FIVE TIPS FOR IMPROVING YOUR BUSINESS IN 2021

Matthew Holden
Forbes Councils Member

(Source: www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2021/04/16/five-tips-for-
improving-your-business-in-2021)

Almost a year into the Covid-19 pandemic, businesses are slowly adapting to the
“new normal.” Even as vaccine distribution picks up and the world trends toward
recovery, I believe business owners can always improve their strategies to maximize
profit and productivity in the unique setting of the 2021 workplace.

Below are a few of my tips for continuing to improve your business in this unique
time:

1. Support your employees and customers.

Although vaccines are here, there are still concerns for all about health and wellness
in the workplace, whether that be from an employee or customer perspective. Simple
shows of support can help ease worry, such as providing extra masks for your
employees and clients or installing hand sanitizer dispensers around the office or
store.

Additionally, remind all that health comes first. If someone feels sick, allow them to
stay home; after all, one sick day is better than an outbreak among employees. You
can even consider encouraging employees to sign up for the vaccine and supporting
their efforts to do so. For example, maybe you could host a virtual meeting to explain
how to navigate registration or allow an extra hour of paid time off to go get it.

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2. Streamline work-from-home practices.

Whether your employees have worked from home this entire time or are starting to
return to the office, it is clear that work-from-home practices will continue to be
implemented far past the end of the pandemic. And though no time is wasted
commuting, it has been tough for some to adapt to remote work.

To help, share tips with your team for remaining productive, such as establishing a
clear workspace to get in the mindset or having a morning routine. Support taking
breaks throughout the day, and organize safe social events in which your team feels
comfortable participating, whether on Zoom or properly socially distanced.

3. Embrace change.

The pandemic has forced all businesses to adapt, and continuing to do so will let you
stay on top of any curveball that is thrown your way. For example, perhaps your
business had prior success with hosting events to gain new clients before the
pandemic; why not try to recreate that success in a socially distanced fashion or
online with the many new tools available? Or, maybe you have had to take phone
orders due to no in-person shopping; perhaps you could use this time to try to build a
website.

4. Stay social.

Now that most of us are spending more time at home, people are on their
phones more, which makes this a perfect time to try to gather data or reach out to
new customers. Send out surveys, begin a newsletter or promote new products in a
fun format. You could even consider starting a social media account on a platform
your target audience is also on, such as TikTok or Instagram. The key is to use this
time to ensure you are at the forefront of your customers' or clients' minds.

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5. Cut costs creatively.

Try new strategies to cut costs. You can modernize your marketing efforts by starting
a referral program, for example, or learning how to use social media marketing
yourself (there are many resources online).

Furthermore, time is money, so consider leveraging software programs that can help
promote time efficiency, and communicate clear timelines to your employees to set
expectations. If you're looking to reduce supply expenses, do your research,
compare options and see if there are better deals from another vendor or if your
current vendor is open to a new agreement

Hope these ideas can help you and your organization to be more productive during
these challenging times.

Please share your ideas to further improve your organization’s performance

especially during this challenging times.

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