Getting Through Tough Times Together

By: Preston Junger (Hoboken, New Jersey resident), VP, Head of U.S. Operations, 7shifts. Ex-Apple, Yahoo!, IAC, Yelp Leader. Board Member, Mile Square Labs

Amidst the 'do-everything-from-home' world we now live in, my primary focuses are: 1.) juggling my family (being a teacher to 3 kids while also parenting them 24/7) and 2.) my full-time role as Head of U.S. Operations, supporting the leadership team at my company.

My wife and I still overwhelmed by the fact that we are now kindergarten, 4th grade and 6th grade teachers, trying our best to juggle spreadsheets and agendas and digital assignments (written in Spanish) to ensure our children are on track with their weekly schoolwork.

On top of that, as a member of the leadership team at 7shifts (restaurant labor management and scheduling software), our focus -- like so many other companies everywhere -- is keeping our employees safe and compliant with quarantine efforts, while ensuring our business can weather the global economic shit-storm caused by the negative impact that COVID19 is having on our business and on the restaurant industry at large.

I can only really summarize -- the juggling between work and family that so many of us face as reality, along with the uncertainty of when it will all "end" -- as exhausting, both mentally and physically.

While many of us are exhausted by 'all of this' that is our new way of living, I personally still feel an obligation to utilize my life experiences, successes, failures, mindset and operational approach from 15+ years at Apple, Yahoo!, IAC, Yelp as well as work I have done with 200+ int'l founders in the past 4+ years (mentor, advisor, consultant, EIR, advocate) to help struggling founders. Many seed to Series A companies are in a standstill, and operating with a deficit of useful resources.

As a commitment to providing my leveraged resources and expertise to founders, leaders and business owners, I will continue to get up early and stay up late in order to support the large number of individuals that need help by conducting Zoom, Hangout or Houseparty meetings.

I'd like to propose that if you're reading this and are able to help others in your industry, please make the time to do so. If we all go the extra mile, and do more to support the industries that we lead, we will get through this and be better for it.

Examples of some of the meetings I am conducting (along with the highlighted communication tools I am using) to support the world of technology startups, business owners and colleagues hoping to survive through this challenging time:

• WeWork Labs (Startup Group Webinars) (Zoom) - Conducting global Zoom webinars for 100+ WeWork Labs founders in France, Germany, Sweden, Singapore, China, North America on the topic "Getting Through Tough Times Together: Sales & Customer Success in the Downturn."
• Tech Industry Remote Socials (Zoom/Houseparty) - Conducting evening social events for tech leaders, sales people and others that focus on the restaurant and hospitality industry.
• Virtual 1:1 Coaching Sessions (Phone, Hangout, Zoom, Facetime) - Founders, business owners (primarily restaurant owners), investors and leaders are all looking for friendly, helpful people to talk to. These sessions are casual and often times just good chats for the soul
• Informal Colleague, Friends & Family Virtual Coffee Chats (Phone, LinkedIN, Zoom, Hangout) - The current state of affairs has led to layoffs, pay-cuts and a lot of uncertainty in terms of professional careers and the livelihood of so many. Having quick chats with people I know to see if there is any way I can help direct them or provide useful information
• Investors Seeking Industry Leader Insights Chats (Phone, Hangout) - I've spoken to a few financial connections I have that are (like so many investors) trying to determine how to a.) protect their current assets (portfolio companies) and b.) determine when it will be 'safe' to even consider deploying pent up capital or funds to new investment prospects.
• Hoboken Hospitality Alliance (HoHA) Support Groups - Zoom / Slack - Co-Founded and hosting weekly COVID-19 crisis Zoom calls including 20+ attendees (restauranteurs, tech leaders, hospitality experts and local citizens) all banding together to help support each other through the crisis. This is an initiative to give back to the community (Hoboken and greater NYC area) my family is a part of, while linking it to my professional chops.

If you have any other ways you're getting involved and helping and want to share, please drop a comment or send me a message. One of the few benefits of this crisis is the wonderful new connections we will all will have (albeit virtually through our technology devices). I truly believe that the companies and leaders will come out of the COVID-19 crisis by working others and rolling with the punches. Stay Strong.

-Preston Junger