The Oil and Gas sector plays a crucial role in influencing decision-making for other important sectors of the economy. India’s economic growth is closely related to its energy demand and therefore the need for growth of the petroleum sector, making the sector conducive for investment.
When a humanitarian crisis like the Corona virus pandemic hit, it was easy to be scared of the future. But, as they say that nothing in life should be feared but understood and when it comes to consumer engagement, this is what brands need to remember. Brands need to be fearless and empathetic in the way they engage with consumers and earn their trust. By showing that they care for their consumers and employees even in this time of crisis, a brand ensures a permanent position in the consumers hearts long after the pandemic.
Around two-thirds of consumers say that brand response to the pandemic will have a ‘huge impact’ on their likelihood of purchasing the same brand’s products and services in the future, a recent Edelman Trust Barometer revealed. While we focus on the response bit, we must also understand that brand messaging has never been more important. Here are a few strategies that brands need to focus on to build trust and sustain it.
In a pre-Covid world, we would not be talking about how integral virtual technology is to interpersonal communication. This is because earlier interpersonal communication was not completely dependent on virtual technology. Before Covid-19, only around 7% of U.S. employees regularly worked from home collaborating and connecting virtually. In Europe, most countries had only up to 10% of remote employees. Countries like Sweden, Netherlands and Denmark have comparatively had a much higher ercentage of remote employees, of around 20%. However, in India, the concept of working from home and using virtual platforms had not been very popular. Cut to 2020, a post-Covid world changed the entire story.
Way back in 1959, US President John F. Kennedy had said that word ‘crisis’ also presents an opportunity. Decades later, this statement is more relevant than ever for businesses during a pandemic. When a pandemic like Coronavirus struck us, everything from our daily routine to the way we run business and hold conversations has changed drastically. While we are together in this, the truth is our perspective is also changing collectively. As leaders in the communications sector, we have to focus on the shifts while being sensitive so that we can be responsible without losing out on opportunities. In the last few years, the digital platform was teeming with opportunities for the communication industry. Now, with everyone at home, the need to convey the right message on the digital platform has also become imperative. Moreover, the economic challenges of the current period have ensured that businesses think innovatively when it comes to the digital media.
I recall this line written I had read long time ago that said that the most dangerous thought in today’s world is “we have always done it this way”. Echoing a certain Darwinian sentiment which calls for adaptability, this is very integral to business and marketing, especially in the current unprecedented times. If there is one thing that Covid 19 has made us realise, it is that the uncertainty looming over us calls for drastic change in the way every brand is handled. As leaders, responsible for important communication in these times, we must be clear about how we perceive our brand and showcase it to the world to retain relevance while being sensitive.
Here are a few ways in which brands need to decode marketing in these tough times of fighting a pandemic.