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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Six Pointers to Starting a Successful Business

So you've decided to bite the bullet and start up your very own business. If it's the first time you've ever dared to create your own venture, you're probably intimidated. But if your passion is deep and your willingness to work is significant, a lot can happen. But first, you must address some first steps to starting a successful business. Here are our tips and pointers to doing just that: 6 Pointers to Starting a Successful Business: 1. Create a Plan and Implement It: The most essential step to founding a new business is to simply start. Research and create a plan that details the sequence of steps you need to take to create a business from scratch, approximately how long it will take to implement each step and your budget for each stage. Sticking to a blueprint will help you focus on your long and short-term business goals and keep you from getting distracted. Take advantage of the many free and paid resources across the Internet that help you structure and create a business plan. Once you have a plan you've researched inside-out, follow it! 2. Learn to Delegate: You may be tempted -- particularly if you are on a shoestring budget -- to establish your business on your own. But this is not the best path to business success. With the budget that you have, consider enlisting the help of a virtual assistant, a mentor or volunteers that help you get out of the day-to-day minutiae of your business. Doing this will enable you to focus on the bigger decisions and strategies that help you automate and build systems that keep the business running on a day-to-day basis. Don't skimp on just hiring anyone though, really invest time in finding the best employees for the position you are advertising. Employees who are intent on helping you with the best of themselves will be the lifeblood of your enterprise. 3. Investigate Your Audience: If you're able to think of five independent profiles of customers off the top of your head who'd be interested in your product or service, then you're on to something. Investing time and thought into finding out crucial information about your target audience is incredibly important to your business. Ask yourself the following questions: What target group would buy your products? Why would they value your product enough to buy it? When you are able to deeply identify your target audience, you're more likely to be able to figure out avenues of how to reach them. Knowing your target audience is what will ultimately guide you in the development of your product or service as well as your marketing. Make it a point to occasionally ask your customers what they think about your market, your product/service, and other such valuable information. If they would support website localization or foreign language subtitling for your onsite videos, for example, you should know about that. Doing this will help you prepare a positive, seamless experience for them from the moment they first hear of you to when they buy your product or service, and beyond. 4. Work Out And Stick To Your Rates: Many business owners make the mistake of charging what they think the market would be willing to pay. But instead, your baseline should be to charge the minimum, or more than the minimum, of what you need to earn to keep your company afloat. Set realistic goals of how much it will cost you to stay in business. Once you have a final figure in your head, set a rate or price that honors that figure while enabling you to make a profit. Try to set a price on the value of your service or product, rather than just cover a simple margin more than what it costs to provide or create the service or product. 5. Tap Into Your Passion: Beyond the nuts and bolts of the plan behind putting your business together, there's the human aspect --- your drive and passion for wanting to make it happen. The truth is that most successful entrepreneurs will often do whatever it takes to make their business successful. Starting a successful business is rarely easy -- it requires long hours, occasional failures, setbacks and disappointments that will make it difficult for you to continue. When you have the drive and determination to overcome these, you are that much more likely to find the success you deserve. 6. Roll Up Your Sleeves and Get Busy: Don't wait until you've got all your eggs in the basket to start putting your business together. Waiting for the right moment means it may never arrive. If you have an idea that is compelling and have undertaken the research and necessary planning to get it off the ground, go for it. But be prepared to learn some tough lessons while adjusting your plan along the way. Start now and commence your journey towards launching a business. Remember, even if you fail, you'll be that much more experienced when you revamp your ideas and strategy and start afresh. Read Also: 4 Business Leadership Skills For Business Success Why Should Retailers Use Pricing Tools For Their Businesses 5 Intelligent Sources To Boost Business Strategies All Over The World 5 Most Common Challenges Faced Bye Commerce Businesses Today

Fast Freight Solutions: Why Expedited Shipping Is A Game-Changer

Logistics providers must prioritize efficiency if they wish to be successful. Consumers want goods immediately, and any delay can lead to losses. Time is of the essence in this industry, so business owners constantly look for ways to streamline their operations and optimize their shipping processes. Expedited shipping is one method they may use to achieve this goal. Speed and time sensitivity are prioritized when this shipping option is selected, and it can be used for less-than-truckload freight and full truckloads. Using this option gives a business a competitive edge by ensuring goods arrive at their destination promptly. With the help of expedited shipping, companies can meet the urgent demands of their consumers quickly and reliably. What Is Expedited Shipping? Expedited Shipping is a kind of specialized service that is based on improving the speed quotient of deliveries. Indeed, it is faster than traditional shipping services. But what makes up for the additional speed? Expedited Shipping uses direct routes whenever possible during any transportation project or logistics delivery. As a result, the transit times are reduced by 50 to 60%. Estimating the layovers and cutting off any other unnecessary delays is also easy. It is the best option for you if you need a time-sensitive delivery. Some orders that badly need Expedited Shipping are urgent posts, delivery of perishable goods, priority shipments like meds, etc. Separating Standard From Expedited Shipping The prime difference between standard and Expedited Shipping is in the delivery speed. The former follows the general delivery schedule and timeframe. However, that might be a few days and, in odd cases, a few weeks But the scenes are different if you’ve booked Expedited Shipping. It assures faster delivery. The maximum time frame is 3 days. However, more than 70% of deliveries take only 24 to 48 hours. You may receive Some of the consignments within 12 hours, too. However, the cost is higher when you expect such fast transit. So, choose Expedited Shipping whenever you need to make an urgent shipment. The Benefits Of Expedited Shipping This shipping option allows goods to reach their destination in less time. Most businesses opt for standard measures whenever possible because they are cost-effective and reliable. However, there are times when shipments must arrive quickly, typically within a day or two after placing the order. Many industries benefit from offering this option. Medical supplies can arrive at their destination rapidly, which is essential because it could be a matter of life or death. Just-in-time production methods are becoming more common in manufacturing, so expedited shipping ensures operational efficiency while minimizing downtime. The company can meet customer demands, giving it a competitive edge. When customers receive their goods on time, they may become loyal clients of the business. In addition, they may leave a positive review and tell their family and friends about the company. Expedited shipping allows the business to stand out and increase its market share. Consumer demands change rapidly. A company must be ready to provide customers with what they want and need. Expedited shipping allows the business to become more agile. It can quickly adapt to seasonal peaks and fluctuating demand. Business owners know the importance of being flexible and nimble, as they saw the importance of having these capabilities during the global pandemic. Lead times lessen when expedited shipping is used. The business can fulfill customer orders quickly while improving its inventory turnover. The short transit times result in cost savings and higher profits. Improved Inventory Management Expedited Shipping can subtly improve inventory management. Firstly, it can reduce the level of stockouts. At the same time, it ensures that the products are available timely. Consequently, the supply chain keeps moving fluidly, and goods reach each touch point promptly. Hence, such moves can reduce the risk of lost sales due to lack of availability. Added Competitive Benefits Imagine any crowded marketplace. If you choose Expedited Shipping there, your business will surely stand out. Often, you will find that customers prefer companies like eBay offer faster delivery than Shein and others. So, standard deliveries are gradually going out of vogue. Meanwhile, Expedited Shipping is taking charge. Most importantly, the advantage is all yours if you’re an ecom company. Most customers (over 90%) expect faster deliveries and quicker checkouts. So, Expedited Shipping has become unmissable, speaking of e-commerce customer satisfaction. What Methods Are Commonly Used The commonly used methods are air freight, dedicated trucking, courier services, express delivery networking, etc. However, the names I mentioned are the prime methods. Air freight out of the four is most helpful for international deliveries or supply of perishables over a short distance. On the other hand, courier companies specialize in using direct local networks for the fastest deliveries. Keeping Costs Down Business owners must know when to use expedited shipping and when other methods serve as the better option. Expedited shipping comes with higher fees to ensure the speed of the delivery. The business may choose to bear these costs or pass them on to consumers, thereby raising the price of the goods. A company might offer tiered shipping levels, allowing customers to choose the level that meets their needs and fits their budget. In addition, the company might decide to collaborate with one or more carriers to negotiate better rates and service-level agreements. This arrangement helps to guarantee consistent performance. Nevertheless, the shipping carrier is only part of the equation. The business must also optimize its order processing workflows. Technology solutions can help the company achieve this goal. It must also manage customer expectations and be transparent throughout the order fulfillment process, from when the order is placed until the goods are delivered. The Bottom Line! Expedited shipping has numerous benefits, but it is wrong for every situation. A business owner must know you need speed and flexibility in shipping to meet customer demands. The customer is always the top priority, so exceeding these expectations will lead to increased loyalty and positive reviews, which every business needs. Read Also: List of Basic Shipping Documents you should be aware of The Importance of Packaging Design in Small Business Success Corporate Hackathon: Benefits To The Employees

5 Critical Branding Tips to Attract New Clients to Your Auto Parts Shop

Building a brand is hard work. You have to really understand your business, your market, and your customers. Then you have to learn all the new social media tricks while keeping your traditional customers happy. Thankfully, getting started doesn't have to be overwhelming. Here are 5 branding tips to help you establish your auto part shop's brand. Basic Branding Tips: Start here before checking out the actionable steps. Before making any branding decisions make sure you have a clear vision of who you are and what you do. We know, we know, it should be obvious that an auto body shop fixes cars right? The trick is conveying that in your branding strategy. Make sure you know exactly what image you want your brand to present. 1. Know Your Existing Brand: When most small businesses set out to build a brand they forget that they already have one. Your reputation with customers, suppliers, and the local community is the foundation of your branding efforts. Ask regulars what they like about the way you do things. Get people to join your mailing or emailing list with each purchase. This lets you find out what the community already thinks about you and shapes your branding efforts going forward. 2. Clarity Is Key: You can have the best, most viral campaign ever and it won't do you any good if people don't know what it's actually for. Make sure any move you make is clear on what your business is. That doesn't mean you need a broken car in every picture. Just be clear in any logos, names, and promotional materials what your business is and what it does. 3. Produce and Display Value: No matter what your business does you have to produce value. That's the only reason people will use your services. Be certain that a value approach drives your small business branding strategy. Don't just go for attention-grabbing techniques. Try to embody the core principles and benefit you bring to customers. Let them know why and how you'll work hard to help them with their problems. A great start would be explaining the long term benefits of high-quality parts. 4. Get Online: No one would accuse an auto parts shop of being a startup. That doesn't mean you can't use the newest customer engagement tools to your advantage. Create profiles for your shop on social media. Find a few hashtags that work for your business and use them strategically. Building a brand takes time and requires you to learn new techniques. Check out sites like https://www.ultrex.com.au/brand/subaru/ for good examples. 5. Always be Scaling: A lot of people slow down once their brand is established. This is a mistake. Creating a brand is just the first step in your business' journey to prosperity. You need to make that brand work for you and your goals. Once you've built your brand image you're perfectly placed to scale. Add in new programs that leverage your existing customer base and brand recognition, such as: Referral programs Giveaways Local sponsorships Email list marketing You want to seamlessly combine old school local business practices with the wonders of modern media. Don't Be Afraid to Try: Establishing a brand from nothing is nerve-wracking. As long as you follow the best branding tips available it can be easier than you think. For more useful branding and small business tips, check out our other articles here. Read Also: 5 Tools That Can Help You Get Your Business Organized How We Could Be Able To Get Benefits From The Outdoor Marketing 4 Simple And Cheap Methods To Attract More Customers For Your Small Business

Principles for Leading Your Company through COVID-19 Crisis

Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 at the Workplace