Riding out the Uncertainty and Preparing for the Upside
As our world shifts, at least for the short term, business owners are asking what this means to them.
In the short term, I think it's a decline of revenue for almost everyone (unless you own a drive-through liquor store ??)
Not because things are fundamentally shifting but because there is mass uncertainty which causes people to shift into fear and hoard their $.
And as much as many of us want to bring the light to those people, we also need to recognize it as real. Real fear in our employees, clients, and potential clients. And in us.
So it's a time for more grace and compassion.
This temporary shift to isolation is also presenting opportunities for many of us.
This is the time to look at your skills and see where they match with needs that arose as a result of the pandemic - as a result of people needing to stay home and avoid physical contact.
Delivery services, virtual services, virtual gatherings will all be needed in the short term.
So if you have a skill or product that fits this - this is the time to shout it out to the world!
What this isn't - is time to market and sell to the fear. There are many people who feel like the world is ending and may be more susceptible to sales messages.
It is up to all of us to stay in integrity and not sell to that fear.
Sell to the value, to the vision, to the possibility, but not the fear.
One final point. I personally think that this is a short-term shift so I do not advise being reactive and creating long-term changes to your business model at this time (that you weren't already considering)
For example - for my business - helping experts create awesome online programs - things massively shifting to online would be a huge positive - and that's just not what I see happening in the long term.
Once physical isolation is over, we will be that much more excited to be around others and craving in-person touch and community.
I don't see the need for online programs declining or slowing, but rather it won't increase as a result of this. It will continue on its normal growth (which is already fast)
So yes, creating those online programs because they're the right fit for your business is a great thing to do, especially if you have some extra free time, but this shouldn't be seen as a rush to transition your business fully to online.
The best thing you can do in the short term - especially if you have less client work and more time on your hands is to create systems and processes that will allow you to scale your business fast on the other side of this.
I anticipate a fast crash and just as fast of an exit back to normal.
Will you and your business be ready for that?
You've got this!
Jane Sagalovich, CFA is a business strategist and scaling expert. She loves guiding experts who are ready to further their reach using their wisdom and expertise and design a life of abundance and freedom to create results-driven, profitable, and sustainable online programs using her proprietary Thriving Online Program Blueprint process which you can learn more about HERE
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