Strategies to keep your business productive in the current climate.
The Coronavirus (Covid19) pandemic is a human tragedy and it will get worse before it gets better. The health and wellbeing of you and your staff should be first and foremost in your business planning.
Thousands of organisations are suffering a slow down due to the economic “domino” effect brought about by the Coronavirus. This slowdown is leaving staff with unproductive time on their hands. In most businesses there are a high percentage of tasks that just don’t get done; these are tasks that are considered secondary priorities. In other words, you would like to do them, but they get shunted down the priority list. A quiet business period gives you an opportunity to catch up. Could this be an opportunity to use this forced resource capacity to drive productivity and innovation?
There is no doubt Coronavirus will cause a sharp downturn in the Australian economy and that of the wider world, however, many have said that much of the panic associated with this virus, although understandable, will be short term. If we are proactive, we can make good use of this time and make a start on preparation for the next phase of work “post virus”. Regardless of what’s happening as a result of the Coronavirus, sound business practice tells us that planning for ongoing market changes is always a wise move.
Based on this window of improvement opportunity, here are 7 things to consider doing with your companies spare “non-productive” time.
1. Process Improvement
Enterprising and innovative staff (all businesses should have a few!) are not bogged down in the “business-as-usual” and not under as much immediate pressure. They have the time to look closely at existing processes and find ways to do things better or more efficiently.
2. Collaboration with key suppliers and customers
People, markets, businesses will change and some of these changes will stick!
People will buy less of some items
People will buy more of some items
People will stop attending as many events and meetings
People will do more online
People will change their habits and routines
3. Technology integration
Automation: Using innovative approaches to make your business more efficient generates energy and excitement. Our blog “5 things to do before automating a process” looks more closely at the steps to take.
4. Build Relationships with Clients
Make sure you keep in touch with clients during quiet periods, even if they are not placing orders.
5. Staff Welfare: Training
Up-skilling staff in leadership and process improvement tools such as Lean.
6. Maintenance
Why wait for end of year shutdowns?
AND FINALLY (AND IMPORTANTLY)....
7. Get Ready for The Upturn
Fastrack or bring forward projects that can help prepare the business for the ‘Post Virus” economic upswing. Projects that may have been performed sequentially, using the original schedule, can be performed in parallel.
