|
|
May 2020
Monthly Newsletter
for the NAWBO San Francisco Bay Area Chapter
|
|
Message from the President
|
|
"Invest in Future-proofing"
The world changed almost overnight due to COVID-19.
How has your risk-based approach changed?!
Work from home and stay in place orders have drastically changed the way we work and live. For businesses that have adjusted well to the crisis, it's important to increase their focus on continuity planning. While the adjustments made might not be ideal, this pandemic appears to be an opportune moment to increase your business' resilience and utilize it as a competitive advantage in this increasingly complex and ever changing interconnected global system.
Using this "downtime" to retool outdated systems with newer innovative platforms could help to uncover new growth opportunities in the shifting landscape. Successful companies will transform the need to find new ways of working and turn them into new permanent ways to make their teams even more efficient when the economy comes back online, thus preparing ourselves to future proof our businesses.
Leadership matters more than ever so step up and lead!
In service,
Nooshin Behroyan, NAWBO SFBA President 2020
|
Surviving Coronavirus: What Small Businesses Should Be Doing Right Now
|
During the last month or so, post coronavirus and the new social distancing, we have noted two trends among our clients, especially those who operate in technology and small business sectors.
First, we've seen organizations of all sizes doubling down on their marketing efforts. We learned from the 2008-09 recession how important it is not to shut down marketing and advertising. Rather, this is an opportune time to review our efforts, connect with our audiences, and look for ways to help and serve, which brings us to the second trend we've noticed.
The second trend we've noted is an uptick in virtual events and meetings. Since we've been a leader in producing and hosting virtual events since 2008, many of our clients, followers, and friends have been reaching out to us. They have been asking for advice on the best platforms, tools, people, and processes to help them produce virtual programs and conferences. We've created a detailed, step-by-step guide that will help you get started on producing virtual events, no matter what size your business may be or what product or service you sell.
What follows are four things that small businesses should be doing today to help recover from losses caused by COVID-19, and also to prepare themselves for the future, should something like this happen again.
Create Pitch-Perfect Messaging
Don't be tone-deaf in your marketing messages - Acknowledge what your community is going through. It's OK to continue to do business, but want to have an empathetic approach to your marketing and advertising messages. For example, in this video, I talk about receiving marketing messages from a travel company that said now was a great time to book travel to the Caribbean. Obviously that company had scheduled that message before the COVID-19 restrictions took place, but a savvy marketing team would have paused those automated messages and pivoted toward more helpful, empathetic messaging during this time. Which brings me to my next point ...
Slow Down Your Selling and Ramp Up Your Helping
You run a for-profit company, and you have every right to earn income for your small business. After all, you've got stakeholders to support, and that includes employees if any, vendors, suppliers, customers, owners and your local community! But consider how your sales pitches might land on someone who's really struggling with their own supply chains.
Rather than extending a hand and asking for something, try extending a virtual hand and asking your community how they are doing and how you can help.
Be empathetic and helpful - Now is not the time for the hard sales pitches. How can you help your customers and followers? Now is the time to be creative and think outside of the box! We have seen some of our favorite local restaurants offering takeout and deliveries, and our local wine shop is now offering curbside pickup!
|
NAWBO Sacramento Valley
Creating Business Growth in Uncertain Economic Times
Thursday, May 28, 2020 | 11:45 a.m. PST
NAWBO Silicon Valley
The Secrets to Being Clear, Memorable and Influential
Tuesday, May 19, 2020 | 4:30 p.m. PST
|
NAWBO National Virtual Programming
To Connect and Support You
|
NAWBO Virtual Lunch and Learn
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
12:00 p.m. EST (9:00 a.m. PST)
Revitalizing Business Post COVID-19 Quarantine
Presented by: Michele Bennyhoff, NAWBO Sacramento
We've all been shaken by COVID-19. Even businesses that are still functioning are finding the need to shift how they operate. Instead of waiting for the "new normal" to happen to you, it's time to be proactive and create your own future. Learn to pivot by identifying opportunities around you and positioning your strengths to meet new demands.
|
NAWBO Virtual Happy Hour
Friday, May 22, 2020
5:00 p.m. EST (2:00 p.m. PST)
Kick off the long weekend by joining NAWBO National Board members Molly Gimmel and Susan Dawson on Zoom for a virtual happy hour!
|
NAWBO 45th Birthday Celebration
June 15-19, 2020
NAWBO has been on the frontlines advocating for women business owners since the '70s. Now, we celebrate the past, present and future of this organization. We invite you to celebrate with us for a week of virtual festivities.
|
Upcoming Events in the Bay Area
|
Virtual Small Business Expo
June 10-11, 2020 | 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
August 4-5, 2020 | 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
|
|
Thank You to Our Sponsors
|
|
|
|
|