Responding to the Pandemic – What Comes Next for Your Business?

Business
Written By

Depending on where you live and work, things should be loosening up a bit for you, though it begs the question of what comes next in response to the pandemic and its aftermath.

We hope that as the lockdowns and stay-at-home orders are relaxed, your life and your furnishings or design business begin to resemble something like normal. Although it's likely to take some time to get back, you would do well to believe that we will evolve from crisis living to a more acceptable way of life and work.

While uncertainty may be the dominant mindset at the moment – we must all remember that it is just a moment – a particularly stressful point in time that will not, that cannot, last forever.

Yes, it may seem like our situation is dire for now. Yet, there is no reason to suppose that the negative aspects of the current situation will be especially important over the next six months or the next few years.

Experience teaches us that human beings are remarkably resilient in the face of crisis and tragedy. It is an integral part of human nature that we bounce back from disasters and look to the future, despite the most serious of challenges.

Examples of this might be the 9/11 tragedy, hurricane Sandy, or the many other natural and manmade disasters from which most of us have recovered. And yes, that is the key. That we have recovered – and that we will recover again.

Visualize Your Future Beyond the Crisis

As you look to the future, you will need to ask yourself some questions – about yourself, your business, and about your clients' lives. The answers to these questions will be an invaluable guide for moving forward successfully and with as little ongoing disruption as possible.

Questions to answer about your business:

  • How has your design business changed in the past 60 days? (Or, your life.)

  • Do you need to change your value proposition?

  • What will be different moving forward?

  • What short-term changes have you made, and what are the long-term effects?

  • More specifically, which suppliers and subs have weathered the storm and are ready to get back to work?

It may also be helpful to pay attention to your competitors. Some will surely do well despite the current crisis, while others may disappear altogether. Do what you can to emulate the former and avoid the latter like a deadly virus.

Questions to answer about your clients:

  • How have things changed in their lives, homes, and offices in the past 60 days?

  • What do they value that they did not before?

  • What will be the most helpful and relevant things you can do for them to help them recover?

  • Which types of clients (which homeowners and office tenants) are doing well and can afford to become clients?

  • Where and how can you be empathetic to those who are afraid while accommodating those who are not?

These are essential issues that we will all need to consider as we work to restore relationships, rebuild our client lists, and return to business as usual (or, as as-usual as we can).

One More Thing to Consider

Among the many changes you're likely to see from clients and prospects, as well as suppliers and subs, will be ongoing fear and residual anger. Some will be afraid we are trying to recover too quickly. Others will declare it was a "fake news" conspiracy, and there is nothing to worry about. Neither of these beliefs can be discounted out of hand, for the simple reason that you need their business or support and can't afford to ignore them.

So, work hard to be considerate and respectful of everyone you encounter since you have no idea how deeply or tragically they may have been affected. In other words, employ the Golden Rule and treat them as you would wish to be treated. Your business will appreciate you for it, and your "What comes next?" question will quickly be a thing of the past.

If you're struggling to answer any of these questions, or with creating a vision for your future, Ted continues to offer business consulting support to interior designers and furnishing store owners. With more than 25 years' experience in the luxury furnishings industry and through all sorts of economic crises and natural disasters, he should be able to help you cope with all the craziness.

To get in touch with Ted, or for more design business tips, trends, and marketing ideas… Get in touch with TD Fall today.