By Keri Tignini, Commercial Banking Market Leader
Crises, be they a global health emergency that shuts down economies, a natural disaster or something affecting just a single business, can catch small business owners off guard at any moment. In the face of uncertainty, employees and customers alike seek strong leadership. Looking at insights from experts and customers, as well as perspective of business owners, can provide a guide to standing up to these challenges and inspire communities both within and outside of a business. As someone who works with business owners every day, here are three strategies I’ve observed Arizona business owners employ to lead effectively during a time of crisis.
1. Communicate clearly.
The uncertainty of COVID-19 created more of a need than ever for transparency, as it helps provide reassurance and positions you as a leader. This makes open communication a strong initial step toward leading both employees and customers.
Experts at management consulting firm McKinsey recommend focusing your message on what people need most from you. For employees concerned about their jobs, this can mean starting with a facts-based approach: Share what you know, what you don’t know and the basics of your plan to address the current situation. It’s also about coupling positive news and feedback that helps create feelings of security and motivation with a clear logistical path forward.
2. Put People First.
Small Business owners have the potential to lead more than simply their employees; they are often seen as leaders of their customers and community, as well. My line of work lets me see many examples of how small businesses are the backbone of a thriving economy. This makes it critical that business owners approach leadership internally and externally with a focus on the people entrusting them to lead.
Businesses in Arizona have been hit hard by the pandemic. Despite the negative impacts on business owners’ bottom lines, we have seen countless examples of leaders coming together to provide food and resources to support one another and the communities in which they work. This type of ‘putting people first’ creates a bond in the community that far outlasts the crisis.
3. Source practical information.
Concrete, relevant information can go far in informing how leaders can and should address issues. However, as the pandemic has clearly shown, access to this type of information is harder to come by.
This makes it more critical than ever to put concerted effort into seeking trusted information sources, be they news organizations, government agencies or academic institutions. Beyond these, consider sources that have become newly available amid the pandemic. A number of corporate consulting firms (McKinsey, Deloitte and Boston Consulting Group, to name a few) have opened up COVID-19–specific hubs to help guide business owners. Membership-based professional groups like Business Advantage TV or trade organizations offer resources as well. It’s also key to pay particular attention to developments that could affect your business: the status of COVID-19 in your area, new rules and regulations and changes in consumer behavior.
Leadership and how to best approach it has a number of variables, but a good place to start is considering what’s best for your employees, customers and the wider community. Looking as much as possible beyond profit and leading with empathy can pay off in the long run via loyalty and positive perception.
For more information on how to approach the challenges of the current environment, please visit the Wells Fargo Small Business Resource Center.
займ онлайн на карту без отказа вебмани займонлайн займ наличнымизайм на кошелек займ на карточку онлайнзайм на карту 30000оформить онлайн займ на карту
You must be logged in to post a comment.