Is outside-the-box thinking enough?

Virtually all business owners have faced disruption during this crisis. I have been giving a lot of thought to changing how I look at situations and how it can help my business and yours.

I wrote about this topic in my column published last August titled, The Importance of Outside the Box Thinking. And, while the topic is still relevant, I believe we need to do more than this. We need to change our perspective to help ourselves and our businesses!

 

 

 

What the experts suggest we change

Listen to understand

Business Psychologist Tim Hoiseth believes that, “productivity almost always suffers in times of great change, because our stress dramatically increases due to the universal fear of the unknown. In these times, communication becomes more important than ever.” Tim suggests that the biggest problem is that we listen to reply rather than to understand.

In my listening skills course, I teach how to overcome this difficult problem. After all, our brains are multi-tasking, so it requires a mindful effort. Changing, enables you to hear things you never heard before. You are also showing respect for the person who is talking with you. And that, makes them feel important! Think about what a difference this could make with your customers and employees.

 

 

 

 

Perform acts of generosity

Simon Sineck of the Civic & Social Organization believes, “the most impactful thing we can do for ourselves and others is to perform acts of generosity.” We can guess what it does for others. Sineck goes on to point out that, “acts of generosity, without any expectation of payback, releases oxytocin. This is the chemical in our bodies that make us feel good.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make a phone call

Call every current and former customer/client/patient, you can. Also call employees and suppliers. Ask them how they and their family are doing. Do not use this as a sales call. Do not text or email this. Talking with them, hearing their voice and them hearing yours, is key. You may also call people you have not spoken with in a long time. The value of having people know you care enough to call, is remarkable. To both you and the person you call!

 

Some additional changes to make

Pay attention

Recent disruptions have caused a dramatic shift in buyer behaviors. What are your surging or falling product categories?

Rise above the “noise”

Differentiation from your competitors is vital if you want your business to be noticed.

Secure and maintain customer loyalty

Innovations

Pay attention to the new technologies or product innovations among startups in eCommerce, competition, and the agencies that work with them.

Social Media

Consider the agenda behind posts on social media BEFORE you comment. You don’t want to give an impression that you will be sorry for later.

Demonstrate positive behaviors

Character and responsibility are positive behaviors. Being fearful is negative.

 

Remember that life is a journey, not a destination!

 

 

 

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Images courtesy of Pixabay.com

 

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Alan Adler is an executive coach, business consultant, and speaker. He specializes in helping people start a business, improve an existing business, advance in their current job, or discover new opportunities. Alan has worked for both large and small businesses. As an entrepreneur, he has founded and grown three businesses, including his current,  Alan Adler & Associates, LLC.

You can find his books, Getting the Fish to Swim to YOU & Keeping Them in YOUR Boat, and UpStream, on Amazon.com. 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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