3 Pandemic Practices Your Business Should Keep | Kasey Writes Day 10
May 21, 2021
Doing business during a pandemic was a new experience for most entrepreneurs in the workforce. Many were forced to learn brand new systems and technology to keep their business afloat. Now, as the world begins to return to pre-pandemic practices, it has become increasingly apparent that some of the methods developed during the days of home-based Coronavirus work should stick around for the benefit of businesses and their employees.
If the pandemic has proven anything to business owners, profitability and the ability to pivot are among the top factors for predicting their ability to face uncertainty. These three post-pandemic practices will positively impact your business's bottom line and should be retained even after you go back to the office.
1. Leverage Technology for Customer Service
In early 2020, many state governors asked that companies with the ability to work from home do so. In many cases, this resulted in increased reliance on Zoom or Microsoft Teams to communicate. While many found this transition to be stressful, others still found it incredibly lucrative and lean. The ability to leverage technology can lower overhead expenses by cutting down on payroll costs while putting assurance in a process instead of the uncertainty of a person.
An entrepreneur can change technology, apps, platforms, and software in an instant. If something doesn't work, they can change it. This pivot is much easier than teaching a new process to an employee. Depending on their skill set, their inability to pivot can jeopardize the efficiency and effectiveness of the business. Using technology whenever possible can be the go-to to ensure your customer's experience is easy and pleasant, and you don't have to worry about it calling in sick.
2. Enable Employee Independence
Employee independence starts when each team member has a clear understanding of the measurable goals in their department. Their assigned tasks must directly align with the outcome of their productivity for them to be empowered over their performance. When a business owner is confident in their employee's ability to perform in alignment with their goals, they will feel more assured to relinquish some control and enable employee independence. There is a direct correlation with profitability because when the owner is less involved in the operations and the responsibility falls to the employee, less overhead goes to fund the owner's time.
According to Newswise, 52% of Americans reported a strong interest in working from home permanently. With these staggering statistics, whether employees are working from a desk in their office or at their kitchen table, we must teach and lead them toward making the most of their independence and using it to our business's advantage. When we can quickly pivot how our employees work, we become nimble and have a higher chance of long-term employee retention and success.
3. Invest in Employee Accountability
Business owners put a great deal of effort and money into setting up the systems and processes for their employees to be effective, but they often miss the boat when it comes to the accountability piece. As an avid entrepreneur with experience in a wide variety of business industries, all too often, I see owners who lack an existing system for holding employees accountable. It doesn't require anything elaborate or complicated; in fact, it's the opposite—it's just clear, consistent communication. We put off having regular and sometimes difficult conversations with employees, but it's the very thing that allows our businesses to run smoothly and predictably.
When there is a transparent accountability system and communication in place, it allows a business to pivot quickly. When a business owner uses a tool like dashboards and project management programs to assess an employee's effectiveness, it becomes apparent when a current process does not work. Without accountability and the ability to pivot, a company takes on extra costs and puts its stability at risk.
As of 2020, business owners now have a new filter for which they view their business. They are more cautious and more in tune with the unknown. They have learned that their ability to be nimble and pivot is essential to ensure the profitability and sustainability of their business. Going back to the office can be an opportunity to use their new filter to their advantage. If brought back to the office, these post-pandemic practices can be an asset and ensure a long-standing chance for impact.
Next Steps
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- Want to learn more about the HHN and the foundational levels of your practice? Check out these blogs:
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