One of the challenges we had as an organization during the Covid shutdowns is the impact on our processes. In the office, we had our filing systems and processes readily available. Suddenly, our regular disciplines and routines met a significant distraction when we all began working remotely. It became harder to pass items to the next person in the process. ...
When there is pressure to generate cash, businesses can sometimes grab an expedient solution without enough consideration of long-term implications. For instance, the pandemic has created great pressure on many businesses to find ways to survive. Borrowing as much money as possible, or taking on an unrelated business service, are both possible solutions, but those solutions can have dramatic long-term ...
A recent article from the US Chamber of Commerce suggests, “Many businesses are asking for customers to help mitigate the cost of keeping their staff (and patrons) safe. Sometimes it’s in the form of a clearly stated COVID-19 surcharge, often between 3% and 5%, to cover the cost of things like masks and gloves.” No doubt the costs to reopen ...
The US Chamber of Commerce describes two major employee challenges for reopening business, “First, are your employees willing and available to come back? And secondly, are they able to follow the proper procedure to reopen safely?” Reopening a business presents employee challenges that may be difficult to navigate. Knowing how to reincorporate employees into the work environment can lead to ...
The choice to reopen business after being closed due to COVID-19 is a challenging decision. Knowing how and when to reopen is a daunting proposition to say the least. The US Chamber of Commerce suggests businesses, “open in phases.” They stated in a recent article that businesses should “assess your products and services to see what you can sell with ...
In our changing world, many cash-starved businesses are considering new business opportunities. There is a distinct difference between a pivot in your business and a shift in your mission. In the pursuit of cash, many will be tempted by a new product line or even a different business model. Although survival is critical, it’s just as important to be aware ...
2020 has been a year like none other. Business shutdowns, stay-at-home orders and race riots are just a few of the chaotic events that small business leaders have had to navigate. Disruption brings anxiety and uncertainty to our staff and to the leadership team of any organization. It’s during these unexpected times that people look to leadership for comfort, confidence ...
One of the hardest decisions an employer makes is eliminating a position or job. As a country, our small business leaders have made many hard decisions. The question is, “Did we learn anything?” This is a time to reflect on questions such as, “Did I wait too long and why?” “Did I make the decision in a vacuum or did ...
In this series, we’re discussing five steps to move from struggling to thriving in business. The final step is to Focus on Customers. Since the pandemic, several restaurants I’ve visited have taken their customer service to a whole new level. They realize their survival is hinged upon retaining and growing happy customers. When a business is struggling for survival, there ...
In my banking and consulting career, I helped many struggling companies become profitable. Many businesses have folded recently, and many more are doing all they can to survive. In this series, I will highlight five steps that can help your business get financially stable and move towards thriving. The first step is to Know the Condition of Your Flocks. You ...
Equipping Others to Do Work Differently
