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In this collection of insights and ideas, learn about the strategies for managing and leading through the COVID-19 crisis. The insights will help you lead through and beyond the crisis, dealing with the immediate issues and looking toward the opportunities for recovery. Topics include leadership, cost optimization, virtual learning, talent management, career transition, sales effectiveness, rewards and benefits, and change management.

It is an unfortunate reality that in trying times some people will attempt to take advantage of situations for personal gain. Be alert to scams including (1) phishing emails that purport to provide help or solutions to the coronavirus/COVID-19 situation, but are actually intended to induce a click that leads to ransomware, (2) price gouging, and (3) fake charities.

In light of COVID-19 and state and local stay-at-home orders, many businesses have greatly increased the number of remote workers. Firsttime remote workers—and some seasoned remote workers—need to be aware of hidden pitfalls in the gadgets and apps they are using while working from home.

By governmental command or voluntary decision, businesses of all kinds have been altering or limiting operations or closing their doors entirely. Often the business decisions are made apart from any thought of the potential insurance implications. In particular, businesses with commercial property insurance policies may not have been considering whether business interruptions coverage would apply. There are steps that businesses can take now to best position themselves to preserve whatever coverage they have.

Relief was offered when the First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was passed. The Act provided $104 Billion to help fight COVID-19 and protect workers and families from the health and economic impact of the virus. Other relief and guidelines are highlighted in this infographic for employers facing tough decisions under the pandemic environment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant burdens for employers and employees alike. While some businesses struggle to survive, others are fortunate enough to be in a position to help employees as they face hardships created by the crisis. Many employers in the latter category are looking for ways to best help employees who are facing financial difficulties as a result of the pandemic. One possible approach for these employers is a disaster relief fund under Section 139 of the Internal Revenue Code.

The CARES Act is a $2.2 trillion fiscal policy response to help American citizens and businesses struggling with the severe impact from the coronavirus pandemic. The law created several important programs to help provide liquidity to small and midsize businesses to cover payroll or other business expenses. Each program carries its own set of restrictions based on employment size and other variables. The intention of the new law is to help businesses operating on Main Street, and in some cases that might include some family offices and their portfolio companies.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury released a set of frequently asked questions late on April 6, 2020, to clarify several issues with Paycheck Protection Program loans. These FAQs present the SBA’s interpretation of several provisions of the program, in some cases contradicting interpretations from banks, lawyers, and other advisors. A summary of some of the most important FAQs is provided, along with guidance as to what applicants should do if they had already applied before this guidance was issued.

The internet and mobile networks continue to hold up well in an unprecedented surge of people working, studying, and streaming from home. But amid the COVID-19 quarantine, there is increasing concern over how long the infrastructure undergirding the internet and mobile connectivity will hold up. As family offices around the world face the new reality and economic landscape of COVID-19, they must also consider how reliant they are on the current connectivity and think about contingency planning for the loss of connectivity.

The unprecedented speed, intensity, and uncertainty of COVID-19 has created a host of new and complex challenges for wealthy families that are playing out across both financial and family dynamics. There's no doubt it is a financial and business challenge, but it is also a very human one. To assist family office leaders and the families they support see and solve the issues in the most effective ways, a set of discussion questions are provided to help leaders prioritize and address both the financial and logistical considerations, as well as the very human ones.