As the first quarter of 2020 comes to a close, business owners, investors, and employees have to reevaluate their personal and professional goals. The coronavirus crisis continues to stress our healthcare infrastructure, cripple economic activity, and create unimaginable uncertainty for many individuals and families.
Not only has the virus changed the way we live and work, but it has also created an opportunity for us to reassess our goals, reconnect with our personal connections, and reengage in professional activity. Whether you are social distancing or sheltering at home, here are several ways to hit the ground running after the crisis subsides.
Leverage LinkedIn
Many of us are now working from home. This new reality requires new ways to connect. If you don’t have a profile, create one today. There are plenty of resources online that will show you how.
If you already have a profile, reach out to clients and prospects. Ask them how they are doing and if there is anything that you can help them with. Become a go-giver. By positioning yourself as a resource, you will develop and strengthen your professional relationships. These outreach efforts can lead to new clients or employment opportunities.
Embrace Video
If you were camera-shy before, you’ll need to adapt. During the coronavirus crisis, many companies are using Zoom for video conferencing, and social distancing has changed the way that we socialize. From webinars to online meetups, getting on camera is now the norm.
Make sure you have adequate lighting before you go live. To keep your viewers focused on you, and not what’s going on in your house, I also recommend using a webaround or collapsable backdrop. The more comfortable you become with using video, the more natural your communication will appear. Video is a great way to build and maintain a human connection during these times.
Control Your Calendar
Famed management guru Peter Drucker is credited with the saying, “What gets measured, gets managed.” If you aren’t proactively planning your day, you will find yourself reacting to the events that occur throughout the day. If you are working remotely, an unlimited number of distractions can and will compete for your attention.
Give yourself the opportunity to control your time. If you have the flexibility to schedule your time, make sure that you tackle the most important tasks first. Limit personal calls, eliminate TV and social media during your most productive hours. You will find yourself working more efficiently and effectively.
Revisit Your Investment Strategy
If you own a business, are a real estate investor, own publicly traded securities, or engage in more than one of the aforementioned activities, now is the time to revisit your investment strategy. The coronavirus crisis has caused tremendous volatility throughout the economic spectrum. It is crucial that you communicate with your financial, legal, and tax professionals to assess your portfolios and mitigate risk.
While asset prices and cash flows have taken a hit, there are going to be plenty of opportunities to generate wealth for the astute investor. As Baron Rothschild, an 18th-century British nobleman and banker once said, “Buy when there’s blood in the streets.”
No one can say for certain when this crisis will subside. It’s important to practice new routines to improve our productivity. The world has changed and change can be uncomfortable. By continuing to cultivate our networks, developing new skills, and improving our personal performance, we can emerge from this crisis stronger than ever.
from Black Enterprise https://ift.tt/3c4ipp1
