How can we gain anything positive for the future from this emergency situation?

Never before in my career, and I don't think I'm alone in this , have I had to close boutiques, although until recently it seemed that 2020 would be our year.

For all colleagues who hold a similar position to mine, some things should now be a priority on a professional and human level.

First of all we have to take away the fear and pressure from our excellent store managers and their teams. We have to give our colleagues the confirmation that they are not alone with their emotions and worries.

Tell them they may not think about their budgets, targets and MBO's for a while, which at first seem to vanish into unreachable distance.

You may tell them that we are already planning for the time after the virus, how we can recover what we have lost and how we will deal with the considerable losses of the past and next weeks.

Be transparent and honest, then we can significantly strengthen the relationships with our employees during the crisis and for the time after the crisis, and thus at least interpersonally make something positive out of the crisis, which will help us to come back even stronger.

Last but not least I wish you all best health, great stamina and some good ideas for the time after the closings. Stay positive.