What are businesses thinking if the stay at home ban is extended and how long can we collectively endure a stay at home order? What are the needs beyond financial?  

While we can’t speak for how long all businesses can endure the stay at home order, we do know that there are a lot of needs beyond financial. As the consumer landscape has shifted during the pandemic it has become clear that the way businesses communicate to their consumers is extremely important. Whether the stay at home order is extended, or whether businesses are able to begin opening again in mid to late May, clear communication of things such as what each business is offering, how they fared during the pandemic, and store hours will be extremely important.  

I would like to know if they have any insight into what high school seniors and their families are thinking concerning college plans. And also those with associate degrees, considering bachelor’s degree completion plans now.  

The data found that 44% of respondents have taken or would consider taking online courses or training to further skills of education since the COVID-19 hit. While the data does not indicate specifically what high school seniors and their families are thinking concerning college plans, much of those decisions will likely depend on how colleges themselves plan to open back up again.  

Will you address spending/interest in service industries, including medical, legal, finance and marketing?  

Our data found that 94% of respondents were concerned with their own and their families health and 64% are more likely to consider using telemedicine or digital healthcare since COVID-19 hit. In terms of data from the financial sector, the survey found 36% are using digital banking products at their financial institution more since COVID -19 hit. 

Are consumers increasingly patronizing self-help and entertainment services online, such as life coaching, tarot, meditation, etc.?  

While the survey doesn’t indicate specifically about self-help services, the data does show that 31% of respondents are spending more in the health, wellness, and personal care categories. 

Are you seeing people turn to radio, TV or the internet for their news? Statistics for that?  Additionally, and more specifically, without sporting events, where and to what media are the sports fans turning?  

People are going through “sports withdrawal” and they want to find sports content wherever it is.  Media outlets are finding ways to connect even when there aren’t live games, making themselves the relevant source for sports news even during a pandemic.  Creating new content based on old content, thinking of new angles and approaches to their platform. Others are staying engaged with their fans through social media 

Should everyone who is returning to work be tested twice even though they are asymptomatic?  

We aren’t qualified to answer medical questions, but the CDC is a good first source of information regarding COVID-19.  

Based on the numbers and your “best guess”, which industries do you think will return to productivity and profitability the fastest? Where are the most employment opportunities going to be?  

The industries that didn’t go dark (essential businesses) will return to productivity most quickly.  Those who continued to engage with their customers and provide services, even in limited capacities by rethinking their business models, will also come back more quickly.  There will be pent up demand for barbers, salons, in-person dining at restaurants, elective medical procedures, etc.  How quickly they come back will depend on the loosening of social distancing restrictions and new procedures that will be in place. We also believe that businesses that begin to communicate now on how they will be ready to re-open (cleaning and social distancing procedures) will be well positioned to quickly win market share. 

How is the mattress/pillow/bedding market influenced?  

 Home improvement is a category where about 1 in 10 said they will use all or part of their stimulus check, and the #1 category of spending after living expenses.  After spending weeks focused on staying inside, this category could see an uptick.  

Consumer behavior towards spending. Whether People will go for Premium products.  Health And Hygiene in terms of Safety and Cleanliness is going to  be a priority of people ??  

Right now it’s a question of supply and demand.  People will compromise brands for availability.  There will continue to be a demand for cleaning/sanitizing products.  There will be an expectation of greater transparency of a company’s cleaning and sanitizing practices.  If you’re a salon for an example, you’ll want to post in your business and also on your website and on social media what you’re doing to keep your clients safe and healthy.   

What are the best tools to utilize when transitioning to the digital market?, What advice would you give for a start-up business trying to gain exposure and clientele during a a time like such?, Once I understand where people are spending time & money, whats the best approach to getting their attention?  

When it comes to digital marketing, the best tools are going to depend on what your objectives and needs are. Marketing tactics like display advertising or sponsored content work well if you are looking to gain more brand awareness, and tactics such as search engine marketing and search engine optimization work well if you are looking for more conversions. For a start-up our biggest suggestion right now is to focus on brand awareness and communication. Think both long-term and short-term about how you can show value- the more you can make people aware of how you can help them right now the more they will favor your brand for the future.   

What is happening with beer sales for off premise consumption?  Where are consumers shopping – liquor stores, grocery, specialty, or predominantly on line?  Are they going for new items or staying with old favorites?  Best practices to communicate with consumers about beer?  

While our data doesn’t indicate spending habits specifically about beer and alcohol, we do suggest that best practices to communicate with consumers about beer are to let them know how and where they can make purchase, and creating content and communication that keeps people engaged with your brand while the pandemic is happening.  

Are students and parents looking for colleges closer to home due to the Covid-19? 

While our data doesn’t suggest that students are looking towards colleges closer to home, it does show that 44% of respondents have taken or would consider taking online courses or training to further their education since the COVID-19 hit.  

How is the crisis impacting charitable giving? 

While our survey did not look into the impact on charitable giving, research from Fidelity Charitable indicates that there has been an increase.  

If you’re interested in learning more about the study, please provide your information below to access the full presentation and audio recording.  We hope that this information gives you insights, provides some peace of mind and helps you look toward a bright future that is hopefully right around the corner.

CONSUMER COVID-19 STUDY

Additionally, if you are in need of marketing services to help you stay relevant now, well helping to prepare for the re-opening to come, please reach out to marketing@masslive.com.  One of our marketing experts will work with you to develop custom strategies to help you kickstart your business.

Manufacturing Recruitment Strategy

Worker shortages in manufacturing industry is real. Highly skilled positions remain open as a significant portion of the manufacturing workforce is nearing retirement age. For manufacturers, building and maintaining a robust and skilled talent pool is key for both short-term and long-term hiring success.

Recruitment Marketing as a Relationship Builder, Not Just Candidate Sourcing

Don’t wait to be present until a position is open – consistently position your brand in front of both passive and active job seekers. Consistent branding creates a talent pool who is familiar with your company, benefits, culture and therefore more likely to consider you when looking to make a career change. Top of the funnel marketing tactics such as video and display make your brand presence known.

Build A Connection By Understanding Your Best Potential Candidates 

Develop personas, marketing strategies and campaigns specific to your common open positions. Different positions attract different types of candidates. Understanding the nuances allows you to more directly content with job seekers, to communicate your company story and to welcome them into your culture with a personalized approach. Seek out a recruitment marketing partner with a deep data bench, capable of developing audience segments, media placements and creative to speak directly to specific candidate audiences.

Enhance Your Job Board Presence with Display & Video

Placements on job boards are effective in reaching those actively seeking a position. However, other traditional marketing methods like targeted display and video allow companies to share their full story. More visual formats let prospective candidates see your benefits and experience your culture. Both elements that can cause them to choose you as their next employer – over your competition.

SUCCESS STORIES

Healthcare Recruitment Strategy

A growing aging population, pandemic burnout and a ramp up of traveling nurse opportunities have put a strain on healthcare recruitment. Nurses are in high demand – with an abundance of employment options to choose from. How does your healthcare facility standout in this mad dash for employment?

Invest in the Community You Serve

Healthcare is essential to the community. Consider supporting the community you serve by sponsoring local events, job fairs and awards to keep your organization top-of-mind. Not only will these positive associations bring your organization front and center, it will also generate positive word of mouth among the community – reaching friends and families connected to potential candidates.

Showcase Company Culture

Give a glimpse of what its like to work at your organization on any given day. Show the people who work there, the halls to be walked and the benefits to be had. Video succinctly communicates positive culture through virtual tours, testimonials and more. Written testimonials and other content featuring current employees lend authenticity to your showcase.

Replenish Talent Pools with New Grads

New graduates are critical in helping to fill staffing gaps and to replenish talent pools. Utilize highly targeted strategies to reach new graduates, while still on campus, where they are spending their time. Hyper local mobile targeting puts your organization front and center among soon-to-be-graduating adding you to their consideration set for post-graduation employment.

SUCCESS STORIES

Education Recruitment Strategy

Like most categories of business, education providers are facing faculty and staff shortages. Finding experienced and passionate educators and faculty continues to be a challenge. Education institutions should look beyond salary and benefits to larger strategies to drive interest and applications for the upcoming school year ahead.

Build Your Talent Pool with Year-Round Strategy

Primary education recruitment season begins at the end of the previous school year, with many schools starting from scratch every year. Establishing a year-round recruitment marketing strategy, allows you
to reach faculty and staff considering a change throughout the school year, adding them to your talent pool as the year progresses. Having a year-round plan also puts your institution front and center, outside of the more cluttered traditional recruitment period.

Utilize Your Community As A Recruitment Tool

Your community has the potential to be a unique selling point for your institution. Consider highlighting the quality of life – showing prospective employees the community you serve. Community events, local activities, cost of living and more can have pull over prospective employees looking to make a move or to enjoy a way of life your community offers. Partner with local events, local organizations and even your convention and visitors bureau to generate content about your community.

Job Fairs Help Build Awareness of Your Institution

Passive and Active job seekers join job fairs to learn more about prospective districts and institutions. By merely being present, among your competition, you can ensure that your district or institution is in the consideration set for educators looking to make a career move. Both in-person and virtual career fairs provide additional visibility and awareness for your institution.

SUCCESS STORIES

Warehouse Recruitment Strategy

Warehouses are experiencing unprecedented growth thanks to a shift towards online shopping. As growth continues and timely shipping remains critical, warehouses face a continual shortage of workers.

Tout the Benefits That Make You Stand Out

Warehousing jobs are not historically known for good benefits and upward mobility. With changing demand and increased competition, more warehouse companies are adding long-term benefits and job training to their offerings. As an employer, tout benefits like 401Ks, employer matching and paid training as part of new hire packages. Talk about your openings more as long-term careers vs. short- term or holiday employment for additional appeal.

Get Connected In the Community

Grassroots community efforts and word of mouth tactics still hold strong in warehousing recruitment. Sponsoring local community events and job fairs raises brand awareness in the community, spreads positive sentiment about your organization and jump starts word of mouth. This simple activation makes your organization more likely to be noticed by potential job seekers and considered as a stable, future local employer in a future job search.

Local Jobs, Local Placements

Warehousing recruitment pulls most applicants and new hires locally. Very rarely to companies hire outside of their immediate market. Tap into the local job seeker scene through local job boards, job fairs and other local job posting opportunities. Local job seekers continually use these outlets to find new employment opportunities.

SUCCESS STORIES

Trucking Recruitment Strategy

Facing an aging workforce and increased competition for new talent, the trucking industry struggles to keep recruitment pipelines full and trucking routes staffed. Trucking industries should look to implement full-funnel marketing strategies to not only attract active job seekers but it keep talent pools fresh with new prospects.

Address Trucking Industry Myths

Increase top-of-the-funnel prospects by introducing the benefits of a trucking industry careers to passive job seekers. Address potential concerns head-on, including hours, mileage goals and living conditions while highlighting employment benefits such as 401K matching, healthcare and time off. Video and written content are both great vehicles to communicate this information.

Stay in Touch with Prospects

Deciding to change careers can be a lengthy process for passive job seekers. Keep your talent pool active with periodic communication about your business, job openings and career benefits. Set up an email calendar, reaching out to a list of emails from those who you met at job fairs, submitted an inquiry or sent a full resume. Frequently post about your culture, the trucking industry and openings to keep your followers engaged.

Job Boards Are Important

Trucking applicants remain tapped in to local and regional job boards. A presence on local job boards and job aggregator sites provide you business with bottom of the funnel presence – reaching those interested in the truck industry and actively applying now.

SUCCESS STORIES

Professional Recruitment Strategy

Finding outstanding talent that fits your culture is a concern for any business. Make the most of your time and resources by attracting qualified candidates that can hit the ground running and succeed within your organization. Identify quality talent and cultivate your talent pool with leading recruitment marketing strategies perfect for professional businesses.

Showcase Your Company Culture

Tell the story of your business, your history, your employees and more. The more a prospective employee knows about your operations and culture the more they are able to determine whether they are a match for your organization. Office tour videos, employee testimonials and other visuals can help to show daily life within your company.

Tailor Communications to Open Positions

Instead of deploying blanket recruitment ads for all positions in your company, consider developing custom creative and campaigns for each position. Messaging should focus on key benefits and operations of that role, showcase photos and videos of that segment of your business and speak directly to those candidates. Specific communication, drives more qualified applications – increasing your odds of finding a match while building up your talent pool - than general recruitment ads.

Use Job Boards to Reach Active Job Seekers

Job Fairs, local job boards and job board aggregators remain critical bottom-of-the-funnel tactics in securing applications for open positions. While other flashier tactics will fill the top of your funnel, these more nitty-gritty media elements provide a place for active job seekers to seamlessly apply for the positions they want – now.

SUCCESS STORIES

 

A few video examples:

Photography work for providers: