The context of COVID-19 marked a year of significant changes. The restriction of face to face interaction contributed to a critical change in consumer’s viewing and spending behaviours and digital acceleration have taken place at a quicker rate than ever before.
After all the uncertainty, it is the high time to reflect on the lessons you have gained from this year and use them to your advantage for the upcoming year. Here are five strategies you can apply to prepare your business for 2021.
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Get out of your comfort zone and try something new.
In 2020, the pandemic changed the prospect of routines that had succeeded in the past. Compliance to health and safety protocols has become the new normal, and everyone has been pushed out of their comfort zone. This has led small business owners around the world to become more innovative and creative in their way of doing business.
The new normal has led business owners to explore new ways of doing business that would help them beyond the pandemic scenario. While you may get used to and attest to the effectiveness of your old strategies, times are always evolving, and avoid establishing a “new” habit. Instead, keep pursuing fresh ideas, doing new strategies, and innovate ways you can do business.
Trying something new may be out of your comfort zone but you can start small. Either you can alter your system in your business or offer something new to your customers. To identify what change your business makes, conduct a survey, try a new program or software, and learn from the latest trends you can adapt to your business for the long term.
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Increase your online presence.
Your business’ online presence has always been important but with the impact of COVID-19, an online presence is a necessity. A mobile-friendly website will give your customers access to your products or services, anytime and anywhere.
An online presence can tap new potential clients that you were not able to reach with your old marketing setup. Connect with your existing customers and use the online platform to know how you can better serve them.
An online presence does not end with marketing and selling. You can migrate some of your offline activities online. Expand your customer service online, update your database, and increase online collaboration with your employees online.
It will save you money and make your brand more accessible. The possibilities are endless with maximizing your online presence.
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Make the customers the center of your business universe.
Your customers remain the key to your business’ success and it is true regardless of the global situation — with a pandemic or without. Take the opportunity to get your customers more. The information you will get you can use to improve your product and services.
What information do you want to get? Know your customers’ demographics and feedback on your products and services. Apply proven methods like segmentation and behavioural analysis to yield better outcomes from the data gathered.
Reach out to your customers and do not be afraid to ask help from them, after all, they are the market you want to impress.
You can also tap new customer segments. For example, Millennials currently have the biggest spending power but it is predicted that Gen Z’s will take over by 2030. As you prepare your business for 2021 and beyond, you can include these details in formulating your marketing strategies and business development.
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Plan for uncertainty.
Everyone was unprepared when the pandemic COVID-19 hit the world and became a global crisis. With the latest technology, who would have thought the world would be in a halt by a virus. But COVID-19 did and many businesses struggled with some businesses even shutting down.
One of the lessons that taught everyone this year is to plan for uncertainty. Set a budget for health and safety precautions in your plan. Include a plan for restrictions and limitations if a similar scenario like COVID-19 hits again.
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Get a virtual assistant and create a remote team.
One of the impacts of COVID-19 is the restriction of person to person interaction for safety precautions. This limitation opened boundless opportunities for almost everything digital. One of which is getting support from a virtual assistant to help your way through the “new” normal.
How can a virtual assistant help you prepare your business for the coming year? For one, virtual assistants marketing, specifically digital marketing. Virtual assistants, or VAs, have extensive experience in digital marketing since it is one of the most in-demand functions today.
Virtual assistants are not limited to digital marketing. VAs can research and gather data of your customers, attend and connect to your customers, bookkeeping and accounting, and assist you with planning and organizing your business.
VAs are not only efficient, hiring one can help you cut cost in operations. Besides, they are flexible in terms of working commitment, they can work hourly, per project, or most businesses prefer long term. On top of those benefits, you are working with experts on a fraction of the cost.
With the new strain of COVID-19 spreading around the globe, the “new normal” might stick around longer. Creating a remote team is the most practical decision you can make for your team.
It has been a tough year for everyone but some businesses can cope with the impacts of COVID-19. And those who survive and thrive in the sea of tides are the one who embraces change and quickly adapts to it.
To get you motivated even more for the coming year, VALUE Virtual Assistants are ready to help you with anything — from email management, digital marketing, accounting, and more.
If you are ready to start afresh, connect with us!
