How to Capitalize on the Huge Progress Coronavirus is Forcing Us To Make

The Sprocket Report

Plenty of business bad news is being reported. But let’s focus on what’s good. We are all currently taking part in a grand online experiment, so we may as well learn from it and use the lessons to grow our business.

Facing our umpteenth day sheltering-in-place, practically the entire world is figuring out how to get food, stay in touch and do our work from home – mainly online. One day, restrictions will be lifted, but there is no going back to how things were before. We will all be operating under a new normal. Here are the three main differences we can expect and suggestions for how our businesses can make the most of these changes.

Embracing unknown technology
Your grandmother learned how to Zoom. Maintenance contractors do virtual inspections. Art teachers juggle downloading and messaging tools. It’s been awfully uncomfortable, but everyone is being forced to learn new technological methods or be left behind. 

So we learned it. And that knowledge will remain even as we start to ease back into normalcy.

As web developers, Sprocket has always dealt with the learning curve issues. Business owners assume that both employees and customers will struggle with unfamiliar tech tools so they are hesitant to take advantage of the amazing applications available to them to do business better online. 

Now that we have all pushed past that barrier, it’s time to double down on technology to more efficiently serve our customers, run our operations and prepare for the next unexpected hiccup.

Working away from the office or shop
Those who were skeptical about employees working from home had no choice but to attempt it. Those who thought their industry was not suited to working from home changed their minds. You either had to pivot on your business plan or shut down completely. Hope you are taking notes!

So how productive have you and your colleagues been? What would make you more productive? Have you compared the trade-offs of productivity, commuting, overhead and so on? While this involuntary exercise might have been painful, the lessons learned could help you cut costs and improve efficiency in the not-so-distant future.

Rebuilding the old foundation
When the storm rages is when we notice where the cracks are. Whether we're talking about our government or our pantry or our business, this pandemic has shown us where we were not fully prepared. We would be foolish not to take steps now to prepare for the next storm.

Where do you need to shore up your foundation? Many businesses are finding that their information storage and sharing doesn’t work as well as it should. Others are realizing that they need better tools for contacting clients and vendors. Maybe upgrading technology isn’t in the budget right now, but take good notes, plan ahead and start budgeting for the changes. You’ll kick yourself later if you don’t.

The Sprocket team has been busier than ever during this time as many clients shifted to doing more business online. Additional functions have been needed as well as training on how to use the new processes. Marketing to reach customers and build awareness has also been important. We are doing our best to help our clients through this tough time and are so looking forward to seeing them successful when times get better. If you are not getting the support your business needs, don’t struggle alone. Give us a call and let’s see how we can help. 

Kate GingoldKate Gingold

I have been writing a blog with web marketing tips and techniques every other week since 2003. In addition to blogging and client content writing, I write books and a blog on local history.

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Full biography

I have been writing a blog with web marketing tips and techniques every other week since 2003. In addition to blogging and client content writing, I write books and a blog on local history.

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