Buenos Dias! I trust that we all managed to make the most of Easter weekend in spite of being quarantined. Whether you physically went over to a family member’s (don’t worry I won’t tell anyone as long as you didn’t hug your parents and grandparents) or you did a video chat with your family, I found a community vibe was maintained in spite of the lingering circumstance known as COVID-19.
Speaking of which, it appears that we’re finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel as far as this crisis. The amount of cases and deaths in the US has been in a steady decline, stimulus checks have been handed out and there’s already talk of re-opening the whole country for business again. Last month I highlighted some keys points about what to do for your business and self during this crisis when it was in the beginning stages. God-willing now we’re getting towards the end of the Coronavirus Crisis, the next question is this: What Can Do You Right Before and When The Economy Opens Again? Keep reading below in hopes that these 3 thoughts will give you some ideas on what will help your business hit the ground running during this time.
1) Get your ducks in a row now. We may not necessarily be able to predict when and how gradual the US will be fully open for business. But we should deem it wise to prepare AS IF it’s going to be broken wide open. Do you have projects being worked on in your current queue? Wrap them up and have space in your timeline to take on more work now. Stay on top and ahead of the workflow. Reorganize your business processes and resources. With the extra time and space on our hands, there’s little excuse for not getting your ducks in a row (unless you’ve been staying productive with business during this time which is a blessing). The bottom line is to be ready for a high volume of work that could come so your bottom line will be well-profited.
2) Strategize how you will reach your target clients/customers. While I’m working on their websites and they ask for my opinion on the messages they’re trying to communicate, I usually reply with this piece of advice, “Mirror your customer’s experience. Put yourself in their shoes and try to think of what you would want to see if you were shopping on your site”. The same principle is true for such a time as this. Mirror what your clients are looking for. Their situation and circumstances have likely changed due to the overall economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis, so hear your client’s concerns and needs are and plan on how you will provide the solution for their needs within the principle of your business/product. Should you do targeted ads via Google, social media and website? Should you do more interactive medias for one on one contact (within social distancing perimeters? Media advertising via tv, radio, podcasting, etc? In the end, only you can decide what’s going to reach your target clients/customers so strategize wisely.
3) Promote upon VALUE. So many people have taken major hits to their incomes which equals their livelihoods. Business owners (especially small business owners) are itching to begin recovering losses and then some. And they’re looking to this as economically as possible because things are already tight. Therefore, promote your business or practice as being a winner in terms of value. In other words, keep your prices competitive and make that clear. You will win more clients early and often which in turn will mean more and better business for you in the long run. Remember, having your business around for a long time isn’t a sprint, its a marathon. Be in it to win at Mile 26.
HONORABLE MENTION) DO EVERYTHING WITH EXCELLENCE. Nothing more to be said. Remember, you want your product to live up to it’s marketing.
Alas, do you find yourself pondering more on what you should do with the remaining down time we might have? I can see the smoke coming from your ears as your brain has entered overdrive on how to ramp up your productivity. What kind of strategies will you implement to get your business flying again? Are you ready to get busy again? Get prepared. We may just be turning the corner. Don’t squander opportunity.