What the Wall Street crisis means for communicators

Your communications should reflect the current economic turmoil; here’s how some communicators are already doing that

Wall Street’s meltdown ripples across nearly every industry, including corporate communications.

In fact, communicators with seemingly little or no connection to America’s financial sector will experience fallout.

That fallout could mean budget reductions, even layoffs; it definitely means the content in your internal and, possibly, external communications should reflect the Wall Street crisis. And some communicators are already taking these steps.

In Oregon, it’s the United Way

Take, for example, Eileen Burmeister, an editor at the privately owned wood manufacturer Roseburg Forest Products in Oregon. She just discussed the faltering economy with her boss and how it relates to a future article meant to encourage employees to donate to the United Way.

“How do we do that sensitively in light of a horrible economy, layoffs and budget cuts?” Burmeister asked in a MyRagan forum. “Nearly every financial story needs to be written in light of the reality for most employees and their families.”