Categories: OLD Media Moves

The end of bad news Fridays

A post on the Korn Ferry Institute website argues for the end of companies releasing bad news on Friday afternoons.

The story reads, “If ever there was a good time to announce layoffs, missed earnings, or other bad news, a summer Friday afternoon used to be it. The markets would be closed. Analysts and reporters would be checking out for the weekend. Few would be watching, and the news might be forgotten by Monday morning.

“Indeed, while a recent survey by Korn Ferry shows that 47 percent of executives still choose Friday to deliver bad news versus Monday through Thursday, it may no longer make a difference. In today’s 24/7 hyperconnected world, experts say the ‘when’ of things hardly matters — it’s the ‘how’ and ‘why’ that counts. CEOs and business leaders need to be authentic, transparent, and emotionally intelligent when communicating problems, says Kevin Cashman, senior client partner at Korn Ferry. ‘Instead of thinking of timing of a message, think about the depth and quality of the message itself and how it affects all stakeholders,’ he says.

“It comes down to context. If leaders explain the broader strategy behind an event and anticipate the emotional response—a skill known as resonant leadership—they’re bound to have greater success.”

Read more here.

Chris Roush

Chris Roush was the dean of the School of Communications at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. He was previously Walter E. Hussman Sr. Distinguished Professor in business journalism at UNC-Chapel Hill. He is a former business journalist for Bloomberg News, Businessweek, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Tampa Tribune and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. He is the author of the leading business reporting textbook "Show me the Money: Writing Business and Economics Stories for Mass Communication" and "Thinking Things Over," a biography of former Wall Street Journal editor Vermont Royster.

Recent Posts

Wired senior writer Meaker is departing

Morgan Meaker, a senior writer for Wired covering Europe, is leaving the publication after three…

9 hours ago

CNBC’s head of events departing after 28 years

Nick Dunn, who is currently head of CNBC Events as senior vice president and managing…

9 hours ago

WSJ taps Beaudette to oversee business, finance and economy

Wall Street Journal editor in chief Emma Tucker sent out the following on Friday: Dear…

18 hours ago

NY Times taps Searcey to cover wealth and power

New York Times metro editor Nestor Ramos sent out the following on Friday: We are delighted to…

20 hours ago

The evolution of the WSJ beyond finance

Rahat Kapur of Campaign looks at the evolution The Wall Street Journal. Kapur writes, "The transformation…

1 day ago

Silicon Valley Biz Journal seeks a reporter

This position will be Hybrid in the office/market 3 days per week, and those days…

1 day ago