A Blog to Help Retailers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

As the number of cases of COVID-19 increase, so does the associated anxiety. That is where this blog comes in. I've created a blog (Retail Resources) that will be updated each Monday to include the most relevant information and resources I've seen over the past week to help you lead — as well as stay sane — in this unprecedented time. Retail Resources will feature a curated list of the best leadership and professional development content I've seen, as well as timely resources around wellness (which we all need now), small business information, job postings, etc. Oh, and there will be some fun stuff as well. I truly hope this blog is helpful. Lastly, if there's anything you would like me to share in a future blog post, please let me know by dropping me a line at mcampanelli@napco.com.

Leadership Articles

• This article, "Leadership in an Outbreak," from Korn Ferry features insights from its experts across the globe on how leaders can help their organizations navigate — and excel — during this time of uncertainty.
• Bain & Company takes the right note in this article, "Coronavirus: How to Be the Leader Your People Need Right Now." It discusses how to engage people in the right way, at the right time, with the right information.
• This article, "Coronavirus: The Hammer and the Dance," by Tomas Pueyo, and featured on Medium, describes the options we face to combat COVID-19, what different countries have done, and when this might finally pass.
• In this article, "Leadership, courage, and the power of collective thinking," the former chief of defense of the armed forces of the Netherlands explains the challenges of leading in a crisis and why those who do must have the confidence to act.
• Robert Glazer's blog post, War Time (#222), is one of the most articulate and clearly written pieces I've seen about how leaders need to behave during this current crisis. And how should they behave? According to Glazer, "today’s leaders must adopt a wartime mind-set and understand that victory will mean having to deviate from a peacetime playbook. Life or business as normal will not get us there."

Wellness

• CoveyClub is an online club for women 40-plus who want to continue learning, growing and expanding their world by making new friends and deeper connections. The CoveyClub is generously allowing the public free access to some of its excellent programming. For example, on Mon., April 20 and Mon., April 27, CoveyClub is offering an hour-long live web event with Reinvention Coaches Wendy Perrotti and Dana Hilmer. The session is designed to help you reset with a positive attitude for the week ahead. Here is the link to register.
• In this article, "How Gratitude & Action Can Drive Results During a Crisis," one of my favorite marketing experts, Carolyn Montrose Dub, lays out a “Gratitude Into Action” exercise designed for small business owners, teams and leaders. The exercise involves writing down what you're grateful for and pairing it with consistent actions. Carolyn swears this exercise will bring big results.
• Lizzie Alberga and members of her Collective Gain coaching team have come together to offer various free virtual workshops to support you, your teams, your friends, and others as we navigate this new temporary reality. Topics for virtual workshops this week include, "Positive Psychology and Mind-Set Tools to Regain Perspective," "Being a Chief of Staff During Crazy Times," and "Manage Stress in Challenging Times." To learn more and register, click here.

Job Info

• LinkedIn is doing a great job of updating a list of companies that are currently hiring. What's more, LinkedIn has published an excellent article offering tips and best practices for job seekers during this time.
• The National Retail Federation also has a great list of job opportunities for workers displaced during the COVID-19 crisis.
• Well-known e-commerce recruiter Adam Rose has put together a Google Sheet with names of e-commerce professionals who have lost their jobs as a result of the current crisis. The idea is to have a running spreadsheet of those who have been impacted that can be distributed on LinkedIn or in front of people currently hiring. You can access the list here. If you would like to be added to the list, reach out to Adam on LinkedIn.

Small Business Info

• The Small Business Association (SBA) has put together a helpful and easy-to-read guide of small business guidance and loan resources .
• BizWomen, a newsletter from the American City Business Journals newspaper chain that provides business news, events, community and conversations for women in business, has compiled an interesting list of companies and organizations that have earmarked funds for small business owners scrambling for financial survival right now. Some are specifically designated to help women business owners recover.
• Latina media dynamo and women’s empowerment advocate Nely Galán has launched a webinar series connecting women small business owners and independent contractors to resources at the federal and state Level. The first webinar, taking place April 16, features Victoria Guerrero, district director, U.S. Small Business Administration, who will walk attendees through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) application, followed by a live Q&A. You can register here.

Fun Stuff

• Want to listen to amazing concerts and events going on all around the world ? Check out this Livestream Directory.
• Business Insider has put together a list of all of the 92 Best Picture winners, ranked by film critics. It's a great read, and also helpful if you're looking for something else to watch besides "Tiger King."
• If you've haven't seen this before, please make it a priority: On this episode of John Krasinski's YouTube show, Some Good News, Lin-Manuel Miranda and the original Hamilton cast show up to make a little girl's dream come true.
• Thrive Global has compiled a list of inspiring books to read while social distancing. There are some good picks in here.