How do we learn from Covid 19 and make changes that will improve our business future and healthy life style
Were you an unlucky one?
Let's start by commiserating with everyone of you affected by the Virus. It is an awful disease and particularly for the elderly. I may make light of a few observations however it is not a confront to you and yours for whom I feel deeply sorry.
The first Covid lesson
Being prepared for the unknown can make a difference to your future. Whilst the shopping cues were a feature the businesses that closed were a calamity.
Without government assistance many were forced into financial distress and struggled to meet their daily needs.
There were no backup plans just hope that the future was going to look after them.
Many remained out of business for a long period of time so what could they have done differently.
Creating an alternate direction
Those that quickly adapted won the war. The musical industry was closed for live performances and many sat at home whilst others went online. Teaching , training, even trading goods for the lock down living. Home learning became a new industry and those that had an understanding of the internet survived.
Travel agencies had no planes to book, no ships to charter so the future looked pretty bad. Some realised that travel was now local and that holiday resorts within a capture area were the new destination.
Much of the medical industry slowed as all attention was given to Covid situations. Doctors appointments were not made, Physios, chiros and health providers were left without a patient. However there were exceptions, those that quickly went to online appointments solved a large part of the problem again the internet was the answer.
Those businesses with office staff were forced to send them home and close the doors. Small local businesses and Multinationals were all the same, left with only one answer.
The home worker became a new normal
Many found that home workers were in fact more productive and a less costly solution.
Those working from home found new freedom and extra time without travel and work floor chatting providing more time in the day.
Those that were prepared adapted quickly whilst others struggled with technology and lost productivity because they were not ready.
Working from home full time and part time has become the new normal because their understanding of the internet made them ready.
Adapting to change proved a winner
We saw some restaurants quickly turn into takeaway meal outlets to keep the kitchens rolling whilst others turned the ovens off and waited for a return to a normal life . Quickly adapting provided a winning edge as news travelled about a new standard of service. The ready made meals for home delivery.
The ride share drivers that became delivery vehicles had a good time whilst others complained about a lost industry as no one moved around.
The city hotels that were suddenly without custom closed the doors and sent the staff home. Others churned through capital waiting for a new start and some became Quarantine stations paid for by the government. The smart ones survived because they acted early.
Every industry had a new direction
If you were not prepared this time take note of the best examples in your business line and learn the path so that next time you will make better choices.
They may only be small changes although at times radical new directions need to be employed.
The internet industry was behind most new paths so your enhanced understanding of the new world is necessary for you to survive. Understand a contactless environment and how you can take the best advantage of it going forward.
Don't wait for disaster, prepare for it
You will now have an understanding of the challengers your business faced and how it hurt you first time around. Don't let it happen again.
Practice and employ new ways and adapt them into your business so that you will be the first ones off the blocks in the future.
Remember the saying “there is only one chance to act early” so next time let it be you.
how do we learn from Covid 19 conclusion
Conclusion and recommendations
My day business was affected by a down turn in client numbers as the business doors closed however many returned over time to come back to normal.
I used the opportunity to change some of the things I was doing to better ways so next time it will not have the same impact. The opportunity to change will probably serve me better going forward so it is a positive gain.
Finally look at your business and see what changes can be made. Many found that staff levels could be lowered and trading terms tightened to achieve a better return on investment.
Set up your online activity to gather business with new marketing methods so you are not solely reliant on regular traffic.
Let the Covid Year teach us all to be better business people and not just a wasted time moaning about masks and hand washing.
How do we learn from Covid-19 and make changes by Peter Hanley
Make decisions for growth
