Hurricanes and Corporate Branding
By Lance Winslow
No businessman takes joy in making money on other people's misfortune such as a devastating hurricane during the 2005 Atlantic tropical hurricane season. However, a smart business or corporate image program which specializes in branding can actually make the most of it by putting their marketing efforts toward helping the local community that was devastated or destroyed by the damage.
Most corporations that help people and those companies who help the community in their time of need are not often forgotten. It is the right thing to do from a business standpoint and from a moral standpoint. It is a good time to build corporate brand and give a little back to the community that has supported you throughout the years.
In fact if you help them in their time of need they may just help you when the chips are down, when there is a market sector rotation in your industry or the economy is in a downturn. It is important to plan ahead for your business and the potential eventuality of a major category and catastrophic hurricane in your area.
By thinking ahead and understanding your supply chain and your ability as a large company to do the most for the common good you'll find yourself able to increase sales and help people, while still building your brandname. This is fair for all concerned and build long-term brand loyalty. Please consider this in 2006 and do the right thing.