Jun 24, 2020
Businesses all over the world have had to overcome adversity in the last few months with the coronavirus pandemic and national lockdowns and regulations greatly impacting their business. From supply and demand to the team having to work from home and customers unable to visit a brick and mortar place of work, managers have had to think on their feet and find creative solutions to manage their team remotely. Just as they achieved remote management, what we know is changing again. In the UK, most businesses have already or are now returning to work however teams will not be coming back the same as when they left Today, I want to share with you what managing your business might look like during the return to work phase.
Management and Organisation
Things won’t just go back to normal on their own – it is going to take excellent management and organisation in order to pick up your business post lockdown. Managers need to first communicate with the team on the return to work strategy, who will be expected to return and when, how can people raise queries of childcare and stagger their return and what will returning to work look like? Let your team know the changes you may have made such as to reinforce social distancing and what is required of them, if anything, to bring to work.
Managing Nerves
It is highly likely that your team will return to work with some concerns. Some people will have only left their houses for important reasons during lockdown and so people will react differently to the changes. Some may be happy to get out of the house and return to work where others may feel separation anxiety from their families and agoraphobia when it comes to getting out. Social distancing, according to many surveys, may also have created some social anxiety for people. Good management is management that takes the time to listen, be available to employees and acknowledge their concerns. Talking through how you will address, and mediate concerns will be key to inspiring confidence in the work team.
Sales Strategy
I have discussed many successful sales strategies with my clients over the years and nothing poses a challenge quite like a global pandemic. It’s important to expect some of your business to falter during this time, as clients and businesses will not return to work in the same shape they left, meaning you might be on the line when it comes to cutting costs.
The best advice I can give you is to have a follow up plan. First, see if you can negotiate a smaller package that meets their needs. Secondly, if not, leave on good terms and follow up with them every month or so while they rebuild, to let them know you’re thinking of them and are ready to pick up where you left off when they are ready. The best sales strategy to have when in a situation of constant change is adaptability. Repurposing your packages will give your business a new lease of life during a challenging time and, of course, your clients will remember how you treated them when they were most vulnerable.
With planning, adaptability, clear communication and a strategy, your business has every chance at surviving these unusual times.
Let us help you transition through this testing time.
Email: [email protected] now to arrange your complimentary FREE 30 minute Business Strategy Session, where we will help you identify at least 5 ways to solve your most painful problems & improve your business.