Well I'm sure I'm not the only one that's finding this 3rd lock-down more of a slog. But importantly most businesses seem to have far better adjusted to working remotely or safely with PPE and spacing, etc. To date, there seems less of a drop in business activity compared with the severe economic shock of the 1st lock-down, March 2020.

Where needed phone transfer systems have been put in place if office receptions have been unable to re-open Covid safe. Therefore reaching prospects has become easier and bit less reliant on emails. Online noise pre-Covid was already very loud but with the widespread shift to remote working, online noise got even more amplified.

Going forward, I think the human approach will be really quite refreshing after all the time spent out of the office or wherever your regular place of work is. 

With the ongoing vaccination program really helping to accelerate traction out of  lock-down, plus the government's recent provisional road map out of this, good times are starting to look more like a possibility sooner rather than later. Spring is in the air and economic growth looks like making a comeback too! Which means:
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• More sure plans can be made
• Decision makers can start making decisions.
• Projects on hold can finally be given the go ahead.
• Businesses in hibernation or semi-hibernation will start to creak and stir again.

There might be a great V shaped rebound, especially for some sectors that will finally be permitted to properly open. For those lucky enough to have experienced full salary or incomes throughout the pandemic, there's a lot of pent up demand just waiting to  splurge or spend at least some of their increasing forced savings pot. 

There are good grounds for optimism that this time we will get back to at least near normal conditions so businesses can function as they should and reach their pre-Covid potential again. 

Time to plan, kick start and ramp up your prospecting activities.

If you need any help reaching out and getting new business, get in touch.

Have a good Spring.

Well it's been a rough few months for many and the prime minister said to expect the months ahead to be 'bumpy'. Therefore, it's reasonable to expect varying Covid restrictions to continue for at least another 6-12 months. For some sectors, e.g. the travel industry, it looks likely to need a vaccine or herd immunity to help them return to anywhere near norm.

Commercial trends and the big economic disruption is forcing through change.

As we now have a better understanding of the future, it's a good time to review your New Business strategy. Ask yourself:

• What's happened since lock-down?
• Where you are right now?
• Where are you most likely to be heading in the next 6-12 months if you continue without making any adjustments? Try to be objective and realistic of future expectations.
• Are you comfortable with those probable projections?

Yes? then good for you, carry on as planned. 

No? then it's time to consider a re-pivot.

It can be hard, bewildering or upsetting to accept that what worked well in the past is suddenly not working so well for you now. Try to stand back and evaluate your portfolio of work and the markets you've been servicing.

Some aspects to consider:

• How affected has your regular target market been by Covid?
• Are you typical prospects likely to get through the next 6-12 months without significant impact?
• Do you need to diversify?
• Is there anything more you can add or offer that opens you up to other sectors?
• Do you have any competitive advantages? 
• Do you need to ramp up your new business activities?

The above is some broad guidance to help work out the future. For my thoughts on your specific situation, get in touch.
​Ilse