Times like these have never been seen by most people on the planet. There is virtually no one that has a memory of similar circumstances. From January of 1918 through December of 1920 the Spanish Flu pandemic engulfed the world. Hundreds of millions contracted the Spanish Flu and millions died worldwide. It is not clear if our current situation is going to be as severe. What we do know is that the world community is about to experience massive changes.
As for our professional lives change is happening as we speak. We do know how the economy will respond. Some of us were around during the great recession of 2008 and saw how the economy adapted to the new environment. Here is what it means to us, their will be layoffs and many will have to adapt by making career changes. However, there are sectors that will experience immediate growth grocery and large retailers, trucking/transportation, on-line retail and virtual communication sectors are examples.
The point of this note is to understand that we can be a part of the recovery even before the present crisis peaks. Booming sectors are about to emerge. I am going to take the approach of being an integral part of the new normal. I recently heard a quote that is applicable “provide customers what they want and help them imagine what they need.” As a sales professional I am going to feed the need.
As companies and individuals adapt to these changes, they will need consultative support. We can help them with these needs. We can talk them through the change process and provide the services needed to modernize their business. These relationships are meaningful and can last throughout your time in the field as a business consultant.
For those of us used to working in the field we will need to adapt to using technology as opposed to visiting clients in person. For those that work at the office we will need to get used to working from home. We will have to adapt to our family issues of daycare and schooling. We will have to adapt to limitations on our movements and we must adapt our social skills in order to stay connected to our family and friends.
I like you have heard several times in the last week, “We just are not comfortable making any commitments at this time.” I then go through my objection handling and then close again. But in the end those clients are not going to commit at this time. I am going to adapt. I have family and friends that are in the energy field. They are in desperation mode. There options are very limited within their current field.
I am going to adapt to the new normal. I will look for those new clients that will be starting up. I will approach existing clients that are positioned correctly about ramping up. I will attempt to get out in front the emerging fields of business. I feel fortunate to be in an industry that has the capability to adapt. So let me end this post the same way that I am starting every email that I send out. I hope you, your coworkers and your family are doing well. Let’s feed the need.
Green Life Cafe 