Brad Sugars held a brilliant webinar on Wednesday 20 May where he took us through The 9 Must Do’s So Your Business Starts Racing. One of the key outtakes that I took from this webinar is that there is no old way of doing things, and that we need to remember that there is no going back. This can be a daunting thought, especially for business owners who relied on tried and tested methodology to survive. But there is no need for fear, as Chairman and founder of ActionCOACH Brad Sugars says “This is a time you will win business. Come out RACING. Reach out and network. Let’s see all business owners with a better business than what it was before.”
To-Do # One: Re-educate and Prepare
“Unfortunately, there seems to be far more opportunity out there than ability…. We should remember that good fortune often happens when opportunity meets with preparation.” – Thomas A. Edison.
The number one thing you need to be doing right now, is to clean and screen! Make sure that if you are working from the office, and if your staff are working from the office, that the office space is being cleaned as per government safety regulations! Furthermore – screen every person that comes into the office, all measures need to be taken to ensure the safety of yourself and most importantly – your team. Make sure your team members feel seen and that you are taking their feelings into consideration. It is vital to assure your team that everything is being done to make their safety a top priority.
To-Do # Two: Re-build Your Team
“Bringing great people onto your team is about demonstrating that size really doesn’t matter – people do.” – Jess Campbell
Communicate, communicate, communicate! This is not the time to go quiet with your staff. Your staff are worried, they are fearful and they need you to be telling them absolutely everything. Give them confidence! Show them your plan, invite them to contribute to that plan. This is about community and communication. This may be the time to hire some new people, or build on to your current team. Whatever the situation, make sure you handle it with communication at the foreground! Another tip that came from Sugars’ webinar – be FLEXIBLE! Allow for your staff to work flexible hours, make sure that if they come into the office that they aren’t there for lengthy periods of time. Have half staff in the morning and the other half in the afternoon – make it work! Sugars reminded us that it’s important to note – productivity may not be at 100% right now, work with your staff and listen to them – find out how you can help. These are new times, treat everyone like they are new – we need to be starting again.
To-Do # Three: Renew with Deals for Days
“When one has a great deal to put into it a day has a hundred pockets.” – Friedrich Nietzsche
What was truly emphasised here by brad Sugars is the “Days” part of the tip. Don’t give people a deal that lasts a week, now is the time to give them a deal that last 1 month, 2 months even 3 months! Give out special deals to frontline workers- show the community your gratitude. It’s also important to recognise the difference between a ‘sale’ and a ‘deal’. Buy one get one free, buy two get the third free – these are all deals that could really catapult your marketing, and let your customer know that you are thinking of them during these times. Make sure this is communicated, especially to the top 20% of your customers. And an important thing to remember, as shared by Brad Sugars – there will be customers up for sale! Look out for these opportunities.
To-Do # Four: Re-Opening Announcements
“Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire and begin at once, whether you are ready or not, to put this plan into action.” – Napoleon Hill
A calming reminder that I took from Brad Sugars webinar, is that things will reopen – things will move forward, and this state is not permanent. So then, how do you plan to re-open? According to Sugars this needs to be done with vigor and excitement – build this up by using your marketing to get the word out that you cannot wait to re-open. Tell your customers that you are still here, and that you cannot wait to see them and serve them again. Announce your deals, announce your dates, announce every team member and share every step! Shoe your customers how you are planning to come back with a bang!
To-Do # Five: Re-Do Your Celebration
“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” – Oprah Winfrey
Do you remember the day you first opened? That excitement and the way you made a big deal out of it? Well, now is the time to start planning that opening again… only this time, make it BIGGER! Do a ribbon cutting ceremony, do two or three if you so desire – do something MEMORABLE! There is so much to celebrate when that opening happens – celebrate surviving, celebrate your team, your customers, your community… and make it newsworthy! In face, Sugars even went on to suggest that you bring your local news station in and get them to showcase your opening. And why NOT? The news is a dark place today, give them something to celebrate!
To-Do # Six: Re-Run Your Numbers
“If you don’t know your numbers, you don’t know your business.” – Marcus Lemonis
Brad Sugars emphasised this point, and we couldn’t agree more… KNOW YOUR NUMBERS!! Now more than every you need to know your numbers inside-out. Every decision you make now either makes or costs you money, and it is vital that you stay on top of this. As always, cash is king – have more cash on hand. Know your break even and your profit margins. Know what are unnecessary costs, and know what are essential costs – don’t get rid of the wrong one. If you have received money from the government – make sure you are suing this money wisely. Account for every pound you spend of that money, and make sure it is making you money in return!
To-Do # Seven: Re-think Your Marketing and Sales
“The world has changed, people’s motivations and decision making has changed, and so should your marketing message and sales strategies.” – Brad Sugars
Brad Sugars spent a good few minutes on this topic, further emphasising it’s importance in the steps you need to be taking for your business today. Ultimately, what you need now is a completely new marketing plan. Run a full SWOT analysis – know every strength, weakness, opportunity and threat that your business has and faces – know this well and center your marketing plan around it. Your marketing message today needs to be centered around helping and education people – be very careful with the message your are putting out there right now. Businesses are crashing because of the inappropriate messaging their marketers are putting on their channels. Remember that people are worried and they are carrying fear with them – part of your marketing message needs to tap into the psyche of the community – understand their mindset, relate – and talk to THAT! Share loads of testimonials, to show your customers how your business can help! Ask more questions – find out how your customers are, what they need and how you can help them!
To-Do # Eight: Re-Thank Everybody
“Saying thank you is more than good manners, it is good spirituality.” -Alfred Painter
Now is the time to be grateful, and to show this gratitude you need to be saying thank you. Thank your customers, send them a gift – if you can’t afford that, write them a personal letter. Get your team in on it! Write out postcards to send to your top customers and let them know that you are thankful for their support! Thank your team, show them that they are appreciated and that you are there with them! Thank your suppliers, your bankers and your accountants. Spread your thanks as far as you can take it – to the media and politicians, to fellow business owners – it costs nothing to show gratitude!
To-Do # Nine: Re-Write Your Plan
“Going into business without a business plan is like going on a mountain trek without a map or GPS support – you’ll eventually get lost and starve!” – Kevin J. Donaldson
The last point that Sugars took us through in his incredible webinar is that you need to be re-writing your business plan. If you have followed through these steps, you will see a common thread – there is no old way of doing things. There is no going back. And the plan you had yesterday, no longer works today. And so, write out: 90 Days to Survive…and 90 Days to Thrive! Re-opening is harder than closing, make sure you have a plan and are ready! You cannot afford simple mistakes during this time – be thorough. Think of the negatives and the positives, make sure you are prepared for BOTH! And importantly – get help! Call your local ActionCOACH Coach – lean on your coach through these times.
Click this link to watch the incredible webinar. And get in touch with us today to book your free 30 minute coaching session! Let’s get through this together, and we’ll get out stronger.
