January 20, 2021

Bringing Your Business into the New Year

2020 may be behind us, but it has left many lasting changes that may affect the way you manage your business for 2021. Whether it’s making changes to your goals or restructuring the way your team works together, there are many options and steps to consider as you begin another successful year for your company. Read on for some ideas on the best ways to make 2021 one of the best years for you and your employees.

Stay Flexible

If the last year taught business owners anything, it’s that the ability to adapt to change with little to no notice is crucial in keeping a company running. As much as we all want to believe that the new year will bring a much-needed sense of normalcy for the business community, it’s also important to recognize that many of the changes from 2020 are still in effect, like social distancing guidelines and other CDC recommendations.

It’s hard to plan for something you can’t predict, but you can still keep your business nimble by utilizing the resources around you. For instance, if your team members will still be working from home, you can begin to implement better digital options for communication. Those employees who need to come into the office can be provided with masks and marked off areas to promote social distancing. More than anything, it’s vital for your business to be ready to pivot to face these changes with as little disruption as possible, so go ahead and sit down with your team to find out how you can help them adapt to possible changes.

Keep Up with Current Events

While it may not be exciting to watch the daily news in light of the constantly evolving information around COVID-19, it’s important that you take intentional steps toward knowing what experts are predicting so you can prepare your team to act accordingly. Running a business does take a lot of your time, so look for reliable news aggregates that can give you a snapshot of important facts you need to know. Set alerts to help manage the time you spend searching for news.

Once you have the information you need, it’s also critical for you to pass on updates to your employees. While you can also encourage them to keep up with current events themselves, it’s still important that you take the lead in giving your team important information they need that relates to your industry. The info you share will be specific to what your business does – healthcare companies will likely need to focus on different information than a manufacturing plant, for example.

Find New Solutions to Old Problems

Thanks to the new realities that 2020 brought to many businesses, you and your team have probably had to get creative when it comes to solving some unexpected issues. However, there is a silver lining to this – you have been made aware of a lot of new resources that can help you deal with the new twists and turns that may come your way this year. By utilizing these resources well, you can help bring your business to an even higher level of success and exposure.

If you’re not sure where to begin, a great place to start is to consult your local colleagues to find out how they are working through common issues that many businesses now face. For instance, if you’re not satisfied with the current video platform your company is using for virtual meetings, ask around to learn what has worked for other companies in your industry. Your team members may also be a great resource for learning about new tricks and tips to help your business thrive this year.

Finally, engage with the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce to learn about educational opportunities and connect with other, local professionals.

These last few months have been difficult, but you’ve proven you’re up to the challenge. Now you have the chance to grow your company even more as you prepare to face the exciting developments of 2021.

January 20, 2021 Laura Stewart

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