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| Thursday, February 11, 2010 |
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Entrepreneurial Lessons from the Blizzard of 2010
By Eric Koefoot @ 1:58 PM :: 577 Views ::
0 Comments :: Eric Koefoot Blog, Start Up World
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Snowmageddon. Snoverkill. Snow 'nuf. Call it what you want, but here on the East Coast, the winter of 2009-2010 is one for the record books. It is now officially the snowiest winter on record here in DC. (Heck, we have 3-5 more weeks to slap a few more inches on top of the record - why not?)
But from underneath the masses of snow come lessons learned for neighbors and entrepreneurs alike. So let's have some fun and jot down a few lessons from the past few days... from Snowmageddon to Startup:
1. Planning is everything.
Did you have shovels, salt, and a good pair of gloves? How about a snowblower? Was your car equipped with snow tires, or did you just have "half-a-job" all-season radials? And how about a full refrigerator?
And how did your company fare when people could not get into work? Did you have contingency plans? Did you keep your products and services flowing as best possible? Plans are not just for big companies - we all need to keep business up and running when the unexpected happens.
2. Alternative execution capability is a must-have.
Did you have more than one way to deal with the snow? Shovels and salt? Snowblower or friend with one? A store within walking distance or an AWD? Sure is nice to have a backup plan so when Plan A fails, Plan B, C, or D keep you solid.
And in your startup, could your employees telework? What percentage of your team could do their jobs from home this past week? I'd hope that many could do so. Whether it is access to information, systems and applications, or communications infrastructure, teleworking is much easier and less costly to provision than ever before, so do it now!
3. Customers still want service.
At home, maybe it is your kids or relatives. They still need food, water, and (especially) entertainment. Just because it is snowing does not mean that their expectations for you are lower.
The same is true in your business. Yes, customers are understanding (for the most part) if you are a little slower than normal - unless you are the Department of Transporation clearing roads - but they still expect service even during unexpected conditions. In fact, the company that comes through will truly differentiate themselves versus competition, since most companies just choke during hard times.
4. Teamwork is more important than ever.
Did your kids help out clearing the snow? How about your friends and neighbors? Perhaps the human element is at its best when things are at their worst. People chip in, unasked, to help each other through the crisis - often without asking anything in return.
And for entrepreneurs, yes, I write often about the power of teamwork, trust, and collaboration for a shared goal. But when things go awry, the Musketeer culture of "all for one, one for all" you have built beforehand really shines. People know who needs help first, and they gladly lend a hand. Job descriptions are thrown out the window as cross-trained professionals all grab shovels and dig in unison.
5. Communication still rules.
Knowing what the forecaster is calling for is critical. Knowing road conditions before you venture out can save your life. And knowing when help will arrive if you lost power or have 3' of snow on your street is reassuring.
In your business it is the same -- be honest with your customers, your team, and your partners. Let them know what is happening and what you are doing about it. You'd be surprised how many will offer to help, even if it is not in any contract or even paid for in any way. The healthy business relationships you've built over the months and years will pay dividends in ways you never imagined. And I might add - do the same in reverse: check with your employees, your customers, and your business partners and see if there is anything you can do to help them. Even if the answer is no, you've built good will that often comes back around to you in unexpected ways.
So as you dig your home out of the snow, take some time to think about how your business "shoveled out". Were you prepared? Did you handle it well? And are you ready for the next big one?
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