How the heck do we get out of this mess?

If you are worried sick about what the Coronavirus crisis is doing to your business, you are not alone. The question on all our lips is: how do we get out of this mess? One answer to that question is: by not being alone. It's times like this we need each other.

Today I watched around 20% of my life-savings wiped out. I could be bitter, but what good would that do. There are probably thousands of really hard working businessmen and women worse off. But who are they talking to? Who is helping to guide them? Who is keeping their spirits cheerful by reminding them that what goes down one day can so easily come back up. Even if it takes a year or two to do so.

There are several not very pleasant words to describe my day today. After a late supper I went for a stroll around the local pond, trying to get my mind clear about next steps. Ideas that the Chancellor might step in tomorrow with a magic wand had disappeared after the first twenty steps; really, the solution is down to me and my great team. And my 'colleagues', other people running SMEs, who I don't even know by name, but who I know have buckets full of wisdom and experience.

I started to wonder: is there an ad hoc group out there that could be formed of business people who don't quite know what to do next, who are brave enough to share their stories and be willing to share their advice and experience? For no commercial advantage. But because it is a wise thing to do. Co-operation at this time beats competition, hands down.

As I reminded the audience at a recent education conference in China, the way to make progress is to take it simply step by step. Perhaps the first step is to start talking to each other. Even virtually.

I'm willing to start, so if you are in the same boat and fancy just sharing your story, then message me. Share this article too if it appeals. Let's see what happens if we tackle this thing together, even though we don't really know each other. Who knows what could come of it.