Will you go back to the way it was or embrace a “New Normal” for your business?

Many businesses are in the throes of figuring out what getting back to work and the “New Normal” will look like. We are all adjusting. As we do adjust, I encourage you to think about what changes can you make in running your business to set you up for future growth.

You often hear that it takes 21 days to start a new habit. One stat that isn’t talked about often is that when a big change happens, like the impact of COVID, humans have a 90-day window of opportunity to create and implement change. Why? We’re already disrupted – the ways we operate, communicate, manage, shop, even how often we drive, (for me it’s been 2 months since I’ve driven anywhere). For the next 90 days, we’re now more adaptable to change – willing to try new things as we’re figuring out our new routines and how to navigate this big change.

What does this mean for your business?

Now is the time to think about what you want to do for your business and what you want your business to be in the future. While this is our “new normal” transition period, it will quickly become the norm within 90 days whether we intentionally establish a new normal or not. New changes after this time period are less accepted. If you were contemplating change already, this is a huge opportunity for your business!

What would you change? Where do you want to improve?

I encourage you to think about what you want your business to look like – what’s your 1-year plan, 3-year picture, and 10-year target? Your employees, vendors and even processes are disrupted right now, and they can easily settle back into what it was. Is that what you want?

If not, it’s time to get crystal clear on your vision and take back control of your business as we find our “new normal”. Here are a few things to think about:

• Do you have a clear vision – in writing – that has been properly communicated and is shared by everyone in the company?
  Is everyone in your organization engaged in regular weekly meetings to identify, discuss, and solve issues for the long-term greater good of the company?
• What processes would you improve or redesign?
• What people or skillsets do you need to help you get there?
• Can your current staff get you there with the right tools and education?
• What do you need to measure to ensure you’re on track to reach new goals?

No one likes changes to their routines. We’ve all had plenty of that the last 2 months and counting. But, before we settle back into what we had, if that’s even possible, I encourage you to see this as a huge opportunity to use these current disruptions to your advantage and be intentional about the “new normal” routines your business settles into.

Look for more on this topic next week along with a few tools you can use to re-root yourself in your business and strengthen your foundation to grow even more in the months and years to come. And if you have any questions or would like more information about starting EOS, contact me today.