Let me preface this by stating that NOBODY has a road map that has a sure way through these unprecedented times. What the entire world is going through during this pandemic would have been almost unimaginable prior to this. However, now that we are here, we need to do our best to navigate our business through these new and uncertain times.
The degree of impact that this has had on your business will vary from location to location and each business type will face it’s own challenges. What this articles hopes to do is identify some common ground on which to get a footing so that we can all get back to business and earning our livings.
Sharpen Your Edge
As businesses reopen, everyone will be scrambling with their competition for the same customers even harder than they have fought before. Now more than ever you need to define your what makes you more valuable to your prospects than others who offer the same products or services. Money is tight and people are skeptical about spending. Should they be interested in making a purchase you have to prove why you’re the one they will be spending their money with.
This is the perfect time to reexamine your UVP (unique value proposition) A UVP is clear statement that describes the benefit of your offer, how you solve your customer’s needs and what distinguishes you from others in your field. Be sure that your UVP is clearly presented in your brochures, postcards, flyers, and social media ads.
Put Yourself in Your Customer’s Shoes
As we slowly get back to some semblance of normalcy, you have to realize that people are still wary. If there are social distancing guidelines in your area and there are measures that you are taking to protect your customers- make it known! Make the details of your efforts part of your advertising and marketing. Explain how and why customers will be safe in your environment. If they feel safe, that is one less obstacle that you need to overcome if you want their business.
Extra Value Please
For most people, parting with money will be much more of a difficult decision than it used to be. You need to find ways to add value for all of your offerings. In stressed financial times discretionary purchases will sometimes be put on the back-burner until there is more certainty about the strength of the economy. This makes selling anything more difficult. If you can find a way to add value to your offering without incurring too much of a cost, take this opportunity to make your offer more desirable.
Plan for the Future
Again, this is unprecedented territory and we don’t know if there will be another quarantine or lockdown as the situation evolves. If possible, be prepared this time around by being able to conduct business online. Getting a proper website developed can help you retain some of your customers by selling products from your own eCommerce website or by holding virtual meetings or appointments. You might be able to avoid complete income loss by having a contingency plan that can help mitigate losses incurred by having to close your physical store in the event of another emergency.
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