How to start, grow, and run a business during COVID-19: Part 2
In the short run, while attention can feel like a proxy for innovation, when it comes to actual commitments, most customers choose trust instead of commotion. ~ Seth Godin
Last week, in the first part of this series, we spoke about how to start a business. The next step is to focus on growth. But as much as you might want to race ahead on the road to recovery, the journey takes time.
Your little steps right now are going to grow into giant leaps later, but it won’t happen overnight. You have to take the long view with all of this to build the life you want. ~ Trent Hamm
So, instead of shouting for attention, it’s far more valuable for you to find a way to connect with your customers. And instead of worrying about how much you should charge, you should focus on how much you can give.
It’s far more productive to focus on stepwise progress for the smallest viable audience. It might not make headlines, but it’s far more likely to work and more rewarding in the long run. ~ Seth Godin
Even more important than connecting with customers is connecting with employees (or taking time for yourself, if you’re a solo entrepreneur). The more you can provide strong leadership, the more likely it is that your business will thrive.
If you have the attention of an audience, you’re a leader already. And great leaders plan, listen, observe, inspire, and then give direction. ~ Brian Clark
What does it take to bring out the best in others? First, you need to be the kind of leader who collaborates rather than one who just gives orders from above. Second, you need to know how to talk openly, especially when it comes to the challenges facing the world today.
Businesses looking to make an external social contribution should, paradoxically, look inside: improving workers’ job satisfaction could be the single most important thing they do. ~ McKinsey
So, if you run a business, now’s a great time to promote diversity, build talent, and empower staff. And even if you work alone, being the kind of person that others want to partner with (and buy from) is how you’ll succeed.
People will be remembered for how they act and treat others during this time. Individuals and organisations that get it right will have an advantage regardless of what the future holds. ~ McKinsey