How To Adapt, Take Action and Persevere

Running a business is always challenging, and Covid-19 heightens that. It’s a constantly changing environment that calls for a lot of decision-making. Our team came together and found a way to continue to get the work done and take care of our people. Within four days of publishing our action plan, a stay-at-home order was instituted by our state. Most of us were already working from home, but for those that were not we had to change the plan over a weekend.

This constant change and uncertainty causes stress. This means we have to find a way to keep in communication with a dispersed staff. Our fabrication team isn’t necessarily savvy with things like Zoom; we use the old-fashioned phone call for some of our people. Several were scared, angry and confused. Management’s job is to listen and explain our changing plans. For our office staff, one manager implemented a daily video check in. It was more about staying in touch and bonding than plan explaining. Each department manager implemented what they thought was the best method for their staff.

Instead of a daily walk-through on the shop floor we now have them send daily progress photos for review. We’ve coordinated getting materials and tools to people’s homes.

Seeing things built in people’s garages, and office work being done from a kitchen table, reminds me of our start-up days. Back then we often didn’t have the tools or an inventory of materials to create. We shared things like markers and computers. Some materials were mixed in food cans and workbenches were improvised. My staff is doing the same now and finding a way to get er done.

I thought working from home might mean less interruptions and more opportunity to write or complete projects. That is not the case. There are still just as many meetings, and instead of walking in my office for a chat it’s a phone call. Leadership has to constantly evaluate the new government rules and regulations, make changes, and communicate that to everyone. Given this unexpected business, I wrote down my priorities to help me focus on the most important. Here’s what I wrote:

1.    Take care of my people and clients.

2.    Watch cash and expenses – long term planning.

3.    Find/plan for long-term sales.

Writing this down helped me to not be frustrated in not getting other things done. These were the most important; Being flexible and communicating is the best thing leadership can do. We’ve also been brainstorming on how to serve our clients in the year to come.

I am very proud of my team. We adapted quickly. There were bumps in the plans, but we modified and moved forward. Team members are helping each other to keep working. Some of us, including me, reduced hours or pay to have a safety net in case it’s needed months from now. During this tense time I am proud and grateful for my team.

Business is always challenging. Those that adapt, take action, and persevere are more likely to survive the long haul. We’ve succeeded for about 30 years and plan for 30 more and beyond.

What does daily life look like at your company?

“The most important task of an organization’s leader is to anticipate crises. Perhaps not avert it, but to anticipate it.” ~ Peter Drucker

I think he also said, “Leadership is a foul-weather job.”

“A bad worker blames his tools.” ~Unknown

“Even in the moments of highest happiness and deepest misery we need the artist.” ~Unknown