Would your business continue on without your daily input if you were called away today? Is your business ready for the unexpected?
There are many reasons in life that could cause you to have to leave your business for an extended amount of time – pregnancy, adoption, caring for a loved one and personal medical issues are a few. The thing is, we really don’t know what is around the corner. And being prepared for unexpected events such as these are so often not thought of until they happen, and you are left scrambling around to keep things afloat and running.
Preparing for the unexpected is just good business, and can save you money, time and stress. But where do you start?
Here are three important areas in your business to consider in such circumstances:
I. Customer Communication
Retaining and attracting new customers is imperative so that your business doesn’t atrophy.
Content: Having content that is prepared in advance and ready to go by way of welcome and nurturing sequences, passive product funnels, waitlists and autoresponders keep your clients, established and new, satisfied and coming back for more.
Customer support: Having a system in place where your customers can get support if they need it in your absence is vital.
II. Workflow
Systems and Guidelines: The daily workflow of your business should be established with systems and guidelines that allow your team to continue on without your input, and according to your wishes.
Chain of Command: So that all team members know where to get the information and guidance they need in your absence, a chain of command should be established and the main contact person designated.
Workflow Distribution: Having the right people doing the right things for their skill level is extremely important for cost efficiency.
III. Team Members
Training Existing Team Members: At times, it makes sense to train existing team members to take on additional responsibilities, if she or he has the capabilities to do so.
Onboarding New Members: Part of your preparation could also include onboarding a new team member such as an OBM or a retainer VA to bring in the skills set that you require in your absence.
Standard Operating Procedures: Having documentation showing the workflow and how-tos for different tasks saves a great deal of time and frustration if one of your team members leaves unexpectedly and others must take over their task load, or when onboarding. Without proper SOPs, the time spent (and cost) outsourcing and training a new team member can be daunting, and takes many valuable hours away from the core activities of your business. Think of your SOP as an insurance policy, both for your day-to-day business and your sanity.
Is your business ready for the unexpected? Set up a complimentary discovery call with me to find out!
Have any comments, suggestions, or personal experiences you want to share? Please comment below!
Recent Comments