Every crisis has different levels of impact. Every industry will experience its effect differently. The entire world is being affected by a pandemic, and the consequences are evident, although not the same for everyone.
Some businesses have had to put everything on hold, others have been able to leverage remote work to continue their operations, and others have had the opportunity to reinvent their business model to stay relevant despite the circumstances. Regardless of the current state of your business, one thing is real; once quarantine is over, things will start to move, and we can expect to witness an economic recovery.
Being proactive in the face of change is always the right approach. If there's an economic recovery approaching, wouldn't you want to be prepared for it? Here are some tips.
During quarantine —or any other crisis— your operation might have changed slightly or significantly. Now is an excellent time to reevaluate your target audience and understand who you want to serve or who your ideal customer is. Refocus on your business model. Maybe you strayed from your original business idea to adapt to the crisis, or perhaps you stayed the same and identified new business opportunities. Self-reflection is necessary in times like this.
What do you want to achieve during this phase? Do you plan to take things slowly at first so you can transition back into the office? Are you interested in slowly gaining customers back? Make a plan for the next month, 60 and 90 days. Prioritize your actions and take things slow.
Promoting brand awareness is good exercise during this phase. Keep your identity very close and highlight it in a way that is attractive but authentic. The goal is to make people remember your business for what it is, not for what they think it might be.
Once you're back together, you must make time to discuss your current situation and your action plans. First, check on your team to see how they're doing and whether they are struggling, before jumping back into the swing of things. Providing that support will help everyone feel valued and work more comfortably. Also, make time to have a chat with your business partner. Exchanging ideas, feedback, and tips will help you set yourself up for success.