COVID-19 brought many changes, some of them incredibly devastating. But, it also showed what it looks like when companies, individuals, and communities team up!
Ever since the instant spread of COVID-19 (or what seems like one!), we hear the bad news.
We hear statistics related to the number of infected or deceased. We listen to statistics about companies closing their doors. Statistics about people getting fired. Losing sleep. Trying to figure out the future.
While there's a lot of those bad things, we wanted to share with you a couple of good ones too. Why? Not to be pushy - to point out they are out there!
Silver linings brought to you by free initiatives, compassionate companies, and massive, open course bases. Read on!
There is nothing quite as powerful as a community. Humans want and crave social connections, and while that may be more challenging during these unusual times, it is no reason to run from our ability to create them online - especially if a community pulling together has an admirable goal!
Offline2On gathers 1500+ experts, ranging from developers to marketers, who can get you online and selling - fast. If you are a small business that was hit by a ban on closing retail locations (or you are a bar, restaurant, or another type of a small business that needs an online presence to sustain itself during the pandemic), this initiative has an answer. Set up your website quickly or optimize your current online operations, fulfillment, and shipping by signing up with Offline2On or KeepSmallStrong.
Advice is free, but it is nothing short of useful, insightful, and proof of those-who-can being there for those who, unfortunately, can't (right now).
Many companies decided to give back too!
Collective responsibility didn't bypass the most prominent players, nor it shied away from some smaller influencers. Every contribution is appreciated and valued, no matter how modest it seems from the outside.
While none of this will save the economy as a whole, it proves humanity is capable of collective effort and joint push-and-pulls. We hope the resolution of giving back will continue way beyond the time of crisis.
Here's our top pick of what companies across the globe, some of them our partners, are doing to soothe their customers and local communities.
Bonus: Zoom is giving K-12 schools its Videoconferencing Tools For Free.
Bonus: Alexander Wang is donating 20% of the net proceeds to the UN COVID-19 Fund.
In case you ever wanted those extra three hours back (you know, the ones you don't have to spend on commuting now) to invest them into your future by learning about economics, financial markets, coding, philosophy, or happiness... Now you can!
Bonus: LinkedIn too!
The point we are trying to make is that people are not focused only on themselves, on profit, on money, on more. Everybody, in their way, with their means, is trying to give back.
Oh, and did we mention there is less traffic, more time for self-reflection, and yeah, (supposedly) dolphins in the Venice canals.
No, things are not perfect. But yes, you have survived every bad day so far. You will survive this one too - and we hope our partners and us can assist in that process!
