In recent weeks, we have seen the significant socio-economic impact of the covid-19 on financial markets and commercial industries. This, in turn, affects many people, typically the least well-paid, the self-employed or working in casual environments in the gig economy, as well as the common man with little or nothing to feed on.
Some governments have announced economic measures to safeguard jobs and support the vulnerable communities, but there is a lack of clarity in many countries about how these measures would be implemented, how people would manage loss of income and looming hunger for the time being. Notably, with the expanding pace of the pandemic and a downturn in the global economy and business sphere, various brands are still creating meaningful avenues of exhibiting good values of social impact in the society.
Imperatively, businesses have been showing solidarity to protect staff, communities, neighborhood networks and customers, as well as keeping supply chains and logistics working. A logistics and transport firm like MAX is not lagging behind in socio-economic support to primary and secondary stakeholders. MAX, through its social media accounts, has been consistently sharing messages and contents on the hazards of the coronavirus, to ensure that people observe all the preventive protocols; this would keep the public safe, lessen the spread of the virus and foster well-being.
More so, the older citizens have been put in a tough position; braving the masses of people, sometimes having to beat crowds at grocery stores (and risk contracting the virus). In response, MAX provided a free delivery platform to verified older citizens who are aged 50 and above.
Nevertheless, a lot of businesses have been forced to halt their normal operations, and hence, shutter the income and financial capabilities of some of their workers. In re-purposing its production lines to join the fight against covid-19, MAX, being an integral part of the society, noted a key challenge in the current crisis — a peak in daily demand for basic consumables and supplies. Hence, in its true value of social impacts, the logistics company empowered more of its riders to deliver supplies to households and individuals in order to make more cash-flow during this period.
Recently, members of the communities have lauded MAX for its concerned path in supporting the public. In Akure, Ibadan and Lagos cities where MAX ply its business currently, the company, in partnership with the States’ Ministries of Transport, reached out to those in need within its target communities, by providing face masks, bags of rice, hand sanitizers to communities, motor packs and the Nigeria Police Force.
As much as the pandemic has become a threat to business continuity, more organizations and top individuals still need to develop thorough contingency plans to curb the spread of the virus and limit its impact on employees, consumers, and communities at large, by adequately helping them as much as possible.
Although the covid-19 crisis continues to increase in severity, it is inspiring to see the compelling ways various brands have been exhibiting social impact to those in need, leveraging its existing resources to make a difference.
