Times of uncertainty – fear of recessions, inflation, and overall economic downturn – do not mean you are destined to fail in your business. It simply means you must find a strategy that works in this environment. As a survivor of multiple disasters – floods, fires, riots, earthquakes, recession, inflation, 9/11, and other challenges, I understand what it takes to make it in uncertain times and a pattern for success in difficult times. You can grow in uncertain times if you know where to adjust.
Lack of Control Causes Fear
So much is happening in the world around us that seems out of our control, and fear is the natural reaction to uncertainty. Fear triggered in this way is actually a control issue. When we sense that the events around us are completely out of our control, we begin to micromanage our environment. It is human nature to listen to the news and dig into data, and before we know it, we have shifted our focus to every bad thing happening – and we do what most people do – what we are wired to do – we go into protection mode. We become overly careful, begin to preserve our money, and look at every situation through the lens of caution. The problem with this mode is that when we become reactionary, we focus only on the bad that can happen. When in reality, recessions and downturns are where the most opportunities exist because so many people are living in fear and afraid to take them.
Look For The Opportunities
Downturns and recessions are the perfect times to look for opportunities that don’t typically exist. Should you be conscious and aware of what is happening around you – absolutely, but you should use these times to your advantage. You can make strides during these uncertain times when you hone in on your strengths and understand how your products and services fit into this new environment. One of the most important things that I recommend you do is go back to the drawing board and develop a serious strategy; how you will adjust and make your way through what everyone is experiencing right now – what makes you relevant?
Adjust Your Offer
Now is the time to evaluate your offer – your product or service – and adjust it precisely to solve a problem your clients are having. If you are not making these critical adjustments to your offer and what you provide, you are doing yourself a disservice. These market conditions require shifts and changes that fit the times, and if you are holding on to “what used to work for you,” you will struggle to make it in this new environment. That is my most significant advice for anyone looking to make it in our current business environment. Look at your products and services and ask yourself some tough questions: Is your language relevant? Does your product or service address people’s needs and concerns right now? What changes do you need to make to be relevant and offer something that solves others’ problems?
At the Growth Architect, everything we do revolves around strategies, systems, and workflows, and we want to help you continue to grow your business even in uncertain times. If you are unsure where to start or what your biggest barrier to growth is, I invite you to take our free quiz, and within a couple of minutes, you will know exactly where to begin making changes to grow your business. If you want to hear more about making bold moves toward facing fear and finding ways to grow your business even in uncertain times, then watch my video.
Let’s grow!
Beate
Beate Chelette is The Growth Architect & Founder of The Women’s Code, a training company specialized in providing companies an ROI on Balanced Leadership. She has been named one of 50 must-follow women entrepreneurs by the Huffington Post. A first-generation immigrant who found herself $135,000 in debt as a single parent, she bootstrapped her passion for photography into a highly successful global business and eventually sold it to Bill Gates in a multimillion-dollar deal.
Beate works with business leaders and supports organizations by developing and providing training the training, tools, and expertise to create and maintain a balanced, equal, and inclusive work environment that fosters creativity, employee engagement, and corporate growth.
Recent clients include Merck, Women’s Legislative Caucus of California, Cal State University Dominguez Hills, Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), NFTE, CreativeLive, the Association of Corporate Growth, and TracyLocke.
Beate is the author of the #1 International Amazon Bestseller “Happy Woman Happy World – How to Go From Overwhelmed to Awesome” a book that corporate trainer and best-selling author Brian Tracy calls “a handbook for every woman who wants health, success and a fulfilling career.
To book Beate to speak or train please connect here. Your Time Is Valuable!