T here have been a lot of discussions about what the “new normal” will look like in our world after COVID-19, but there is not much consensus. Politicians, the general public, business owners, medical professionals, and others disagree as to what the next steps should be. But one thing is very clear, business owners cannot wait for the world to go back to “normal.” If you want your business to survive the turmoil of the pandemic, you need to create your own new normal. o paraphrase Napoleon Hill: In every adversity, there is a seed of opportunity. We just need to look for, or create, the opportunities. So what can you do to develop a strategic plan to improve your business in the next two quarters? Start by grabbing a piece of paper and a pen and assessing the impact the quarantine (and business restrictions) has had on your company. What impacted your business and why? Write down the good, the bad, and the ugly. Now, write down how you responded to those challenges. Be honest here. The goal is to identify which factors were economic, which were environmental, and which came from fear or misjudgment. Next, write down what you would do differently. What are the lessons you have learned? What do you wish you had done more effectively? If your business found itself in a similar situation again, would you be able to weather that storm? If not, you need to tweak your plan or look for outside counsel.
It’s clear business owners must take a serious look at the worst-case scenarios and create viable plans for surviving tough times.
You may find your new opportunities by evaluating how businesses that thrived during the pandemic adapted to the changes. Did they offer a new product or service? Did their marketing strategy change in any way? Did they narrow their offerings or focus on one specific area of the business? Did they expand these areas of service or product lines? How can you apply similar strategies to grow your business? Creating a “new” normal for your business may require several changes or be as simple as adjusting day-to-day operations to meet new health and safety standards. Or you may have to rethink your entire business model. If you are not certain what strategies to pursue, find out what people really need right now. How can your business fill those needs? Then start developing a plan! And go after it! As you adapt to a new normal, you may face the realization that your big business dream is no longer attainable at the moment. You may have to pivot several times to stay relevant to serve the needs of your ever-changing market or customer. Flexibility is the true secret to success. Whether we like it or not, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world as we knew it. Clinging to the past and demanding we go back to the way things were prior to March 2020 is not a viable option. So if you aren’t willing to be flexible, your business might not last to see another year. More importantly, don’t wait around and allow someone else to define YOUR new normal. Take action today and determine what you can do to make your business stronger in the long term. If you are not certain what steps to take, seek outside guidance. There are many organizations like ours that are available to help you navigate these challenges, so don’t believe you have to do it alone. The most successful businesses all seek outside help. So reach out!
DLJ Wealth Services, LLC is a registered investment advisor. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial advisor and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.
Advisory services are provided by DLJ Wealth Services, LLC. DLJ Wealth Services, LLC is a registered investment advisor. Tax advice is provided through DLJ Tax Services, LLC, a separate legal entity, but both companies are owned by Deb Matz.
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