new episode -- or an update to topics discussed on the show -- by following us on social media. You can find our accounts on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook with the account name PRLawPodcast. You are also welcome to subscribe to our YouTube channel.

If you have a question we would be happy to answer it on the show! Just post it to social media with the hashtag #PRLawPod.

Links and Sources

• Crisis Ahead: 101 Ways to Prepare for and Bounce Back from Disasters, Scandals, and Other Emergencies - Amazon
• Crisis Ahead Podcast - EdwardSegal.com
• Hong Kong Bans Eating in Restaurants. And then it Doesn't - New York Times
• Regis Philbin, Legendary TV Host, Dies at 88 - People
• Wilford Brimley, 'Cocoon' Star and Quaker Oats Pitchman, is Dead at 85 - New York Times
• A Brief History of 'Karen' - New York Times
• 'Success Addicts' Choose Being Special Over Being Happy - The Atlantic
• The World Quietly Inches Closer to War - CamMacMurchy.com

Hosts

Ewan Christie is an employment lawyer and partner at Duntrune LLP in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Cam MacMurchy is a corporate communications executive with a multinational technology company listed in Hong Kong and curator of the Digital Bits PR and Communications newsletter.