Pandemic Leadership Lessons as a Mid-Size Company in India

As a Founder & Director of a mid-size employability solutions brand AFMOI in India, the last nine months have given extraordinary experiences in managing and sailing through various aspects of the business.

I am sharing a few insights based on my experience, as a leadership & strategy consultant & life co-creator for the benefit of other leaders across the globe.

Employee Engagement :

1) Try to communicate the purpose.

2) Educate the difference between a leader in an established large organization vs MSME from the personal risk point of view to keep the engine running so employees understand the nuances and take enhanced responsibility.

3) As much as possible don't relate individual performances to cost rationalization in the communication if the role is directly driven by the market. But communicate it as a "Floating survival strategy" as a team.

Costing & Pricing:

4) Work with the client to re-negotiate on pricing if that has an impact on winning or losing it to a competition of the same league. (Note - All are not a competition of our league). Understand the relevance and difference between 10 or 8 or Zero (0).

Technology :

5) Relying on technology as a replacement in certain areas is a risk, where direct people's involvement and judgment is involved in decision making. Compliment the technology and the risk gap areas with the additional process so the gap is nullified.

Right Sales & Client Acquisition :

6) Re-look definition of right clients, prospects from working capital elasticity point of view. Maybe the right client of normal times may not be the right for pandemic times. Sensitize the BD/Sales team accordingly.

7) Tick all the boxes in Sales Process:

In the thirst for business, we may be tempted to get involved in the clients or business without ticking certain critical process checkboxes. Please ensure all boxes are ticked. This shall ensure collections and working capital process delays.

8) Don't leave any stone unturned:

Even if it is a missed call on a weekend or a small networking opportunity or a doubtful idea please try it out. We really don't know what might do wonders.

9) Leaders to focus on personal branding:

Please capitalize on all the opportunities to focus on personal branding which shall enhance company branding and its services.

10) It's time to increase the funnel through hard work.

A normal market sales funnel & pandemic market sales funnel is completely different. The crux is to increase the base with more time and efforts, more reach through various platforms. Hard work with smart research is better than smart work with smart research.

To know more visit www.afmoi.in or www.prabhuswaminathan.in

To interact and get the time slots for leadership co-creation sessions please do visit

https://www.afmoi.in/VSOLU

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