How to Skyrocket Your Business in a Disruptive 2021?

2020 has certainly been a year of unplanned consequences, and planning something for 2021 might seem impossible. With so many lifestyle changes, such as lockdown, closed businesses, no one really knows what’s next. 

But you shouldn’t stick to one single plan. Business owners especially, need to be very flexible and prepared for an unexpected 2021. We don’t know what might change by the next quarter of this year, so you’ll need to think about a plan and start again. 

The economy seems to be resetting, so you will have a chance to reevaluate your business strategy and determine some big improvements. 

So, how can you prepare for a disruptive 2021? What is the future holding up for your business? In this article, we’ll show you how to prepare for the unexpected.  

Carry out a strategic review of your SWOT

You are a business owner, so you must carry out a strategic review of your company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It is also called the SWOT method, which is used by most businesses. 

Once you’ve examined if your business is doing well or not, you can focus on the areas where you feel like you’re struggling, while taking a good look towards your company’s growth opportunities in 2021. 

Creating a strategy for the first quarter of this year is vital, especially if there are talks about a second or even third lockdown or economic discontent. Your staff members and contractors must be included in the process, too. Literally anyone in your business needs to prepare for change in this disorderly year. So, wait no more and start planning now.

Accept uncertainty

We all have been witnesses to the season of business disruption and change. How did people respond? For most business owners, the recent months have been challenging, and this year may not be different. Since ambiguity is the only promise right now, most companies are focusing on life after the pandemic. Well, if you don’t think about it, your competitors will. And so will new businesses. 

If we take a look at the exponential growth in remote working in 2020, we will see that now, there is a growing market for home office products. Printers, desk chairs, computers, and so on, have now become necessities for workers who didn’t need them before. 

There is one answer to this: focus on the change now and get in front of potential issues if the market is not as strong. Determine your market position, and make it easier for your clients to choose you, not your competitors. A Positioning audit is a step in the right direction for 2021 – it will help you focus on efficiencies and operating your business through this tumultuous period. The challenges associated with growing your business may not be different than last year, but they are certainly amplified:

• Increasing revenue, maintaining margins
• Customer acquisition and growth
• Staying ahead of competition

• Raising capital
• Attracting and retaining key team members

One answer, meet change now and get above the noise. Carefully define your market position, your unique solution and proposition, and in so doing, pull away from your competitors and make it easier for your customers to make decisions to choose you. 

Analyze social media for consumer trends

With the economy regaining its strengths, it helps to develop a warning system. This may involve analyzing your social media accounts for consumer trends. Follow their stories, or simply get in touch with them. 

If politicians are talking about avoiding another lockdown, chances are that in the following weeks, your local authority will do the opposite. Stay focused on creating business strategies that won’t allow your company to lose its clients and experience bankruptcy again. Social media is a great way to see what your clients like, so this way, you’ll be able to develop new trends in 2021. 

Make your customers feel valued

After the year we’ve had, no wonder most companies across the world are trying their best to delight their customers. So, you can delight yours by letting them know how much you appreciate their support. You don’t need thousands of dollars to make your clients feel valued. You could send them notes as a “thank you” for choosing your services. Trust us, it can make a difference. Developing an emotional bond with your clients will give you more chances to gain their trust and loyalty.

Appreciate your workers’ role in supporting your business

Saying thanks means more than you could imagine. If you have people who work for you, let them know how much you appreciate their support. If workers are feeling appreciated, they will return the favor and be even more productive in your business. 

Be grateful. 

Even in tough times, we can all be supportive and hope for the best. While thanking them, both your customers and clients, it will be felt in your cash flow. Managing your cash flow is vital, you don’t know how the economy will be in the future. 

Prepare your staff members for change

People across the world have struggled with economic disruption in 2020, and now, they’re looking for stability. But unfortunately, no one can guarantee stability right now.

Workers play an important role in your business, so if you expect changes in 2021, it will help to prepare your staff for change. Or else, you will risk confusing people. You staff members are likely to get comfortable working for your company again, but this year comes with a lot of uncertainties. Thus, preparing your workers to adapt to new rules is crucial. It’s better to let them know about how your business may function in 2021. 

Expect the unexpected

What would you have done in 2019 if you knew that the virus would come? Keep this in mind, and be malleable in your approach in 2021, especially if plan A fails. Let’s say that you are a business that depends on face to face contact. What will you do? Will you change your business type? Is keeping your restaurant/store still worth it?

Your business will depend on how you decide to operate it, so you must find new effective strategies, or you may prepare yourself to take a great leap backwards. 

2020 hasn’t been a great year, so let’s not mess around here. Last year was a disaster for businesses worldwide. But this is exactly the reason why you should make changes now. But you’ll still need to consider a non-expected upcoming, such as a second lockdown.

Don’t worry, the virus will pass someday, and businesses will run smoothly again. But meanwhile, it’s essential to prepare for disruptiveness in 2021.