Pandemic Checklist: Part 3
This is the third in a series of email messages on managing your small business in the time of the pandemic. Today, we’re focusing on embracing a mindset that enables you to find breakthrough opportunities in a time of crisis.
Tip 7: Some Things Don’t Change
Pay close attention to what will stay the same. How can you meet ongoing needs in your industry?
Weather: depending where you are located, the weather will continue to be cold, hot, wet, or dry. In parts of the country, spring brings weather-related emergencies like storms, flooding, and tornadoes.
Appliances: AC/furnaces, hot water heaters, sinks and other plumbing will continue to malfunction and stop working altogether
Vehicles: Cars and trucks will continue to require maintenance
Food: People and their pets will continue to require access to food
Security: People will continue to protect their homes and their workplace
Health: People will continue to have healthcare needs outside the pandemic-related illness
Tip 8: Money, Money, Money
- If you’ve experienced a recession before, you know what to expect. It is a cycle.
- Now’s the time to buy: stocks, real estate, businesses
- Money is cheap now. Don’t wait to use other people’s money
Tip 9: Compassion
Your leverage is your team: are you helping them or hindering them? Be the voice of reason. Demonstrate:
- Empathy
- Patience
- Calmness
- Understanding the fundamentals of human psychology (fear, anger, shutdown)
Tip 10: Don’t Procrastinate
- Learn, plan, and act
- Procrastination comes from perfection and leads to regret
- Create a plan and set deadlines
- Turn lemons into lemonade
As I wrote in my first message in this pandemic checklist series, this is a chapter, and we’ll get through it. And, remember, the tips I’ve shared are only valuable when you act on them.
YOUR CHALLENGE: Accept and adjust to the new normal to be successful. Things are changing daily. We don’t have to like it, but we do have to be quick, be nimble, and be decisive in charting a new course.
If you would like to learn more about how this might apply to your business, let’s talk: