What Can You And Your Business Do About The Weather?
We all like to discuss the weather and especially like to complain when we have long periods of bad weather. This can have a negative impact on you and your staff and it can also impact your business. So what can you and your business do about the weather?
Accept that the weather is outside of your control. Unfortunately the weather is totally outside of your control so accept this and stop trying to control the uncontrollable.
Stop wasting time discussing and worrying about it. How much time have you and your staff spent discussing the weather today? What could you have done to benefit the business in this time?
Focus on what you can control. It is very easy to spend time in your business focusing on things that are outside of your control but you will achieve much better business results if you keep focused on what you can control.
Consider how your business can take advantage of the weather. How can your business take advantage of the weather? Could you sell particular products and services? Maybe you could have a special promotion?
Stay positive. Your attitude rubs off on all those that you come into contact with. If you and your staff stay positive this will be infectious, those around you will pick up on your positive energy and customers will want to do business with you.
Understand how different types of weather impact your business. Consider how different types of weather impact your business and plan accordingly. You will then be ahead of your competitors and ready for whatever the weather throws at you.
Build resilience to the weather into your business. Your business may currently be dependent on particular weather to succeed. Look at introducing other products and services that enable your business to benefit whatever the weather.
Prepare a contingency plan. Assess the risks to your business from extreme weather, prepare a plan of what your business will do if faced with different events (e.g. flooding, power cuts, delayed deliveries, not being able to access your offices etc.), assign responsibilities and ensure your staff are fully trained on the plan. Check that your contact lists are up to date and accessible on and off site and test your plan.
Cross train your staff to reduce dependency on individual people. It is important to ensure that more than one person can do each business job so that you are prepared if some staff cannot get into work.
Ensure your business has the right insurance. Review your business insurance policies to make sure you are covered for the key risks (e.g. damage, business interruption etc.).
Take a break in a sunnier climate. If the weather is really getting you down then it is maybe time to take a break to a warmer destination. This will not only lift your mood, but will recharge your batteries, give you time to think and enable you to step back and consider your business in a different light.
So you cannot change the weather, but you can change how you and your business plan for and react to the weather!
Author: Liz Makin
Published: July 2012
Makin It Happen has a range of personal development online courses to purchase, created by Liz Makin, including anxiety management, communication, resilience, soft skills, stress management, time management and coaching. Liz Makin also provides personalised business coaching, business mentoring and stress management services to business owners, directors, managers and professionals.
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