Thinking in 3D! Give your business a good work out!

Consultant Andy Hanselman urges businesses to think ‘Dramatically and Demonstrably Differently’

Wow, we’re in very, very interesting times! Uncertainty, disruption and a sense of panic definitely abounds and for many with few (no) customers, and therefore less (no) money there is a danger that they ‘freeze’ and do nothing, and things get worse.

So, to help businesses avoid that and inspired by the success of Joe Wicks and his online PE sessions, we’ve launched BE sessions – short ‘Business Exercises’ to help you keep and get your business ‘fit’ and have your business ready for ‘the light at the end of the tunnel’.

Some of the ‘exercises’ include…

‘Connect’ with your customers. No ‘corporate’ missives, but personalised notes, emails, videos, phone calls that show you care and are thinking about them.
‘Converse’ with your people. Create time for ‘conversations’ with them. Take an interest, ‘engage’ with them – chat to them about ‘non work’ stuff as well as work please!
‘Reach Out’ To Others. There’s no need to be alone – find other people via online networks, Zoom meet-ups, webinars, and discussion forums and tap into them.
Learn Something ‘New’. Create some time to develop a new skill – business or personally – that will help you now, or in the future. I’ve subscribed to an online magic course, so watch this space!
Review Your Customer Base. Now’s a great time to assess your customer base – who are your ‘best’ ones and why are they the ‘best’? Develop a plan to get more of these in the future (and to get rid of your ‘worst’ customers!)
Prepare For The Future. Yes, it is difficult to plan for the future, but spend some time ‘Creating That Vision Thing’. Paint a picture of the ‘new’ future for you and your business that ‘stimulates, excites and inspires’. Involve your people, too.
Imagine That ‘Brave New World’! Take some time out to seriously get a feel for what’s likely to be happening in the future. Simple examples include online meetings not ‘face to face’, cashless transactions and working from home – are these opportunities or threats for you? Start finding out!
‘Fish In Different Ponds’. Read (or listen) to some new books, subscribe to new podcasts, visit new websites, watch new videos (YouTube ‘CAN’ be educational, honest!). Want some inspiration? Check out www.andyhanselman.com/gofishing
Create New Opportunities. ‘Necessity is the mother of invention’ – use this situation to identify new ways of doing things, develop new products and services, and create new customers.
Take Some Exercise!
I don’t just mean personally, but ‘business-wise’ too. Visit www.andyhanselman.com/be for a short daily ‘Business Exercise’ to help get / keep your business ‘fit’.

DO one of these things, DO, some of these things, DO all of them – it’s up to you, but please DO SOMETHING! Keep safe, keep healthy, and keep ‘Thinking in 3D’!