The recent COVID-19 pandemic has truly changed the World. Businesses are shut down, people are working from home where they can and most people are uncertain about what to do. The economic impact of social distancing will likely be huge. So what do you do as a business owner or manager? If you’re a glass is half full type of person you will recognize that you have been given a gift. The gift of time. Time to improve your business processes, time to train, time refine your marketing systems, time to get better. Smart businesses are investing in the future. In uncertain times, the best way to predict the future is to create it!
You have been given the gift of time, use it!
If you’re short on ideas of how best to use this gift of time, I’ve put together a list of some things that you can consider doing while you have time and capacity.
Re-Look at Your Marketing Funnel
When things begin to ramp up again, things are going to happen fast. The most nimble businesses we be able to best handle the surge of pent up demand. Consider looking at your lead capture, nurture and follow up systems so that you’re ready when business gets back on line. Brush off those email templates and make sure they are up to date, review your capture pages, landing pages and conversion forms. Make sure everything is current and ready.
Re-Focus Your CRM
When things get busy often training for Sales Reps lacks, data entry and upkeep degrades and you end up with a non-optimal CRM system. Now is the time to look at your selling system. Ensure contacts are current in your CRM, your selling process is defined and all your contacts are in the right stage of the opportunity cycle. Ready your CRM for the coming ramp up.
Train Your People
This is a great time to brush up on your skills. Time is a real blessing when it comes to being able to learn new skills. This will make you more efficient when things start to ramp up again.
Re-Brand/Refocus Your Website
Re-open those projects that have been “on the back burner” for months. Get your marketing message right and be prepared when businesses open again and the surge of business begins. You want to make sure your company gets its fair share of the coming ramp up.
Launch a New Product/Generate a New Revenue Stream
Revenue streams will be stressed in the months to come, so why not while you have time think about a new one! If you’ve always had an idea of offering a new product or service but never had the time or resources to launch, now is the time to build that new product line, service or revenue stream.
Focus on Value
Look at your product/service offerings. Can you streamline the process, offer it faster, better or with new add ons and features? How can you increase the value or make your process more efficient for the future.
Take it Online
Wherever you can take your business processes online. From order management to customer support, meetings, screen shares and demos. Anything you can put online maximizes social distancing. Plus, you’ll find it makes your business more efficient, saves travel expenses an limits the risk to your front line staff.
What Am I doing?
So far:
- I’ve made a whole bunch of efficiency changes to my CRM that helps me manage clients and automate follow up and support functions.
- I’m building a new business and revenue stream. Coming soon an online CRM training course for SuiteCRM!
- I’ve re-written and updated my support policy, contracts and support case collection system (it needed it!).
- I’ve learned a whole bunch of new coding tricks for WordPress.
- I’m writing this blog to keep in touch with my clients and hopefully communicate to some new ones.
This is only day 4!
If you need some guidance or help with your selling system or digital marketing, I’m happy to arrange a screen share meeting. I offer:
Plus, coming soon, SuiteCRM Online course for sales reps.
A Final Thought….
Throughout history adversity has always brought opportunity. Stay strong of mind and focus on what’s next.
