How Business Leaders are Handling COVID-19 Disruptions

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep families homebound and non-essential businesses shut down, business leaders have been forced to make some tough decisions. We polled business leaders from across the U.S. to find out what measures they’re taking and how they’re feeling about the future.

At SoapBoxSample, we’ve been conducting research aimed at understanding American’s attitudes, perceptions and awareness of COVID-19, throughout every phase of the pandemic.

We recently surveyed 201 business leaders (including owners, managers, and sole proprietors), April 2 – 3, 2020, to learn how COVID-19 has or will affect their businesses. Among key findings, 80% of respondents said they had to make changes to the salary, employment status or daily operations of their business due to COVID-19. Among those who said they had to make changes, 52% noted that the most affected change was to their daily operations. Emotions expressed in the survey ranged from fear to anger to hope.

“Depending on how long the pandemic lasts, it could destroy our business in totality.”

“Until the restrictions are lifted, I can’t open the business again. The business had only been in operation for 6 months when the virus started, so it will be difficult to start up again. Lack of funds will be the biggest difficulty.”

However, not everyone had such a grim view. Some business owners are looking at it from a positive perspective, and some noted their opportunity to capitalize on this unique moment in history and strategize for the long term.

“I am a motion graphic artist so I believe the affects will be positive. More companies now will see the value in having their operations be more virtual and my skill set will help with that.”

“In the long term, my company will be larger. I am buying distressed businesses and will profit from many aspects of the crisis.”

A subsequent SoapBoxSample poll fielded April 2 – 3, 2020, measured Americans’ perceptions of when the world would “get back to normal” after COVID-19. Among 409 US residents, 59% said between 1-6 months, while 19% think it will be a year or more. Some of those surveyed expressed more uplifting sentiments about the future.

“I think once everything is contained we can go back to normal and this experience overall will make us all more aware and will have a positive impact in the sense that we will all be more careful.”

“We, as a nation, will overcome this, just as we did other catastrophes, such as 9/11.”

To learn more and read other research in our COVID-19 series, visit https://www.soapboxsample.com/blog/.

US Residents’ Reactions to Government Response and Financial Implications to COVID-19

SoapBoxSample Releases Data on US Residents’ Reactions to Government Response and Financial Implications to COVID-19

Research study reveals an overwhelming number of Americans have financial fears as a result of COVID-19.

March 18 , 2020, Los Angeles, CA — Research firm SoapBoxSample announced today, the release of the second part of their ongoing series of polls on COVID-19. As families across the US are in the midst of self-isolation, at home quarantine, remote education and employment, SoapBoxSample launched a comprehensive research initiative designed to monitor public sentiment in the wake of the life-threatening Coronavirus.

The second survey focused on the government’s response and reaction and the financial implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Results from this survey revealed that just over half (51%) of Americans are somewhat or very satisfied with the government’s response to the Coronavirus outbreak.  Over the coming weeks SoapBox will continue to measure changes in public sentiment and understanding, and make the data publicly available. The goal of this initiative is to promote awareness of the virus, thereby enabling the public to make responsible and informed decisions.

“Information is changing daily,” said Jacqueline Rosales, COO of SoapBoxSample and icanmakeitbetter. “We know our staff, clients, friends and family have many concerns from health to financial impacts. Our goal is to continue providing insight on the thoughts of the American public in order to be a small part to help identify and eliminate the knowledge gaps that could potentially lead to unintentional spread of the virus.”

The second in a series SoapBoxSample’s polls on COVID-19, this study was conducted March 16 – 17 with 401 US residents (yielding a 95% confidence level, +\-5% margin of error).   This wave focused on Government and Finances.  Overall, the government was found to be doing a good job (rating of 4 or 5) as it relates to providing information in a timely manner (49% rating of 4 or 5), stressing the serious nature of this outbreak (49% rating of 4 or 5) and communicating ot the public (47%).  However, the largest segment of respondents rated the government a 1 or 2 (needs improvement) when it comes to factors related to the emotional effecs of the outbreak with 49% stating the government needs improvement in helping people feel calm and preventing public panic.

When asked about the financial impact of the pandemic, nearly all respondents (93%) are aware of the impact Coronavirus has had on the world’s financial markets.  An overhwhelming 64% either have lost money or are worried about the amount of money they’re losing in the market plunge.

As the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, the American public will be exposed to a myriad of news reports. Taking the pulse of the American public to understand what information they are retaining, and whether that information is accurate, is crucial to the US containment strategy. SoapBoxSample seeks to assist with keeping the public safe and informed, by providing this data to the public at no cost.

Parts 3 and 4 will follow in the coming days. To receive ongoing information and stats, please follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.

For more information about icanmakeitbetter and Customer Boardroom, visit icanmakeitbetter.com.