Principles for Leading Your Company through COVID-19 Crisis

Published on: 20 November 2020 Last Updated on: 04 September 2021

Ever since the COVID-19 outbreak in the UAE, the government and other institutions have been fighting to curb its spread. The virus spreads when a healthy person inhales droplets from a person who is infected. It also spreads when you touch surfaces that are contaminated then touch your eyes, mouth, or nose. It is necessary to adhere to the recommended health guidelines like washing your hands or using an alcohol-based sanitizer, maintaining social distance, avoiding crowds, etc. Employers should ensure that the workplace is safe and can accommodate employees without compromising their health.

Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 at the Workplace

Keeping your workplace COVID-19 free does not have to cost much; maintain hygiene and cleanliness. Ensure that surfaces like tables and desks, keyboards, and telephones are wiped and disinfected regularly.

Encourage regular hand washing by workers and customers. Provide sanitizers and hand wash soap at entrances, exits, washrooms, etc. Ensure that sanitizer dispensers never run out. You can also hang informative posters on the importance of washing hands to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. Promote the use of face masks at all times and practice good respiratory hygiene. Make sure your employees are well aware of Coronavirus Health Insurance.

How to Lead Your Company during the Coronavirus

Leading a team during the COVID-19 can be tough; there is uncertainty, and employees are constantly worried about their families and health. Here are principles you can use to lead your team during this time of crisis.

Preach Hope

Your employees will mirror your behavior, so as you talk to them about the present and unclear future, it is necessary to remain optimistic. Be truthful and assure them that the company will withstand the hard times, and things will be back to normal. You need to give them hope, act like a leader.

Taking leadership training Dubai lessons teaches you how to handle overwhelming situations in the workplace. Although preaching hope is necessary, avoid giving false assurances as this can break their trust in you and the company.

People-Centered Approach

You need to be in tune with how the staff feels and thinks during this crisis; watch for changes and respond to any concerns. Employees are going to be worried and anxious about job security and health. Executives who take leadership training in Abu Dhabi classes know how to act even in a crisis. Show genuine concern for your workers; some risk their health to be at the office while others work from home juggling family and workload.

Effective Communication

Communicating is not enough; you need to ensure that the message is understood and not blown out of context or misinterpreted. Try to maintain personal but professional communication with each member. Be transparent, and keep the employees informed, but don’t bombard them with too much information.

Communication is a two-way-street; listen to your team and receive feedback without judgment. When employees are free to issue their concerns and opinions, they feel appreciated and valued which leads to job satisfaction and improved productivity.

Collaboration

Don’t pretend to know everything; nobody expects you to. This is the ideal time to rely on your resources, employees, and all team members. Create taskforces, sub-taskforces, and explain each person’s role; this makes them feel that they are contributing positively to the workplace during this crisis. Collaboration fosters cohesion and builds trust within the team. When people work together they can come up with better solutions to problems. It also helps employees to adapt to the new norm. Change is inevitable, and organizations need to adapt accordingly.

Establish a Common Vision

Focus on setting out a simple, shared vision; this fosters a sense of purpose. As the crisis escalates, a shared vision reminds the team to work on what is needed at every stage and to focus on important issues. It also helps employees to focus on the organization’s goals without getting distracted by the outside world. It steers employees in the right direction. Having a clear vision ensures that every member is on the same page. A good vision is not enough; you need to communicate correctly to let everyone know their responsibilities and expectations.

Be Present

It’s crucial to be present at the workplace to interact and support your team. It is also necessary to do the same if you have a virtual team. Most organizations have all or some of their employees work from home. It is necessary to schedule regular meetings through video conferencing. This makes remote working employees feel seen and included in everyday routine and decision-making processes. You don’t have to be physically present to lead your team. If you lead managers, you need to keep a tab of their daily routine and continue with your coaching conversation.

The COVID-19 crisis has changed the workplace; some people work from home while others continue with their normal routines while observing health recommendations. It can be overwhelming to lead a team during a crisis; some workers are confused while others are worried and frustrated. As a leader, you need to develop strategies to keep your team focused during these times.

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People Management Tips from a Successful UK SME

Many business owners excel at the core activities of their company but can struggle with the supporting functions that come with it. It’s certainly true to say that not every business owner is a natural leader and manager of people, and nor would they consider themselves to be. However, this is something that must be learned, at least until the business is large enough to hire someone who is if the SME is to be a success. So what are the realities of people management for business owners? We spoke to Vasco de Castro, the co-founder and business development director to find out what he has learned about people management during his time at the helm of the new international workplace fruit provider Fruitful Office. 1. Make your team the focus of the business It’s the business owner who has grown the company from the ground up, so it can be difficult to let go. However, once you start taking on staff, it’s important to step back and play a supporting role. The tendency is to think the business is all about you, but it’s the people who work for you that play a key part in creating the business’s culture. Making time for your team on a personal and professional level and listening to any problems or issues they may have is central to the perceptions they form about the business. It’s also important to acknowledge that in their specialist areas, employees may well be more knowledgeable than you. Asking for their input and acting on the insights they provide will help them become a valued part of the business. 2. Let them shine The reason you’ve hired the workers you have is hope that they have the specialist skills you lack, so it’s essential you give them the support and space they need to put those skills to good use. The tendency to micromanage is something business owners should resist at all costs. Understandably, you will be protective of your business, but once you’ve provided clear direction and made your expectations clear, it’s time to step back and let them shine. As Vasco de Castro explains: “In my view, it is the role of the leader to provide the vision for the business and communicate it clearly to employees. It’s then down to the employees to make it happen.” 3. Remember the bad bosses you’ve had in the past When you’re finally in the position to be in charge, remember all those horrible bosses you’ve had along the way and make sure you don’t become them. There are a number of small and simple steps you can take to make your business somewhere your employees actually want to work. Recognizing their achievements, giving them the freedom to make their own decisions, trusting them and actually getting to know them on a personal level all help. However, simply allowing yourself to relax and enjoy what working life has to throw at you has an important part to play in creating a loyal and energized team. What do you think is the key to successful people management in an SME? Do you agree with Vasco de Castro? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Small Business

Building a Brand for Your Small Business

One of the most essential aspects of building a business, no matter how small it is, is establishing an effective brand—especially if you want to make an impression in today’s highly competitive market. But what really does branding mean? And what does it take to create a brand that truly defines what your business really is? Defining Your Brand Think of your brand as your promise to your customer. Its purpose is to deliver a message to your audience, which includes what you have to offer and how your products and services differ from your competitors. Basically, it describes who you are and the image you want people to perceive you to be. However, defining your brand may be easier said than done. After all, it is a journey to your business’s self-discovery. Specifically, it involves defining your company’s mission, your offerings, your reputation, and your qualities. You may have to do some research to find a branding that truly represents your business. Creating Your Visual Brand While a brand is more than just your company’s logo, you’ll want to establish the look of your company by choosing the right image, colors, fonts, and tagline that perfectly represent your ideals. Failing to establish defined brand guidelines is one of the most common mistakes small businesses are doing, which eventually puts all their branding efforts down the drain. Following these guidelines to build a visual brand invokes consistency and gives your brand a clear direction moving forward. Knowing Your Audience If you’re in a rut in developing your brand, you may be failing at getting to know your audience. According to Carfused.com marketing head, Matthew Creole Rees, it is essential to first determine what resonates with your target market before trying to develop a brand. Know your audience by finding out their wants and needs and understanding their habits. This is especially a must for start-ups that are still trying to get their brand across their customers. Using Social Media Social media is a great way to market your brand and to reach out to your target audience, especially for start-up businesses that are still on a tight budget. In this digital age, people spend most of their time on social media, and if you fail to build a consistent social media presence, your business basically does not exist to many. Once you’ve established your presence, the next most crucial thing to do is to maintain it. Being consistent in showing your presence creates a positive impact on your brand’s perception. Your company’s brand dictates the language of your external and internal communication. The people of the marketing team in your company need to know exactly what the company’s brand is so that they can always integrate it in their campaigns and look for better ways to raise the consumers’ awareness of your brand. Going beyond Your Logo Your brand’s logo may create a significant impact on your audience at first glance, but a brand has to go beyond the visuals in order for it to become effective. In the end, it’s not just about what you do but more about why you do it that makes a brand more impactful. A brand should reflect your culture. For example, if you are keen on maintaining a drug-free workplace, get your workers to understand your cause before administering blood drug tests. This way, they will understand the implications of such health requirements, especially in occupations and industries where safety is of the highest priority, such as in operating machinery. Building a brand may seem like an overwhelming phase—and you may think that getting started is already difficult as it is—but it’s maintaining that brand that’s actually more challenging. Read More: How Personal Branding Online Can Help Your Job Search Top 5 Graphic Design Trends For 2017 5 Most Common Challenges Faced Bye Commerce Businesses Toda Tips For Creating Effective Portable Trade Show Displays Source: customlogocases.com

Ready to Take the Leap into Self-Employment? Here’s How to Set up an Awesome Home Office

Working from a home office can be amazing. A study showed that 3.9 million Americans have gone the way of a home office. It can help you have a work-life balance, and you don't have to commute anywhere. Dress codes are flexible too. To maximize your efficiency, you need an awesome home office. Here are some helpful tips to make sure you create a space that inspires you to work. Where Will You Have Your Office? Decide what part of your home you will work in. For some, there aren't many options, so it's off to the sofa or kitchen table for work. For others, there is that perfect space that will minimize outside distractions, and let you move around freely. Plan Your Awesome Home Office: Now you need to plan how to make your space comfortable. If you live in an area where it gets cold, you want to be able to work without shivering. This is where you should consider your options for window coverings and flooring. Painting, flooring, and the structures in your space are the canvas for a home office that will serve you best. Before you move anything in, see what you want to change first. Prepare Your Seat: It goes without saying that you need to be able to sit comfortably while you do your best work. A quality office chair with multiple adjustments, like the ones at winc.com.au, will allow you to find that sweet spot where you can focus for hours without any aches. Have Good Lighting: Set up your work area close to a window. You want to get your daily share of vitamin D from natural light. It will help your mood, and will also look great. Don't stop there. You need a few more lamps so that you can read and use other parts of your workspace when the sun isn't shining. Plan Against Clutter: How much time do you spend per year searching for papers? You can plan to prevent that. Having stacks of books and paper around your desk will hamper your productivity. Your things have to go somewhere, so decide how you will store them. Perhaps you have another room for that. What will you use for storage? A file cabinet or some modern looking boxes on a shelf? If you have a lot of wires in your office, add cord holder under your desk and minimize how many extension cords you need. Walking into a tidy home office setup feels great. It's only one of the secrets of a productive home office. Add Some Comfort: You don't need to do all work at a desk. Sometimes you need a space where you move, stretch, and have some time to think. A sitting area is great to have if your space allows for it. Thinking about adding in a soft chair, leather ottoman, coffee table, rugs, and lamps. With a space like this, you will be happy to take a thinking break or invite clients over. Personalize Your Space: Now you can put your own special touch on your home office. Designer posters, personal photos, or one differently painted focus wall are only a few ways you can start to achieve this. Do you have a style you love, but it's not right for your entire home? Your home office could be the place for that. Remember to cater to you first. If you like your space, you'll work better in it. The Perfect Office Setup: There is no one solution, but by knowing yourself and how you work, you can fit these tips into an awesome home office that suits your style. If you're starting to work from home this year, check out our small business section for more helpful posts. Read Also: Necessary Spaces To Include In Building Your Office 6 Techniques To Improve Your Work-From-Home Career

Principles for Leading Your Company through COVID-19 Crisis

Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 at the Workplace