Explaining the Wall Street meltdown

What communicators can do to calm fears, improve understanding and start a conversation about what happens next

Did you see it coming?

Even before the recent stock market crashes, before the Wall Street meltdown—and yes—even before Henry Paulson became a household name, anxious Americans knew something was amiss. Though no one could predict the economic earthquake of the past two weeks, many felt the rumbling below.

When the crisis hit, many of us worried about our financial security, starting with our jobs. Would our companies be forced to cut back? Were our jobs safe? Were our 401(k)s disappearing before our eyes?

The top organizations are defined by how they handle the bad times, not the good. And that’s why the communications profession has never been more important.

So here’s the question: Assuming you’re still at your cubicle, what are you doing to address the worst economic setback since the Great Depression?

In this first in a series of articles on Ragan.com, we’ll do our part to help. Today’s story will explain why communicators must meet the financial disaster head on and suggest some steps you should take to get people talking.