1. If you haven't yet authored a plan, do it now. I'm partial to a google doc as you WILL update this frequently. Keep it simple. Here's our table of contents:
- Overview (goals)
- What we know
- Prevention and treatment
- Contingency plan (Phase 0, Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3)
- Overview (goals)
- What we know
- Prevention and treatment
- Contingency plan (Phase 0, Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3)
2. So what goes into the plan? Clearly defined phases & associated actions. A phase is based on a trigger, such as the # of local cases, fatality rate, etc. Phase 0 = low threat, but the actions might include things like encouraging WFH if coughing. Or taking laptops home.
3. Each & every time you update the plan, make sure this is very clear at the top of the document ("Last updated: MM DD YY") - Given the speed at which a city or region might make a decision, it's impt for your team to know what is fresh info. Also email team any changes.
4. We wrote our plan & then realized that there needed to be a parallel document for our operations team to ensure coordination. Let's say your contingency plan ups environmental cleaning. You need a place for the team responsible for that to see the latest & check it off.
5. Now you have a plan + an internal plan. You thought you were relatively low risk. High five! But a lot can happen over a weekend. Like finding out how few people were tested, or that you live near a hotspot. And so all of your assumptions for Phase 0 went out the door.
6. As a business owner or CEO, you will want to make sure you are on top of local, state, federal and WHO guidance. It will be conflicting. You will need to make decisions regarding the level of risk you will take. This is done on a daily basis. Update plan & share.
7. If you are just getting started on your plan, I'm hopeful that you recognize that by risk, I mean not just for your talent, but their families & the community. Actions might seem severe, but it's not about any single one of us. It's about all of us.
8. As of this weekend, I also realized that there might be decisions that have nothing to do with our talent or business, but that will have an effect. Our building or a subway line could be shut down out of an abundance of caution. So you revisit your Phase 0 requests.
9. As the situation changes, so will your team's needs. New Yorkers were pretty rattled this morning. So your plan and communications should remind people to take care of themselves. Keep an eye out for each other. Offer support. h/t @wilbanks
10. Your team is going to have questions, and some might feel awkward to ask in person. We created an anonymous google form to ask questions about our plan at any time. HIGHLY recommend.
11. Never assume anything about your team. There will be some who really *need* to WFH out of an abundance of caution. And those for whom WFH presents serious challenges.
12. Read and sift. It's hard to cut through the clutter, but as with any research effort, always make sure to find the source material and compare. If you are just getting started, we drafted this rolling reading list: luminary-labs.com/insight/covid-…
13. You might realize that the triggers to advance phases were wrong (e.g., number of cases is meaningless if there's no testing). Or that you were unrealistic abt a phase's actions. That's ok. Update the plan & be transparent w/ your team on the decisions and how they are made.
