As small businesses around the world are experiencing the fallbacks of coronavirus, the Blended Sense team has been strategizing how to rise above, recover, and move forward appropriately. The game is forever changed for business everywhere, and we aim to be at the forefront of pioneering new processes that will guide the average small business owner onwards and upwards out of this economic slump.
We also want to take a moment here to say that it’s absolutely important that we don’t ignore what’s happening. For any given situation, one needs to process the failures that may arise and lend a helping hand to those who are affected. Of course don’t sit in the fail for too long, because it’s time to adapt for success. Are you ready?
If you’re a business owner of any kind, you’ll have had your share of setbacks on your entrepreneurial journey. When you think about it, small businesses owners often experience similar rises and falls of starting a business regardless of the world being in a pandemic. As you come face-to-face with failure, as most business owners do at various points of their careers, just know that you’re not alone. This is more than just a semi-comforting thought, this is a sign telling you that it’s time to start connecting with your peers.
Now is the time to really lean into each other. At a high level, each and every one of us is experiencing the cultural shift that’s taking place all around the world. In times where businesses have to pivot their strategies in order to keep pace with the current industry landscape, collaborations will be rewarded. Start to align yourself with brands, products, and services that share a similar set of values as you do. When you create lasting bonds like this, you’ll find that you’re able to reach new audiences as well as expand the horizons of your own offerings. Don’t be that brand that failed to adapt from “me” to “we” when it was needed the most.
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again… maintaining a growth mindset is key to running a successful business that can weather any storm. To give you a refresh, having a growth mindset means understanding that your abilities can be constantly developed. This viewpoint, in turn, supports a love for learning that is essential for success. Industry professionals who have adopted a growth mindset are inherently adaptable to change, and often thrive because of it. Don’t worry, this isn’t something you have to be born with - it’s simply a different perspective you can take on life.
When you open up your mind to new possibilities, this type of mindset is going to translate to your content. You’ll discover that the content you’re distributing is resonating with your audience in entirely new ways, and that they are engaging more than ever before. Take a note from these Austin-local startups (you might see a familiar name in there) who made quick changes to their day-to-day processes in order to create a “new normal” while the city is under a shelter-in-place order. Vinder is offering low-cost deliveries, PenPal Schools is hosting an educational virtual platform, and CodeLathe is diving into tech for the remote-work world. While we, Blended Sense, launched our Revival Kit: a budget friendly content kit package that was created to help business owners like you to connect, educate, and build your audience with both strategy and a team of creative professionals by your side.
When you actively utilize a growth mindset, your customers will thank you for adjusting to the current landscape so that their ever-changing needs are still being fulfilled. As a result, you’ll be gaining a brand loyal audience on top of a refreshed perspective on how to continue running your business. For now and in the future, each time you take a step in a new direction, ask yourself this: “What can I learn from this situation?” Whatever lessons you learn will help you with this next part….
When you’re at a point where you find yourself with limited resources - whether it’s budget, tools, team members, etc. - you’re going to need to get highly creative. In other words: pivot, don’t panic. There may come a time, the perfect example being in the middle of a pandemic, where you’re going to need to adjust your business model in order to continue forward. Though it can be scary to stray from those foundational business goals that you created from the start, it may be necessary in order to remain relevant. Hey, and it can always be temporary! Just make sure that you’re tapped into the market, anticipate your customer’s needs, and deliver.
Here are a few ways that you can get creative with limited resources:
✨ Repurpose & reuse your digital assets across a variety of platforms and watch their value increase over time. Remember - distribution is FREE. Apps such as Instagram, Tik Tok, and even Google search are seeing a surge in digital engagement over the past few weeks. Be a part of that growth.
✨ Brainstorm with your team on what each person’s sole focus will be, and ensure that each of you is supporting one main goal. Just because you may need to cut hours, doesn’t mean that you still can’t get sh*t done. Be smart, agile, and intentional with everyone’s time. Watch as your team’s productivity shoots through the roof with hyper-focused workflows.
✨ Utilize those connections we talked about. Your fellow small business peers are likely going through the same trials as you are at this point in time. Partner or trade with fellow business owners who offer a product/service that complements your own, host social media giveaways, go live and chat with your audiences. The possibilities are endless!
Finally, we’ll leave you with this…
“The happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything.”
The Blended Sense business model generates an ecosystem of local support that stimulates both the small business and the creative economy. We invite you to schedule a demo with us in order to learn more about our COVID-19 Revival Kit, and how we can help YOUR business grow!
