COVID-19 has shaken up our normal and has quickly changed the business landscape. While this year has been filled with a lot of feelings of uncertainty, people are learning how to adapt and shift what a “normal” workday looks like. If you’re still struggling with the day-to-day aspects of business, we suggest you read on to learn four lessons companies can take away from the COVID-19 situation.
Keep a People-First Mentality
During times like a pandemic, you need to remember that at the end of the day, people matter the most. This not only includes your customers, but also the people who work with you – and for you – every day. Think about what you can do to ensure their safety. In terms of COVID-19, many businesses are transitioning their workforce to working from home. But to do so, you need to make sure your staff has the resources they need to continue to function without leaving security gaps. You need to make sure you have the tools, capacity and security measures in place to support your entire workforce.
Decide Who is in Charge of What
A business continuity plan gives you the ability to jump into action immediately. But to do so, you need to have the right people in the right places. You’re essentially building a team of people who has a plan, communicates with the employees and customers, makes sure everyone has what they need, and puts the rest of the staff at ease knowing that everything is under control. It’s essential to have a least one point person with support by senior leadership to help calm any uncertainties and misinformation. Also, keep in mind the necessary need for backup personnel if there are ever any changes.
Maintain a Clear Line of Communication
A crisis impacts everyone, and they’re all affected in different ways. You need to get your message in front of your team before they turn to panic. People are comforted by clear communication with consistent updates – this includes communicating with your staff and your customers. Let them know you have everything under control, what you’re doing and what they can expect in the upcoming days and weeks.
Identify Key Business Operations
The goal of a business continuity plan is to keep your business going. So you need to identify exactly what “it” is, and make sure “it” is working. By assessing your business process, you’ll be able to pinpoint critical business operations, understand your vulnerabilities and have a full understanding of how long your business can be offline before it drastically impacts your bottom line. A good place to start is to identify your high-value assets, functions and customer relationships.
A bonus lesson we’ve learned from COVID-19 is that you simply can’t do it alone. The silver lining of this pandemic is that we saw people coming together to support each other and lend a helping hand whenever they can. As an expert managed services provider, we’d like to lend our helping hand to you, too. Contact us today to learn about our business continuity services and find peace of mind.
