In a perfect world, everything would always go according to plan and disaster would never strike. Unfortunately, things go wrong every day. In your professional life, how you respond to the minor setback and the major catastrophes can be a determining factor in your success. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to hone your crisis management skills.
When did you last update your business blog? How long has it been since you shared compelling content on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter which created a valuable dialog with your followers? If you find yourself letting social media and web content fall to the wayside as you work to navigate the new normal and what it means for your business, you’re not alone. Many entrepreneurs and small business owners are struggling to juggle everything they’re forced to handle right now. Still, a dearth of content can have far-reaching and detrimental implications for your venture.
On one hand, being self-employed during the current global crisis means, at the very least, you do not have to worry about being unexpectedly laid off, furloughed or fired. On the other hand, it means you may have less of a safety net. If you’ve been forced to downsize your staff simply to survive changes wrought by a pandemic, then you are also handling more tasks than you were a year ago.
Burnout may feel like a luxury you cannot afford to acknowledge, but it is real and can be very detrimental. Not just to your productivity, but your quality of life as a whole. As the world finds new ways to cope with new stressors, it is important for those who are self-employed to take a close look at how they can stave off the potential for burnout.
Funding is difficult to obtain, the world is in upheaval and nothing makes sense. On the surface, the middle of a global health crisis might feel like the absolute worst time to launch a startup. Scratch the surface, though, and you may be surprised by the number of compelling reasons for blazing your own path right now.
Entrepreneurs may be brilliant at their business, but don’t always have the skills to manage or supervise others effectively. Does your company have high turnover rates for employees? Do you have a tough time feeling like employees are trustworthy or engaged in the company vision? Are employees afraid to make mistakes rather than try new things? Maybe the problem isn’t with them. Perhaps it’s with your management team, or even with you, the owner.
After a few months of being closed down, many states are opening back up for business and public access, with others slated to follow. Your company might have stayed busy, had to alter your business model to fit stay-home requirements, offered limited services or, sadly could not stay open at all and need to reopen or reactivate. For tips in helping restart your business, check out advice in starting a new business. In all cases, effective business practices through the opening phases and afterward will be forever affected. Even without the Covid-19 or other economic crisis, now is a good time to freshen several aspects of your business marketing:
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