Too often as business owners we get caught up in the day-to-day and can lose sight of our business goals. The basic reason why we started a business in the first place. What was our passion? What was the direction we wanted to take? Where did we want to be in five years?
Recently, when I spoke at a conference for #SoloCEO and entrepreneur like leaders, with business life coach Gail Golden taking the stage. Her message for self care is often heard and the advice for Business Self Care is priceless.
What resonated with the audience, and with me, was the Business Self Care tip. “Take two days during the year and dedicate them to your business.”
A year ago this felt impossible. 48-hours away from everything email, voicemail, design, and website SEO, to “think about” my business?
Thanks to covid- we all have a little extra time on our hands!
That means get away from your office, step away from the brand, and take time to dedicate two days to thinking about your business.
How’s Business? It’s A Little Slow. What Decision Makers Are Talking About Self Care for Their Business.
Covid-19 Innovation
Take a pause, because after all things are slow, and let’s take quick review of your business. This includes turning on your out of the office notice. Because you’re dedicating yourself to growth.
COVID-19 has caused somewhat of a “forced get away” for business owners. We might work from home, or still go into the empty office. But no matter where we work in this New Way of Doing Business (and after you have already told customers about HOW you can still do business) . . . . days are slow.
Consistently from clients I speak with, owner to owner tell me the same thing: “Customers are saving their pennies,” new ideas and strategies are all put on hold.
How do you keep your business alive during times like these?
Use this rare allotment of time for your “business self care.” It not about you. It’s self care for your brand. Your brand that you have taken the time to nurture and grow this far.
Innovate.
Think.
Change.
It’s time to think about business.
On a recent social distancing weekend get away with the family, I took the time for Business Self Care. While my darling daughter didn’t catch anything, she did keep trying. She kept re-casting and trying new bait. It was innovation happening right in front of me. Thinking about the problem. And trying to change. She is a Little Genius i would say
Business Self Care: Innovate
Do you know why you’ve suddenly seen a spike in advertising for face masks? Because people are innovating their business. Change is happening at a rapid pace.
Stay at home moms are using their sewing talents to make masks and sell online. Sometimes it’s just on their Facebook page to friends.
Business Self Care: Think
Other companies had to quickly reinvent themselves, like trade show management firms who used to build giant displays for conference center shows. In our event management experience we have witnessed these brands like Nimlock who have completely seen business tank in 2020.
So when all the contracts canceled for trade show displays, owners had to think about their re-brand. How to survive and use the products or production for something different. These companies quickly pivoted to “making plastic barriers” for the office space. Partners like Nimlock were quick to produce new office environments.
From Starbucks to shared workspaces, plastic dividers are all the rage. Now when employees are ready to go back to the office, they have the various tools that they need to help stay safe. Including plastic partitions, privacy windows, and other new ways that business owners have had to think about when getting back to the office.
Business Self Care: Change
When your business is a service, and not a product, these covid-19 times can be a little more challenging. When you sell ideas, the buyers aren’t available for appointments and things can slow down sometimes to a dead stop.
This is the time to re-invest in yourself. Think of a change, small yet intentional.
We’re going to list a couple of questions that we’ve been chatting about with clients and how to think about when it comes to business self care to innovate, think and change the new way of doing business. Rethinking the strategy is what we do.
Let’s get started.
Couple of Questions for Business Self Care: to help you Spend Time with Your business
In a new Covid world, at least for the next two years or so, what services can I offer to clients that they need?
Is there something that I can take online, including things like the tools are used to offer customers in person.
It’s time to add that you new idea as a page on your website, and offer your services online as a consultation package, documents for sale, and other tools that you find yourself or clients in need of.
Top 5 Things business owners are thinking about to improve, innovate and keep their business moving forward
1 Don’t stop advertising
In traditional Joanne Klee Marketing style, we take about what NOT to do. As business owners we get loads of what TO DO advice. But there are some always DON’T DOs too.
Cost versus Benefit::
The various movements in the industry are opening the doors for small businesses to have a chance to advertise affordably during daytime hours. PPC and Google ads is seeing a spike in small business advertisements. Your niche is very possibly open and available at a lower rate. Yes Facebook is showing more ads because large advertisers have temporarily pulled out of the ad game. That leave more room at a competitive rate for your brand!
2. Let the Internet work for you 24/7.
Stay Alive Online. Keep yourself online, and keep yourself relevant. Continuing to advertise allows you to appear in search results when customers are starting to look back for the services that you offer.
3. More About Budget
Finances. Where can I cut costs in my business? Where can I invest?
Yes spending money now is a good thing because prices are low and you can negotiate contracts aggressively. Banks are lending at a significantly lower rate. So if you have the capital now maybe the time, before the regulations get tighter as the covid-crisis continues.
4. Digital Tools for Business
A little management support for decision makers:: As the every day decision maker what can you do to make the day-to-day life of your business run a little smoother? Maybe it is time to look at how you can automate some services? Get your forms online. Set up an online appointment calendar… add a service page to your website. Or refresh that website!
Is it time to invest in customer relationship management? Send a “thinking of you during these times” merchandise. Let customers know you are open for business. Is it time to set up for an automated answering service?
*Again the cost of these things may be significantly lower because business is slow for many agencies. Set up costs may be significantly lower.
5. Re-Dedicate Your Time Slots
Business growth. What are things that irritate you about your business? What are things that you can do better or more time efficient? Are you investing enough time with your family? Are you spending enough time on the business? Now the ultimate question, do you feel balanced.
Obviously there’s no such thing as balance. We constantly shift gears from one business finance decision thing to another marketing strategy. But maybe now is the time to think about how you pivot from business to personal.
At my house we’ve gotten away for a few short socially distanced VRBO weekends fun trips with the family, Because of the new way of doing business, I make sure that I’m not checking email until Sunday night and really dedicated to family time.
Sometimes it’s just the way we think about dedicating our time that is the biggest burden as a decision maker and entrepreneur.
Some Popular Business Self Care Options
Innovate Your Brand
Organize client information, get marketing for a new product or service.
Think About Ways to Stay Organized
Review your online advertising, web page and other digital tools to help streamline your business.
Change The Way You Dedicate Time
Lets book clients, and share your available hours. Its the new way of doing business. Need to reschedule appointments, no problem.
Let’s Review Business Self Care to Fit Your Business
Do I need online forms?
Can customer find me online?
When is the last time I had a marketing assessment?
Is my website design current?
Can I rebrand or try new marketing for my services?
Call Joanne, she can help!
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