The COVID-19 crisis has transformed the business world in just a few months, leaving few companies unaffected. While different organizations have adopted different ways of coping with the economic fallout, some have managed to stay afloat by sticking to their guns.
In difficult moments, it can be tempting to switch everything up and forge a new path for your business. While this might work, the reality is that most companies can’t afford to rapidly restructure their business model. Playing to your business’s strengths in times of uncertainty may feel like a risk, but it’s the best option in the long run.
Admittedly, staying in your lane during times like these is easier said than done. But several businesses have figured out ways to do so — and prosper. Here’s how:
1. By focusing on delivery
People are hesitant to go out, and it’s easy to see why — even the simplest trip to the grocery store can carry unwanted risks. Countries and states are lifting shelter-in-place orders, but many consumers are in no rush to get out. These conditions have created an environment in which delivery-focused businesses can thrive. While blue-chip organizations like Amazon continue to prosper, the space has opened up for smaller players to stake a claim as well.
One example is Nurx, a telehealth company that offers prescriptions like birth control, delivered directly to their patients’ doorsteps. Doctors’ offices and pharmacies are some of the places most affected by COVID-19. As a result, patients look for options that allow them to get the medications they need without leaving the house. Nurx empowers people to consult with medical professionals and get the prescriptions they need online. The brand facilitates a much-needed service while sticking to the core of its business.
2. By connecting the separated
As soon as families became separated and parties were canceled, people tried to connect virtually. No platform can perfectly re-create the in-person experience, but several became overnight successes. While companies like Zoom have dominated headlines, they’re not the only ones that have helped people stay in touch.
Discord, one of the most popular platforms for communication over text and audio, recently incorporated a new drop-in, drop-out videoconferencing tool. Discord’s goal is to facilitate casual conversation. Incorporating video chat functionality that lacks some of Zoom’s formal features allows users to stay in touch without betraying the company’s mission.
3. By boosting cloud services
As businesses consider the future of their brick-and-mortar offices, work-from-home models are the norm for many. While workers may value the flexibility, an entirely remote workforce poses challenges for business, the biggest of which is managing digital infrastructure. In the office, all computers are on one network, protected by a central cybersecurity platform. What happens when the office goes home?
For several companies, cloud-based IT management firm Flexera has been the answer to that question. A recent Flexera survey showed that 57 percent of businesses are using cloud services more than they had expected to. That can lead to significant connectivity strain. By offering a platform to facilitate remote IT work, Flexera and its competitors have been crucial for many businesses making the transition.
4. By making life at home bearable
Once employees are home, they’ll look for ways to build a proper working environment. Most offices are loaded with amenities and tools that make any workday much easier. Your workers’ homes probably don’t, however. Particularly for workers making a long-term commitment to remote work, the right setup is crucial.
Vari has been one of the go-tos for workers looking to beef up their home office. Vari’s products transition from sitting desks to standing desks and back again. Workers choose the position they prefer at at any given time. Different employees need different things to succeed outside the office, but the right desk is crucial.
Not every company will be able to maximize on its strengths today, but there’s no predicting what’s around the corner. By homing in on what makes your business different, you’re prepared to capitalize on whatever comes next.
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