Difficulty In Tackling The Uncertainty Or Loss Of Jobs During The Pandemic: Read On…
Deepak Bhatt
Founder & CEO @ Global Management Consultancy, Podcast Host - #BusinessTalk | Business Consultant @ BW Businessworld, Editor-in-Chief, Global Technology Review | Alumnus @ IIM Calcutta, IIM Ahmedabad & Stanford GSB
The global lockdown that has followed the #COVID19 pandemic has left the world in a state of shock and confusion. Across the world, people are worried about their future. Many of them have been reeling under extremely stressful scenarios. While the global pandemic keeps us worried on the health front, the economic aftermath is making us worried about our jobs and businesses. Losing a job is a major setback and living under this fear will certainly do us no good.
This pandemic has created a ripple effect in the global economy and tremendous consequences are expected. Due to plummeting businesses, the financial market has been affected significantly. There has been a significant impact on start-ups, businesses, labourer's daily wage workers and migrant labourers. It is also affecting many vulnerable industries like hospitality, tourism, and manufacturing. The professionals who are on the front line like the doctors and surgeons are also struggling with their dilemmas and conflict of putting their families at risk.
Although we think our professions and jobs are a way of putting food on the table, it is much more than that. Below are some major reasons why it is important to have a work-life:
a) Our job influences our self-esteem, self-worth, and confidence. It influences our perception of self
b) Our work gives us means to fulfil our passion and dreams and gives meaning to life
c) It keeps us intellectually challenged and gives us the chance to network, interact and do teamwork
d) It provides a sense of discipline and structure
e) Jobs give us social and financial provide us with a sense of security
Among most people, the initial response to unemployment or loss of business was shock and denial. As they sit at home and do not have any work or profession to practice, they go into a state of denial, shock, disbelief. This has caused anxiety, insecurity, and panic among many unemployed people. But the situation can be eased using certain coping techniques. These techniques can help to ease stress and create constructive solutions to combat the emergency.
But there are some ways in which we can cope with these setbacks and the anxiety that follows. There are also certain measures we can take to ensure we create a constructive financial scenario. Following these steps might help in bringing some hope in these dark times.
Some Small Business Ideas That Will Help You Survive These Difficult Times
Unemployment or loss of business due to the lockdown might be difficult but you can find new ways to connect with your employers and customers. With the government also promoting schemes to make small business owners ‘Aatmanirbhar’, they are ready to pump business funds for entrepreneurs. Given this support, there are some small businesses that you could put in place during these times.
Here Are Some Small Business Or Startup Ideas During and After The Lockdown:
1) Become a Consultant – With businesses operating remotely, companies need to get expert guidance for transitioning to the digital medium. As a consultant, you can digitize processes and develop business strategies
2) Teach Online – Start teaching the students struggling with their studies during the lockdown. Teach them through online video sessions and webinars
3) Start Projects of Digital Marketing – As no one is working Offline, many businesses are reaching out to the target customers online. Post the lockdown, you can build up on the client base and start your digital marketing company
4) Start Freelancing – When it comes to tasks like translation, graphic designing, and content writing, freelancing is a great tool. There are websites like Upwork and Freelancer that give freelancing projects for any type of expertise.
5) Start YouTube Videos – As many people are stuck at home, there has been a spike in people who watch videos online. You can create YouTube videos on different topics like designing, food, dancing, gardening, or art & crafts. It is a small business idea that can create a good revenue stream for you
6) Start Blogging – You can express your ideas using tools like blogging websites and start your blogging page. This is a great revenue source and you can earn through affiliated ads later
7) Develop Website – It is a great idea to start a website to help home-based businesses or for bloggers and other such ventures. Website development is a great business idea that can be done as a freelancer. This way you can start your business and also help other small businesses flourish
How To Create Customer Satisfaction While Working Online
You can pick up one of these ideas and start the venture that you can build upon. To promote these ideas you can socialize with the customers using social media. Build connections with the clients and customers using these techniques. This will help you increase your social media presence and show your customers that you think about them.
Since your sales are not as high as they used to be, it is vital to offer something valuable to the customers. You can start blog pages with informative content and increase the online presence. This might also be of real value to your customers. You can pick trending topics that are logically connected to your product or service.
Search Engine Optimization is a great tool that can help you stay relevant and connected with your customers. The right type of blogs will help you stay relevant. The idea is to use the right keywords. You can also share information through live steaming and webinars. You can also share workshops and training videos through this medium.
You can also become part of local or online business communities during this time. This way you can network and communicate while also contributing to the social good. This will result in higher visibility for you or your business. You can’t develop a business in isolation and once the lockdown is over, there are high chances that your business will build up successfully. You can work with local charity groups or create a business model that contributes to society.
Even if your business model is well thought out still there are chances that you might fail. The times are uncertain and we never know what would work. So to ensure you stay secure, you should ensure you have a backup. Maintain a lean inventory and cut your liquid funds. Keep a small percentage of your revenue source as cash to support your business idea.
If you are planning to start something great, then it is important to market it well. You can refresh your website design and update it too. You can use all your small and limited resources to ensure you are noticed. This will also help to keep the employees busy and will make them think out of the box.
The uncertainty associated with this pandemic has affected us socially, economically, and psychologically. The COVID -19 pandemic has created what we can call as the Fear of the Unknown. This includes the fear of losing a job, starting a new venture, or closing down of an existing venture. The businesses, industries, and startups are dealing with losses due to the lockdown. This economic crisis will result in thousands of employees who will have to take salary cuts or lose their jobs.
While We Look For Another Job Or Another Business Idea, We Can Do The Below:
1) Do not take being fired personally as everyone around the world is facing the same situation. Even the most successful people have experienced setbacks in their jobs and careers.
2) Give yourself time to process and proceed. The setback of being unemployed will take some time to subside
3) Express and share your feelings with others to release your burden. This will help to form thoughts that are focused on solutions
4) Take care of yourself and after yourself and take charge of your lived on3s. Eat and sleep right, exercise, and look after your mental health.
5) Create new social contacts, increase communication, and networking. Take classes, training courses, and learn new skills.
6) Engage in purposeful activities like volunteering as it helps create empathy and negate depressive feelings.
7) Engage in spirituality and reflection and spirituality as they are important for psychological well-being and self-growth. This helps in coping and in avoiding negative thoughts.
8) Keep a check on the financial aspects in your life and generate options to plan, budget, invest and spend during these times.
9) Be grateful and focus on the present rather than worrying about the future. This helps us to be thankful for what we have
These are difficult times, but hopefully, we will come out of it victorious. We just need to keep a clear head and stay positive.
DMC, MICE , TMC , Luxury Tour Operator, Private Travel
4 年Deepak Bhatt (??????????????????????????????) : Good thought in penning down the most relevant thoughts and suggested approaches. Focusing attitude towards finding solutions to problems is very helpful.
Award winning #Communication Strategist. Harvard Business & IIM-A created case study on my work. CSR campaign nominated at Cannes. Ex- L&T/GMR/ Reliance Infra/Samsung.
4 年It's very informative and relevant in today's time Enjoyed reading this solution oriented article. I'm sure many people will find this useful and adopt some ideas suggested by you, incase they lose their job