Opportunities for the New Normal (Moving Forward)

I—like I’m sure everyone else on the planet—have been thinking about this season we are now facing. Surreal is a fitting word for it. Unprecedented also comes to mind. The buzzword that most people are using now as we forge ahead is “new normal.” 

As I was thinking about what that means, I believe that you never enter the same river twice, and the new “normal” world that is going to emerge from this crisis may forever be different from the old one for many industries. 

This new chapter will inevitably lead to the end of—or at least the weakening of—many businesses. Due to this, organizations have been reeling, trying to pivot and adapt to survive. The panic is almost palpable in a way, and it seems to be universal. But I—and AMPlify—want to help you meet these new challenges head-on and without fear. 

Silver Lining

One thing that can help you move forward is knowing that there are benefits to anticipate with the new normal. For one, it will open up opportunities that will ultimately lead to the redistribution of capital, both at the local and global levels.

So, what are some of these new opportunities? 

New Opportunities and Trends on the Horizon

Thanks to the sudden universal enforcement of social distancing, digital transformation has progressed at rocket speed. Supply chains are also becoming more regionalized, much of which is due to ever-changing operational and governmental requirements. Accompanying the recent shifts in government regulations and priorities, we have seen the emergence of new growth markets in response.

The challenge facing us now is how we will go about responding. To do so successfully will require being proactive and pivoting to strategically adapt and reap the benefits and new opportunities the new normal presents.

At AMPlify, we want to help you navigate these changes and empower you to own this new space in the emerging corporate world by seizing these opportunities. To start, here are just a few ideas to begin:

Think Local

The current pandemic has presented the opportunity to focus on your local customer base, to turn sporadic local customers into steady, faithful clients. With the restrictions on travel, most of us are spending much more (if not all) of our time staying at home and looking around to see our communities and neighborhoods with new eyes. Because of this, many would-be customers in your local area are now adopting a new mantra: Support local businesses because that is what is keeping us afloat. This is the prime time to make your presence known and let potential local clients know you are “open for business.” 

Work on Your Web Presence

As mentioned before, digital is king, and online is where it’s at. With everyone being stuck at home and doing almost everything online—including business and all shopping/transactions—now is the time to make your presence known on the worldwide web. The bottom line is: If they can’t find your business online and easily, they won’t become customers, and you are missing out.

The good news is that you do not have to invest a ton of money in high-tech software or spend lots on online advertising. Simple steps—like revamping your website or setting up a simple e-commerce site if it suits your product—can take you to the next level and ensure you are seen.  

Create Your Competitive Edge

With the world in crisis, people are watching. Specifically, they are looking to see how businesses will respond to the current upheaval taking place worldwide. Take advantage of these inquisitive eyes, and show them something good. What I mean by this is basically anything that can help set you apart from the rest and show consumers that you are committed to weathering this storm while working to continue improving your product, your local community, and the lives of those around you, including your workers. 

A few ideas for incorporating this idea into your business brand include: giving back and integrating your brand into your local community by volunteering, donating to charity, and more. Do everything you can to make your customers feel that their investment in you is safe, and they are too. It can be through transparency in best practices amid the pandemic regarding safety measures and products or providing peace of mind about the business’s longevity (that you plan to still be around to serve and supply them when the proverbial pandemic dust settles). 

Better Business Efficiency

Businesses have had to completely revamp how they operate. While stressful and inconvenient, you can also look at this as an opportunity to step back and reassess everything, then rebuild and pivot according to a much better and more efficient operational model for this new normal, long-term. 

Increased Innovation

Along similar lines as focusing on improved efficiency is the opportunity presented for increased innovation. Even if the “old way” your business was doing things was working for you, we are entering a new frontier, and people now have different needs and demands. To pivot successfully to meet those needs and demands, it will require creative innovation. It will also require asking the right questions and pinpointing what has shifted in this new landscape for your customer base, and what has that shift resulted in them seeking that differs from before? Once you figure that out, innovate to meet them there.

You Are Not Alone

Perhaps the most important takeaway is the reassurance that you are not alone in all of this. AMPlify is here for you, ready to provide all of the resources and support you need to successfully navigate this new normal and beyond. Contact AMPlify today to hear how we can meet your unique needs.