Edelman Trust Barometer 2020 Spring Update report shows a remarkable shift of trust in governments with a rocket rise of 11 points since January, making governments the most trusted institution for the first time in their 20 years of study, amidst the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The Trust Barometer shows the average trust in four societal institutions: government, business, NGOs and media.

While business scored 62 points out of 100 and a four-point rise since January, a moment of reckoning arrives as the pandemic exposes’ areas of concern. People mostly do not believe that companies put people before profits, protect their employees sufficiently from COVID-19 or help their smaller suppliers and business customers stay afloat:

• Only 38 percent believe business is doing well or very well at putting people before profits

• Only 39 percent believe business is doing well or very well at protecting their employees' financial wellbeing and safeguarding their jobs

• Only 38 percent believe business is doing well or very well at helping their smaller suppliers and business customers stay in business by extending them credit or giving them more time to pay

Edelman Barometer advises that to increase trust, businesses should focus on solutions, not selling, with respondents calling on the private sector to collaborate with competitors, redefine their company’s purpose and goals around fighting the pandemic, and switching production of what they currently make to masks, respirators, and other items in short supply due to the crisis.

The report reveals that, despite the relative gain in numbers, businesses must work on their capacity to rebuild trust if they seek a sustainable growth. And companies that are putting purpose and value at the center of their decision-making processes will be the driving force here. In line with this perspective, Arçelik believes in being a purpose-led organisation and creating shared value by focusing on important global issues. Our aim is to be a reliable solution partner for consumers by working in this framework with the awareness that we have a social responsibility to the public. This approach means there is much to be done in the time of COVID-19 crisis by using our assets to help.

Our collaboration with two powerhouses of the Turkish defense industry for the mass production of mechanical ventilators sets one example. Within the scope of this collective effort led by the Turkish Ministry of Industry and Technology and the Turkish Ministry of Health, in just two weeks, we have managed to deliver the first batch of the ventilators to hospitals treating COVID-19 patients. We also have been sending these vital devices to the countries and regions that are in most need including Brazil, Chad, Nigeria, Niger, Azerbaijan, Libya, Uzbekistan, Somali, Dagestan and Syria.

With another global initiative, we provided white goods and small domestic appliances to over 500 hospitals in 19 countries with Beko’s “Best Team in the World” campaign to support the frontline healthcare community. Donations aim to help meet global medical and service practitioners as they work tirelessly on the frontline in the battle against COVID-19.

Prioritizing senior citizens for service and assembly in Turkey and picking up groceries for them is a response we quickly developed to meet the needs of our elders.  

With Let’s Stay at Home with Massimo Bottura, a campaign  launched  during COVID-19, we draw on the power of social  media and technology   to promote a sustainable lifestyle.   The   campaign provides practical   tips for people who stays   at home   during the pandemic.

As a company with sustainability at the heart of its business model, Arçelik believes that sustainability is a way of life and every action towards a sustainable future should be taken collectively to make a real impact. With this in mind, Arçelik supports purpose-oriented initiatives and

As a company with sustainability at the heart of its business model, Arçelik believes that sustainability is a way of life and every action towards a sustainable future should be taken collectively to make a real impact. With this in mind, Arçelik supports purpose-oriented initiatives and our commitment to partnerships for creating a shared value is once again manifested in our engagement with CSR Europe’s European Pact for Sustainable Industry campaign. This collaboration aims to send a clear message to policy makers in Brussels to take collective action for a Sustainable Europe by 2030.