Though it is impossible to predict when your business will be affected by a natural disaster, health crisis or an unstable economy, crisis management and planning can help you stay grounded and #WeatherTheStorms ahead.
Consider using downtime to create a strong plan for your business. As you navigate your new normal, plan each day to think, brainstorm and collaborate with trusted advisors and business partners who can help you strategically think-through disaster planning, employee relations and more. Consider alternate outcomes in your plans, a plan “B” and “C” for example, when the future is not clear. Having at minimum a top-level backup plan is crucial in strategic planning without a crystal ball.
Plan ahead
Here is the short answer – you can’t possibly plan for the unknown. However, there are steps you can take to best prepare your business. During a crisis, it is easy to panic, feel afraid and cut yourself off from the world but times like these call for leadersand innovators to guide their organization through whatever happens.
Check out these articles and resources for strategically planning for a crisis.
- A Coronavirus Strategic Plan—5 Ways To Make It Happen In A Business
- Prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies
- Business Continuity Plan
- A tornado destroyed my business. Now what?
After a crisis or natural disaster, consumers become more guarded with spending money and spending it wisely. During uncertain times, consumers are extra cautious and often turn to BBB to search for businesses they can trust. Become BBB accredited today and be prepared for whatever storms hit our marketplace. Click here to learn more about BBB Accreditation
Pivot your marketing plan
When the economy suffers from an emergency, inevitably businesses can be affected by the stalling marketplace. It can be difficult to piece together and rethink how to market you business during a time when all businesses are struggling to engage with consumers.
Consider reading through some of the ideas and resources below to help you pivot your marketing strategy.
- What Pivoting is, When to Pivot, and How to Pivot Effectively
- 6 Steps to Pivot Your Business In A New Direction
- 5 Key Strategies to Successfully Pivot Your Startup
- Severe Weather Safety Social Media Toolkit
Though it might not feel like it, a crisis, disaster or economic shift is the best time to be innovative and try new things for your business. If it doesn’t work, you can continue to evolve and try new strategies until you find something that works for you and your team.
Innovation is so important for businesses, follow the links below to get inspired about what other businesses are doing to keep the momentum going.
- The 10 most innovative enterprise companies of 2020
- Back to Business: 3 Innovative Business Trends for 2020
- How To Drive Innovation In 2020
For more resources and ideas for your business, follow us @BBBCentralOK (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Google My Business) for new tips and more. Look for #WeatherTheStorms.