I am sure that just like many other business owners, you did not foresee a pandemic in the year 2020. Infact, you may never have imagined that there would be any pandemic in your lifetime. The pandemic that you knew of was what you saw on tv and block buster movies. None of what you watched ever crossed your mind that, one day, in your lifetime, you would ever live through it.
The covid-19 pandemic has affected our global ecomony in several ways. For instance , schools have closed and parents are forced to home school their children, most businesses have closed, some companies have laid off their workers and most people are faced with an uncertain future.
In the midst of all this uncertainty, what is your business continuity plan?
As a business owner, now would be the time not to panic but to sit down and strategise on how your business will continue after the pandemic. Here are a few pointers that will help you form a business continuity plan.
1. Have a winning attitude
You must have it in your mind that you will survive the pandemic and live to see the aftermath. You must see yourself in the future running a successful business. It doesn’t matter if you are closed right now or the sales are in the negative at this moment. Having this positive winning attitude helps you wake up each day with the determination to do what is expected of you. This attitude propels you forward in your mind and actions. It keeps you on the high to salvage your business no matter what. Right now, more than ever, you must have a solid mind frame.
2. Restructure your business model
If your business does not have an online presence, it is time to create one. If there is a lesson that business owners have learnt during this pandemic, it is the importance of having your business online. This way, you are able to serve a wider range of clients from anywhere in the world at any comfortable place that you are in. Take your time now and restructure your business model to fit an online profile. You can start by opening a business page in the popular social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram then start building your business from there.
3. Make a fresh strategic plan
One thing we can all agree on for sure is that, the pandemic has disrupted our business strategic plans. Most businesses have annual strategic plans, these are goals that have been written down on how they will be accomplished in a given financial year. Now, is the best time to restrategise and write out fresh strategic goals. If you did not have any strategic goals, you will need to write and plan on one right away. You can redefine your next six months, say from July to December and write down SMART, sales strategies that you will follow through.
4. Learn a new skill
Remember how much you fall short on bookkeeping? This is the perfect time to learn a new skill. That skill that you know you need in your business but you have never got round to learning. Perhaps, you need to learn how to make SMART sales strategies; maybe you need to learn how to market your business online. Perhaps it is a new baking recipe for your business. Whatever skill you know you need to learn, do it right now. When the pandemic is over you will simply apply it and move your business forward.
5. Network
If there is any pinch that we are feeling right now is the importance of people around us or the lack of them. In the wake of pandemic , we have had to social distance. This has made us realise the importance of people in our lives. It is the same in business. You need to network albeit online and find people with skills, knowledge and same interest as you that you can use and learn for your business. Follow these personalities on their online platforms, connect, network as much as you can. Build relationships that will became fundamental in your business journey.
You can add more to the list of things that you can do in order to make your business continuity plan. Remember there is life after the pandemic. In the meantime as you plan for your business don’t forget to follow the recommended guidelines to stay safe, protect yourself and your loved ones.
As part of having a business continuity plan, we have a Grow My Business Coaching Online Program that you can take advantage of during this lockdown.
Read more on it below.
Ayaka Management Consultancy 