January 16, 2023
This is one of the hardest times almost all businesses will face in their lifetime. However, done right, it could also be one of the most rewarding as well. After all, behind every crisis lies ample opportunity – and Covid-19 is a crisis like none we’ve faced before.
The outbreak of this vicious virus has caused the devastation that would be expected from a pandemic, but it has also produced a lot of unforeseen outcomes. It has seen communities come together and support each other in beautiful ways; something that your company or organization can be a valuable part of. It has also seen people spending much more time with their loved ones and on screens as the world entered a lockdown, changing the digital landscape and the way we forge digital connections.
There will be no ‘winners’ from this dreadful pandemic, but I believe that companies can come out of it stronger, using a combination of clever crisis management, heartfelt empathy, and a deep understanding of the ‘new normal’ that people are facing.
Here’s what can be done to tackle the crisis.
1. Protect and inform your team.
For any business, the team is as valuable as the customers are. Your team should be the most important thing to you right now. They are the people who will get you through these turbulent times. Protect them as much as you possibly can, allowing them to work from home or providing the necessary safety equipment when remote working is not possible.
Furloughs may be an option for businesses to minimize the losses, but don’t be the reason to grab away bread from the mouth of your team. Try to compensate with a “Common Minimum Program”. Make sure the employees are paid sufficiently to manage their living amid the pandemic.
This level of financial support is a luxury that many smaller businesses simply do not have. However, go as far as you can to look after your team. One of the scariest things about the Covid-19 outbreak has been the uncertainty that hangs in the air, so be sure to also provide regular updates with exactly what the company is doing to manage the crisis and how this will affect employees. Create an internal document or page that people can come to for Coronavirus company policies and information, and make sure to keep it regularly updated.
2. Create a Backup Plan to run business amidst pandemic.
Businesses can’t be kept close for a long time just because of a global pandemic that’s turning out to be more dangerous day by day. A business not only makes profits but it also feeds the employees’ families and helps to participate in the country’s long run – to be precise business earns taxes for the country.
So the focus from your customers and potential new clients should never be withdrawn. As people spend an increasing amount of time stuck inside, the global population turns to the internet for the majority of their entertainment, meaning that with a solid communication strategy you can boost your exposure and gain the attention of potential new clients.
Here, the quality of your content makes a larger impact. Great content is an important asset. It has the ability to create a positive experience for your potential customers and compel them to come back for more. It’s your ticket to capturing your audience’s attention and continually reinforcing a positive brand impression. You will definitely need to adapt your content to be sensitive to the current situation, but make sure you don’t lose your brand in the process.
This is important – Whatever role you take whether in content creation or marketing, be very careful to avoid spreading misinformation – crises are unfortunately a perfect breeding ground for fake news, and this is something you definitely don’t want to be associated with.
3. Be creative and Innovate your business operations.
“Necessity is the mother of invention.” When the need for something becomes essential, you are forced to find ways of getting or achieving it.
A situation like the Covid-19 outbreaks severely disrupts businesses, and so a large part of crisis management for companies is innovation and creativity.
I agree that the comfort and types of equipment an office infrastructure has cannot be created in the work from home facilities. But still, make sure that the team has the minimum required amenities to perform their duties and tasks.
Chances are that the business operations or the quality would hamper a bit due to the lack of availability of proper resources but don’t stop giving what you have to your customers. Even if your offering is less than or different to your usual, your customers will remember that you went the extra mile to provide for them in the darkest hour. People are increasingly grateful towards brands that continue delivering on their promises as much as they can, obviously while ensuring that they are keeping their staff safe.
4. Lastly, Do your bit to help Everyone get through this.
Every individual has something to offer to the improvement of society. Social responsibility empowers businesses and employees to leverage the corporate resources at their disposal to do good.
Whatever business you are in, there will be something you can do to help your community – you just have to find what it is and make sure you share it, so that everyone is aware of the help you are offering and how to access it.
At my company, we’ve distributed food items and groceries to the unskilled laborers who were stuck at one place due to lockdown and have no jobs in their hands. We at AMS have donated cash money to the NGO’s who’ve been working for the upliftment of the urban poor and the Corona warriors(medical staff and the cleanliness staff).
Things will change for sure… Those old days will be back – Maybe be with some more improvisations. Till then buckle up and don’t give up.
Stay safe and focused!
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