The COVID-19 pandemic brought about an unprecedented economic crisis that shocked the whole world. Not one company was immune to the sudden government restrictions that disrupted economic activity and employment for many.
Despite the devastating effects of the pandemic, however, history has shown that businesses can thrive in the midst of a recession. Take the example of Kellogg’s, which rose above the Great Depression by focusing its efforts on good advertising and investing in its workers.
The predictable approach would have been to cut down on overhead expenses, but Kellogg’s took a risk. That risk yielded them success and public recognition.
Running a startup in the middle of a pandemic poses its unique set of challenges, but keeping in step with trends allows small businesses to stay relevant and set themselves apart from the competition.
Stay Digitally Competitive
In today’s setting, a company that does not adapt to an increasingly digital world lags behind its competitors. Do not be one such company. Ramp up your online presence to help potential partners, clients, and customers find you.
Make your presence prominent.
First, review the content of your company website. Is your company information updated? Do prospective clients understand what your company does through its contents?
You must also pay attention to the design aspect of your website. Are the links working? Is it easy to navigate?
Employ the expertise of a web design and development agency to get the most out of your website. Take advantage of search engine optimization and advertising, too. A good website and efficient advertising practices put you on the map for potential clients who may not have heard of your company before.
Include social media as you build a digital presence, but do not spread yourself too thin. Set up company pages on platforms to easily reach more of your target partners and clients.
Connect with your customers.
You also need to be strategic in how you reach out to your customers. Tailor your social media ads to a specific market that you want to capture.
Begin with building your social media calendar according to the kind of content your customers prefer. Does your product or service apply to a younger or older demographic? Develop the tone and aesthetic of your social media posts according to the answer to the previous question.
Take advantage of the features of ad managers of various social media channels to reach different markets for each ad you post. Use eye-catching visuals and positive language for more effective marketing.
Consumers are more receptive to brands that empathize with what they are going through. Even as the world continues to move forward from the pandemic, empathy and personalization are important for your customers. Let them feel supported and prioritized by your business through your services but also your messaging.
Have a Diverse and Competent Talent Pool
Offices are not dependent on physical spaces and proximity anymore. The growing acceptance of remote work arrangements has widened the scope of talents that you can hire. Open applications to a larger pool of candidates to build a team with a diverse range of skills that they bring to the table.
A remote setup enables teams to have more flexibility regarding tasks and schedules. As many employees have already adjusted to working from home, the proper communication and task management tools will enable geographically separate teams to connect well.
Switch to the Latest Technologies
Using outdated digital technologies slows down operations and hampers the growth of your startup. In addition to communication and project management tools, use versatile cloud computing software that allows your team to collaborate on tasks remotely.
Assess the needs of your company by reviewing your processes and pointing out which aspects require streamlining. Today, many technologies in the market speed operations up, from logistics to customer service solutions.
Plan, but Be Realistic
While it is important to manage crises and handle what is in front of your team, you should also have a plan for when the pandemic ends. Your business should know how to function outside of crises. Draft a strategy that allows you to ease into a transition from crisis management to normal operations.
However, as you create these plans, it is important to be realistic in your expectations. Move according to what your budget allows for the time being. Shell out money cautiously today, and retain your bigger visions and plans to pursue for the future.
