With the longest government shutdown in U.S. history leaving many federal employees without a salary and a nationwide mess in its wake, now is a prime opportunity for all companies—large and small, public and private—to band together in the name of helping others, uniting toward a greater good.
But if you need an incentive, here it is: A 2017 study by public relations firm Cone Communications found that 78 percent of 1,000 U.S. citizens surveyed believe companies have an obligation to stand up for social justice issues, and 87 percent said they will purchase a product from a company that advocated for an issue they care about.
Amid the government shutdown, many companies across a wide range of industries already are leading by example—demonstrating...