Times are tough. That is the unavoidable truth we all face right now. But in the same vein as “time heals all wounds,” things will eventually get back to normal and life will resume – albeit in a somewhat different landscape.
For small business owners, the COVID crisis has brought on many challenges with which to contend. However, there also is a need to address how to positon yourself so that you can hit the ground running once the current crisis subsides, not only to achieve growth in a post-crisis world but also placing yourself in a sustainable position should a new crisis arise. Here are a few tips that can help you thrive.
- Recognize How Life Will Change for Your Customers
COVID-19 will change many businesses’ and people’s lives for a significant period of time. As a business owner, you need to recognize how these changes will alter your customer’s needs, decisions and spending habits. Adapting new practices in the ways that service your customers – such as delivering more value and making it easier for them to do business with you – will be among the most critical keys to your post-crisis success. - Discover Ways to Set Yourself Apart
Now is a good time to assess the things your company does that helps it stand out from your competition. The most successful companies have a unique and valuable differentiation strategy that sets them apart. Whether it’s a value-added service plan, some form of loyalty program, or a unique service that no one else offers, having a unique differentiation that customers desire can go a long way in driving more business to your business. - Consider a Softer-Sell Approach for the Time Being
After endless weeks of bad news and continuous directives from public officials, the last thing consumers want now is another forceful voice shouting directives at them. People are weary. They’re exhausted. As such, the most effective approach in reaching a “Shell-shocked” public is with a soft, re-assuring voice. Remind customers that you are there for them and are taking the extra steps needed to help them as they return to their everyday lives. - Assess Whether Your Marketing Strategy is Still Properly Aligned
Like it or not, things are going to change in a post-COVID world. From how customers interact with your business to shifting values in the marketplace, the marketing methods and messaging that will elicit the best response need to shift in tandem. Simply assuming that “if it worked once, It will work again” will merely set the table for more hardship in an era where commerce and compassion need to come together. Instead, embrace the changes affecting your customers and set a course to meet them head on.
Preparing now for the better times ahead can be the deciding factor in whether your business leads or flounders in our post-crisis economy. As the old saying goes: Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail.