Strength in trying Times

It's been a little over one month since the world of small business came to a screeching halt; and while the COVID-19 situation is definitely more impacting than anything we've ever seen before, it's not the first time small business has gone through difficult times. We've seen the rise and fall of the stock market; we've gone through tragedies such as 9/11 and the Boston Marathon Bombing; and we are now experiencing a worldwide pandemic. What, then, can be done to maintain small business strength during these hard times?

Below is a list of 5 insights to staying the course and succeeding with strength during unexpected difficult times for your small business.

1. Don't wait for the answer to become clear
As a small business owner or manager, you are well aware of the daily demands of your business. You are also aware that the clock never stops ticking for things that need to be done. Difficult times hold no exception to this understanding. Waiting for the answer of what you must do next simply wastes valuable time that could otherwise be used taking action. Whether it's holding meetings to determine marketing needs or developing an update social media campaign for a grand re-opening, there is always a way to use your time effectively. An added benefit to this is that action keeps the brain active, as well. Continue thinking about more pressing concerns while you're working on other projects, and you may be surprised with the results you can achieve

2. Evaluate what you are currently doing
This may seem like a no brainer; however, it's easy to get lost in the overload of a difficult situation and forget about the details that are meant to be supporting your business. Take the time to look at the details you may not be able to do during the usual, fast paced energy of your day-to-day operations. Maybe look into organizing files for better accountability of vendor and employee information; or bring in a trusted and fair contractor for overlooked repairs that could support the image of your business. Ultimately, you want to make sure that you are focusing on what will help define your success once the hardship passes. Look into what your competitors are (or aren't) doing and determine how you can do it better. Throughout this process, though, be sure to communicate what you are doing; otherwise, your missing the strength of community recognition.

3. Communicate with everyone about everything
​Your business is driven by the power of you, and that's worth broadcasting. Let people know that you are still active in providing top quality service, and explain how you're planing to do this. Use all the resources you have available such as email lists or social media platforms to explain to your customers that you're remodeling your retail location for a more streamlined and easier to navigate guest experience. Send out an email blast to inform clients or employees of the new Point of Sales system that will be implemented in the near future that will assist in expediting transactions for both sides of the experience. The more clearly and regularly you communicate with the people who support your business, the more likely they are to continue showing support. Remember, communication is one of the keys to being and remaining successful; and that doesn't stop simply because times have gotten a bit more difficult than usual.

4. Be creative with your next step
As the saying goes, "Desperate times call for desperate Measures". Let's change the wording on this just a little, "Unexpected obstacles call for us to be more Creative in our approach". The ultimate goal is to draw attention to your business so that you stand out while also maintaining the identifying factors that make your business unique to what you are doing. With the current unsure environment brought on by the Coronavirus, businesses are turning to the approach of providing services they would have never thought to otherwise offer. Restaurants have started offering a grocery approach by providing cleaning chemicals and toiletry items that are hard to find at regular grocery stores and supermarkets; local distilleries are using their resources to create and provide hand sanitizers at minimal cost markups to help their communities. Not every business is doing something as unexpected as these ideas; however, the ones that are will be the ones that consumers remember as the shadow of concern fades away and things start to become as they once were.

5. Don't ever give up
Hard times will either make you or break you; and the benefit of a difficult time is that every time you out last it you become stronger and stronger. You're ability to persevere will be seen as a testament to your business's ability to think critically through situations, especially if you focus on the previous 4 items in this list. Show your customers that you are the real deal and don't back down from an unexpected obstacle or two; and that no matter what, you will continue to fight to provide them with the quality of product and service they have come to expect from your business. While many of your competitors might not have the tenacity to find a way to come through the other side, you will show your supporters that your company is worth the effort to keep things going, and theirs value in not giving up on what you've worked so hard to achieve.

Things aren't always easy in the world of business, especially the world of small business. If you are able to implement the 5 insights when you encounter a difficult time, then you have set the base of your future success. Utilize your accessible resources, communicate regularly and effectively, and remember that it will be okay, no matter what.

Brandon has been focusing his attention on the world of small business since 2007, and admires the strength and dedication it takes for small business owners to mold and grow their dream into something they only ever imagined. The blogs provided on the EC Sales website are created from his personal experiences within the world of small business, and he shares them as a way of offering support and insight into what he thinks makes the best...the best