April 2, 2020

Hi Gang,

You’ve encouraged me to keep these going, so I’ll do my best! I realize email isn’t the most elegant platform, but I’ve experimented with LinkedIn Groups and Facebook Groups… it’s crickets. We’re all on email, and most of us don’t want to deal with yet another place to go for information. But, it would be nice to have a central location for these links and resources. So, I’ll see what I can come up with (new project!). Here are some updates today…

Resources

• HBR: Don’t Hide Bad News in Times of Crisis

• Company-specific staffing info – I cannot validate the accuracy of this tally, but people from all industries are reporting back on company hiring/freezing/layoff decisions

• TechCrunch: Leading VCs discuss how COVID-19 has impacted the world of digital health

• Public Service Announcement: Zantac, generics ordered off the market after FDA finds they're a ticking time bomb – Would hate for this to get lost in the headlines!

• Well-being Tip Sheet

Ideas from the Community

• Internal Learning & Development: LOVE this idea from a CHRO in our community. Tap into your team’s collective wisdom and talent! People on your team could host classes on topics like: the science of COVID-19, why hand-washing works, why social distancing works, Statistics 101 hosted by VP of Stats, Clinical Trials 101 hosted by the CMO. Virtual happy hours for those learning a language (i.e. must speak Spanish/Italian/French). Some of these could be open to employees + family members.

• Enlist Teachers: Depending on your market, some teachers are not working full days and kids are learning entirely online. Some companies have enlisted and compensated teachers to host courses for parents on how to home-school kids, the best ways to work with online learning platforms, etc.

• Fantasy Leagues: I’m in a Top Chef All-Stars Fantasy League, and it’s been fun to have a reason to tune into a show at a specific time (like the good old days!). You can also create a Watch Party on Facebook so that people can watch and make comments in real-time. Others are in Fantasy Stock Leagues (way more depressing). Have you heard of other leagues?

Food Fight

Some impressive entries (send me yours!). Last night’s winner is Chef Mark McClung!

Chef’s comments: “Chilean sea bass over an easy-to-prep bean stew. The kumquat happy face with fennel eyes to keep spirits high.”

A Little Levity

I’m fresh out of memes today so figured I’d offer a story from my home front. This conversation happened last night… I suspect this will become a regular tradition (much like the furious debate about whether to pre-rinse dishes before loading the dishwasher):

Jackie: 😕

Tod: What did I do now?

Jackie: I know you think I’m a germaphobe but...

Tod: No. I think you’re hypercritical and always looking for the next problem.

Jackie: I just need to stop saying what’s in my head.

Tod: Or you could change your perspective and learn to relax.

Jackie: Eh. That’s going to take a lot longer.

Tod: Fair.

Be well,

Jackie