From my observation of businesses and their leaders, from a 30,000 ft. level, I see many leaders connecting the dots. Regardless of the type of business, the pandemic is influencing changes to occur.
The best leaders are demonstrating, empathy in all their actions because, “in the past few months, the entire world has had a near-death experience,” says Ken Dychtwald, of Age Wave. “We’re being forced to stop and think — I could die or someone I love could die. When those things happen, people think about what they will do differently.”
How are you going to manage your business through the perils of this evolving environment?
Create a plan
I suggest creating a plan. A plan forces you to think about the product or service your business offers. Consider what is involved in the sales/order capture, creation, and delivery! Then determine which touchpoints need to change to thrive in this COVID-19 environment.
Although the priority and sequence of changes will be different for each type of business. Having a plan will help to figure out what needs to change, why, how, and when. When your plan is documented, I encourage sharing it with others. Show your plan to a business coach, shareholders (including employees, customers, vendors, and other partners). Ask them for their “fresh eyes,” suggestions, comments, and changes.
Manage your time carefully
“The way people manage their time, through the pandemic, will separate many winners from losers,” says Clinical Psychologist and Time Management Expert, Dr. Carol Armstrong, (www.drcarolarmstrong.com). Dr. Armstrong says “underestimating the time for tasks is the number one mistake people make when trying to manage it. She suggests “whenever estimating the time it will take to do a task, multiply it by two.”
Travel
Every point-to-point trip does not have to be an agonizing decision. Whether by car, for a local meeting, or an overnight trip that you used to fly to. Fortunately, the stars have aligned between bandwidth and technology to make those decisions less painful. Zoom is the new meeting venue of choice!
Speaking of technology
Now is not the time to question the value of purchasing a new computer. It takes a fast, modern, well-running computer, with easy internet access, and plenty of storage to keep your business-head above water. And do not be intimidated by technology. If you do not know how to do something, there are always courses available online.
Safety should be a bragging point
Anything that can be done to ensure the safety of your employees, customers, and environment should be used as “bragging points.” Everyone wants to believe that others are looking out for their safety. So, brag about things like, you or others working from home, or how frequently office/customer equipment is disinfected.
Be sensitive to generational diversity
We live and work during a time that sees multiple competing generations in and outside the workplace. Remember, each generation has their own unique way of looking at things. And often what may work for Millennials will not work for Baby-boomers and vice versa.
Conclusion
So, even from 30,000 feet I can tell you that managing a business is tough. Remember, what it was like back-in-the-day when things were “normal.” I hope these suggestions help you sort out what is important for your business!
Images courtesy of Pixabay.com
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Alan Adler coaches individuals and successful high-performing business leaders to help accelerate their personal and professional growth. In addition to one-on-one coaching, Alan hosts noncompetitive, confidential, business-owner mentor advisory groups. Click here to schedule a meeting with him. As an entrepreneur, he has started three businesses, including his current, Alan Adler & Associates, LLC. His experience also includes working in marketing communication roles, (with senior management) at two of the largest corporations in the world. You can find his books, Getting the Fish to Swim to YOU & Keeping Them in YOUR Boat, and UpStream, on Amazon. Alan lives in Huntersville, NC with his wife Mindy. They have two grown children, two grandchildren, and a rescue dog named Bentley.
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