Every business has faced a unique and unprecedented series of challenges in the last few years; there will be more issues still to come. Here are some of the most pressing.
We All Need To Stay Flexible
Identify opportunities to stay flexible in the months ahead. Commit to remote working if you do not need office space. Offer employees the choice to work from home to improve satisfaction and minimize risk. Create alternate and back-up plans for major commitments. Allow time in your calendars for disruption. Improve communication with suppliers to stay up to date with any shortage issues. Remember those weather events and pandemic spikes may cause disruption with little warning. The COVID-19 crisis has forced many businesses to adapt quickly. It’s important to keep in mind that there will always be unexpected disruptions in our lives. Businesses should plan for these disruptions and make sure everyone knows how to respond when things go wrong.
Security Is A Major Issue
Talk to a cybersecurity expert about where your business may be vulnerable. Look at the news reports about the rise in cybercrime to see if your company could be affected. Educate your employees about the security measures that they should be taking. Instruct everyone to use two-factor authentication and password generators. Upgrade to new software and update regularly.
Customer Satisfaction Is Crucial
Create a dedicated customer service and satisfaction position if you do not have one. Make it easy for customers and clients to contact you with any queries. Set a target for response times to these queries. Prioritize prompt shipping and delivery. Find a courier service that offers overnight delivery in your area. Check that they have a good reputation and can guarantee delivery times. Watch your social media channels for any interaction, good or bad. Customer Service is important. It is the first point of contact between a business and its customers. The best way to ensure that customers are happy is to make sure that they know how to get hold of you. You should set up a system where customers can easily contact you through email, phone, chat, or even text message. This will help you to keep track of all interactions and provide a record of who contacted you when.
Online Competition Is Fierce
Redesign your website to reflect your skills, expertise, and company ethos. Install an AI chatbot that will engage visitors on arrival and keep them on page for longer. Create content for your website that is SEO-driven. Check the latest Google updates for guidance on new requirements such as spam filters and user experience. Employ a social media officer to manage your social channels. Work on a brand personality that will appeal to your target audience. Look for emerging trends and talking points that you can engage with.
Employee Health Is A Priority
Create clear channels where employees can raise concerns and health issues. Stay up to date with emerging issues. Allow flexible working hours to allow employees to attend to personal issues. Encourage employees to keep strict working hours to avoid the common burnout issue. Find out what you can provide for employee mental health support. Offer regular updates on how your company is dealing with the latest COVID-19 news. Encourage employees to take advantage of health perks in their work packages. Employees also need to feel safe when raising concerns about their health. They should know that they will not face any repercussions if they speak up. Companies should create clear channels where employees can report health issues. This includes providing information on how to access confidential counselling services. It’s important to stay up to date with emerging health issues.
