The concept of a semi-permanent normal, new or existing, is history in this era of information, technology, and, for the moment, regional quarantine. The only new normal, the only constant, is change, and that really is how life works. We don’t know how the future will unfold. We don’t know how long it will take to get beyond this pandemic and the challenges we face as business owners and decision makers. The new normal for working in offices isn’t new because that was already in a state of flux. Businesses have to evolve constantly, otherwise they can be out of business very quickly. The most successful businesses try to stay ahead of the curve, in customer communication, local and global trends, systems technology, and much more.
Moving at the Speed of Business.
That slogan and accompanying ad campaign ran from 1995 through 2002 and was designed to modernize the image of the world’s largest package-delivery company, UPS (United Parcel Service of America, Inc.). “Moving at the speed of business” referred to the rapid delivery of packages but also described the manner in which UPS would adapt to the changing needs of business customers. Business owners in this information age, now more than ever, need to be ready for potential transformative changes and have the ability to adapt to those changes.
Building Real Relationships with Customers.
Learning how to run a successful business, regardless of external influences, can start by cultivating loyal customers. For the sake of example, I use customers and clients interchangeably. The only difference would be where products or services need a lot of personalization and customization, those users of the products or services would be clients. If you’re building real relationships with your customers, they’re more likely to become loyal followers and spread the word about your business. Relevant, consistent social media posts (with your images), email messages, and even personalized text messages are great ways to keep your customers informed.
The Characteristic of Scalability.
Scalability in business can be described as having a system that scales well and can increase its level of performance or efficiency, even as it is tested by expanding operational demands. If a business has capabilities to perform well under an increased (or decreased) workload, external influences should not have much impact on the bottom line. Scalability is essential in that it contributes to competitiveness, efficiency, reputation and quality. Small business decision makers must be particularly mindful of scalability because they have tremendous growth potential and need to maximize the return with resources.
