Rural Innovation B2B
COVID-19 has affected businesses in multiple ways with uncertainty being a common denominator. What has been most heartening is seeing new ways of thinking and doing business emerging. Quite literally, it has taken a pandemic to shake us out of our complacency and clearly, it is the most adaptable, innovative and collaborative, who thrive. Why would we want to return to ‘normal’?
The impact of COVID-19 on businesses has varied. Some have closed their doors temporarily and for those that were marginal to begin with, there will be no appetite for a comeback. Many have limped along in a limited capacity to try and meet overheads. For the lucky ones it is business almost as usual, and others are stretched to capacity to meet demand.
While some feel guilty that they are able to continue operating when so many have been forced to close, I believe that they should instead feel grateful. No business is an island. We are all in this together and your success is our success.
Regardless of what situation your business is in, we have one thing in common. We have all had to deal with uncertainty, and the inevitable stress. Now is a good time to stop and enquire how your fellow business owners are going. Despite any bravado they will be hurting in some way. Just showing that you care and understand will help them move forward and it may well be beneficial for you both.
Let us be under no illusion. This will be a long recovery process for those most impacted and professional assistance should be sought to plan ahead.
We need to start looking forward but, in the rush to get back to ‘normal’, we would be doing ourselves a great disservice not to think about the good things that have emerged over the past few weeks.
Use of online technology
First and foremost, there has been a huge uptake in the use of online technology for communication and reaching new markets. So much dead travel time has been saved and rural businesses that have been struggling to survive on local or tourist trade have been reminded that there is a whole global world out there. The goodwill has never been higher to support rural and family operated businesses providing we offer customers online options.
Diversification
Those businesses who have been most affected have used the time to explore how they can diversify their offer and their markets. Existing equipment and skills have been pivoted to new purposes such as producing hand sanitiser. New skills have been learnt and are in the process of being applied to new business products and services.
New processes
Remote work and improved hygiene practices for staff and customers has been a major focus of those still able to operate. Communication has been ramped up with customers to convey confidence that we can still safely do business and to advise of any changes in the way services are being provided. We’ve learnt that it’s not enough to just do it, we have to visibly demonstrate that we are doing it.
Collaboration
As supply chains have been stressed, new ways of doing business have been thrust upon us, and businesses have reached out to explore how they can support each other. Simple things like sharing transport and supplies or promoting a small business’s products on another business’s website are truly heartening. We are so much stronger when we work together, share costs, and promote each other.
Work / Life Balance
For busy business owners, the pandemic restrictions on socialising has also reminded us of the importance of family. For those who have been restricted in our business operations, it has given us the opportunity work on our business and our personal well-being. This has been a valuable time to assess how we can balance our time more effectively.
Should we stop doing any of this? Definitely not!
Quite literally, it has taken a pandemic to shake us out of our complacency and clearly, it is the most adaptable who thrive. Let us erase ‘Normal’ from our conversation and continue to embrace change through ongoing collaboration and innovation.
ABOVE: Fair Dinkum Dog Coats was fortunate to already have an online platform so it is business as usual, Wine in a Glass has pivoted to produce hand sanitiser, Postan Transport is busier than ever delivering essential supplies, and Beehave is one of many retail shops who has developed an online selling platform.
KERRY ANDERSON: Founder of the Operation Next Gen program and author of ‘Entrepreneurship: It’s Everybody’s Business,’ Kerry works with small businesses and rural communities to help them embrace new opportunities. In 2018 she was named as one of Australia’s Top 50 Regional Agents of Change. READ MORE