It seems that we are finally getting through this pandemic and shutdown period. Things seem to be slowly re-opening. I see more people outside. There is talk about sports coming back and I FINALLY got a haircut! This has been an adjustment period for most of us and although things are not quite back to normal, there is a sense that things are trending that way. I am certainly looking forward to that! Now, it’s time to get back to basics.
Just a reminder, if you are looking for helpful tips, strategies, or help thriving as we get through the recovery, I encourage you to check out the Thrive Performance Group Virtual Lunch and Learn Series. There are a wide variety of topics and experts that are there to help.
Back to Basics
There is no doubt these last few weeks have been tough on your business. Even if you were an essential business, chances are you saw a decrease in revenue and profits. Productivity probably dropped as employees were juggling working from home, helping kids with schoolwork, and caring for friends and loved ones. As you try to rebuild, or at least accelerate through the second half of the year, it is a good time to review some of your fundamentals. Just like an athlete returning from the off-season who goes to training camp to get in “game shape”, your company and employees might need to get back in prime condition. Here are some things to think about when communicating with employees who are coming back to work.
Why
Why does your company exist? A company with a good “why” brings people together. When you understand your companies why, you can really focus on who your clients are. I know that sounds simple, but we are talking about getting back to basics. Often, in the heat of battle (or survival) people can often forget why they do what they do. The focus becomes surviving, which is inward, versus on helping clients and customers, which is outward. Your clients and customers want to know you are focused on them. Keeping your “why” front and center in your employee’s minds, will help them focus on growing your business and accelerate your recovery.
What
What do your clients need? This is different than what do you want to sell your clients and customers. You can have the best product or service in the world, but if there is not a need, you aren’t going to be very successful. Here it is important to understand what your clients need TODAY, which will keep the lights on in the short term, but also what do your clients need twelve or twenty-four months from now? How is the market going to change? How has it changed because of quarantine? To really understand what your clients and customers need, I recommend talking to them. Listen to them. Understand them. Then find a solution YOU can provide.
How
How will you deliver your products and services now? One thing that is certain, being stuck at home has changed the way people meet, shop, and buy goods. I personally think that virtual meetings and home delivery is where we were going in the future, but the pandemic had definitely accelerated the curve. We will NOT go back to business the way it was. Sure, we will start meeting in the office again, and will have events to go to, but things won’t fully go back to the way it was early this year. Traveling for business may be replaced with more virtual meetings and working from home will become more common. This is my prediction. How is this going to change how you satisfy your client’s needs?
This Month’s Challenge
As the economy starts to re-open, take some time to meet with your teams to get back to basics. Communicate the Why, What and How of your business. Help remind your employees (and customers) of these fundamentals and you should see a strong second half of the year.
You are not in this alone, we’re here to help. We can help you come up with strategies, execution, processes, tools, or whatever help you need, we’re here.
As always, if you need help, please contact us to learn how we can help!
I encourage you to check out the Thrive Performance Group and join the discussions Tuesday afternoons.