Do you have a post-COVID-19 reentry plan for your business? Restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic are being relaxed, and every business needs a reentry plan! You need a plan that accounts for the many changes in our business environment while anticipating even more changes in the way we operate going forward.
Last week we talked about building a reentry business plan beginning with a deep dive into your business environment. We need to understand what we know to be true, as well as what we anticipate may happen. We also talked about three important elements of your business reentry plan:
- Commit your business to God.
- Have a plan. And,
- Focus on the first things first.
This week let’s take a closer look at five specific actions that you, as the leader, can take to help ensure a smooth reentry for your business.
5 Leadership Reentry Actions
You have taken the first steps in building the reentry plan for your business. You have committed your business to God. You have developed a robust business plan, including plans for a variety of contingencies. And, you have prioritized your work so you can focus on doing only what is most important for the success of your business.
Great.
However, there is still a lot of work to be done to give you the best chance for a successful reentry. Here are five actions you need to take as we emerge from the pandemic restrictions.
1. Listen to Key Stakeholders
A cacophony of discordant news stories has created confusion, distrust, and bitterness among vast swaths of the population. Reach out to all your key stakeholders. Take time to really listen to employees, advisors, board members, and customers. Let them know you want them to share their questions and fears. A burden shared is a burden halved.
“a wise man will listen and increase his learning, and a discerning man will obtain guidance” (Proverbs 1:5).
2. Ensure Alignment
If ever there was a time to ensure that everyone was rowing in the same direction, this is it! Everyone from the newest to the most senior employee needs to know, understand, and, importantly, be in alignment with the plan going forward.
If you have a board of directors or outside advisors, they need to be aligned with your plan as well.
Finally, key customers need to know what they can expect from your business. This is no time to surprise customers with changes to your operating procedures. Let them know how you plan to manage the business relationship going forward. Even if it is business as usual, reassure them. Let them know how much you value their business and how you plan to care for them as customers!
“Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
3. Leverage Everyone’s Strengths
When times are good, and the business is profitable and growing, it is not unusual for businesses to get a bit lax with regards to personnel. We carry some folks who are not contributing at peak levels. We let them work in areas that are not good fits for their skill sets.
For a successful reentry, businesses need to leverage every employee’s strengths.
As we emerge from the recession caused by this pandemic, most businesses will find their resources constrained. Money is tight. Everyone needs to contribute at peak levels if the business is to thrive.
This is the time to make sure every employee is in a position that is a good fit for their strengths and skill sets. If you need to make changes to optimize performance, do it now!
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10).
4. Simplify Processes
To have a successful reentry, you need to be fast, fluid, and flexible. Complexity is the enemy of all three. If ever there was a time for your minimalist persona to emerge, this is it.
Simplify every existing process and procedure down to the most important core elements. Eliminate processes that add complexity but don’t add material value to your business.
When developing new initiatives, consider the impact of the initiative on the entire organization. Some initiatives may be “nice to haves” but come with capacity draining complexity.
“Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.” Ecclesiastes 4:6 (NIV).
5. Aim High
Now is the time to exceed customer expectations with high standards. Don’t be tempted to deliver “good enough” or just enough to get by. Businesses that commit to high standards and exceed customer expectations will differentiate themselves as we emerge from the pandemic restrictions.
Think about it, as you spend your hard-earned money, who are you most loyal to, someone who left you complaining wishing they had gone somewhere else, or with someone whose product or service met your every need?
“The diligent hand will rule, but laziness will lead to forced labor” (Proverbs 12:24).
Reentry Conclusion
There you have it, a reentry checklist, if you will, to guide you and your business into the post-pandemic environment. There are three major steps to the reentry plan.
Step 1: Analysis
Begin by understanding your current environment and anticipating how things will change.
Step 2: Establish a Foundation
Next, commit your business to God, build a business plan complete with contingencies, and then keep your focus on doing the most important work first!
Step 3: Take Action
Each of the five leadership actions is important for a successful reentry. Make sure you listen to and secure alignment with key stakeholders, leverage everyone’s strengths, simplify processes, and finally, deliver the best quality work you possibly can!
More Articles
I have written other articles on our long-range planning. You can find them by typing “long-run planning” in the search bar. Meanwhile, here are three of my favorites.
- #011: What is God’s Bigger Plan for You?
- #267: Is Planning Really All That Important in Life?
- #381: Do You Have a Business Reentry Plan?
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. What actions are you taking as a leader to ensure your business enjoys a smooth reentry?
I’d love your help. This blog is read primarily because of people like you who share it with friends. Would you be kind enough to share it by pressing the share button?
Category: Skills | Long-Run Planning
