Message To Kettering Business Owners - Lockdown Jan'21
On the back of Boris's announcement this week ...
There’s a saying in nautical circles that ‘a smooth sea never made a good sailor’.
The gist, of course, is that you only get good when you have challenges to deal with. And that’s the same in every worthwhile walk of life. including yours - Right now!
Yes, it’s natural to feel anger and frustration and fear for the prosperity of your business as the country faces another lockdown. It's also easy to think of yourself as a victim, but despite all the restrictions that Boris announced, you have a lot more say than you realise about what happens next in your business.
This is your moment to 'control the controllables';
- to focus on the things that you can do something about and fight with every sinew of your being not to get dragged into the ‘woe-is-me’ pit of misery and despair that is enveloping the country.
Because you CAN rise to this challenge. You CAN find a way through; a way that actually strengthens your business.
Here are some steps you could (and should!) take now:
1. Take the money...
Think carefully about furlough. Use it if it’s sensible to do so.
2. Get on the front foot with your communication...
This is not the time to go quiet on your customers. They need to hear from you. And your messages need to be positive. Don’t fuel the misery train. (And don’t put out the ‘We’re now closed due to Lockdown’ nonsence that everyone else will be doing and many did to their cost last time around)
3. Think creatively...
For instance the new rules say that ‘Non-essential retail can remain open for delivery to customers and click-and-collect.’ Now that’s going to present challenges but it’s also a great opportunity to galvanise your community behind you, to put out a super-positive message about ‘supporting the community’.
Control the controllables. You don’t have to miss out on all the lost sales in November – and once you start selling online, your catchment area could expand massively.
4. Remember marketing is a NOT a non-essential spend...
If you shut down your activity here, you’re effectively giving in. The lockdown is going to mean more people browsing online, with more time to look, watch and consume. Ad costs will almost certainly drop again as the 'not so savvy' businesses vacate the field. These are great opportunities for those smart enough to see it.
"And remember, doing business without marketing is like winking at a girl in the dark. You know what you’re doing, but nobody else does!"
You’ve got to keep the out-reach going. Control the controllables.
5. Be in front of your customers as often as possible...
Many are going to be stuck at home and consumption (of your messages) will lead to sales.
6. Phone your customers…
Radical eh! Seriously, reach out. Reassure them. Help them. Their lives are probably full of just as much uncertainty as yours. Be there for them. Get on the front foot. Proactively nurturing a relationship is one of the most valuable things you can do in business. Show them you care.
7. Skill up...
Use this time to do the things that you KNOW you need to do. Get your marketing sorted, properly. Get your Knowledge Centre sorted, properly. Fix your 'Google My Business' listing. Sort your LinkedIn profile. And then Get Re-marketing set up. Understand your numbers.
Control the controllables.
Look, I’m not pretending that the next few weeks are going to be anything other than hard.
And we know it’s likely that the pain will continue beyond the end of November. That’s just how it is – and you don’t have any say over that.
But you (still) have way more control over what happens to your business than you realise.
And this stormy sea can be the making of you.
You’re not alone – and together you can – and will – prevail.
Do you remember 'Operation Protect'?
Operation Protect was our campaign 36 page document during the 1st lockdown to help get Kettering businesses back on their feet as quickly as possible after lockdown and to give them purpose. We had an amazing response and excellent feedback from business owners saying it had helped them keep a positive mind and use the time productively to enhance their business.
Well, guess what - everything in that document still very much applies.
It's a 36 page document in hard copy or as a downloadable booklet guide to help any and all business owners in the Kettering region make the very best use of their time whilst we are in Lockdown and beyond.
If you'd like to see and download an online version of this document, you still can with our compliments by clicking here. It's FREE!
There’s an old saying: ‘Stopping marketing to save money is like stopping your watch to save time’.
It just doesn’t work, as what you save today you will pay for tomorrow.
Now is the time to make considered, measured decisions that will put you in a great place for the future.
STAY STRONG, and stay safe,
Stuart
Stuart Pate- The Bestof Kettering
07976 654783
