Have you Pivoted
so many times,
you feel like a
Fidget Spinner?

Before 2020, few people knew or used the word PIVOT. But recently it has become a trend. Many are coming out of the woodwork, from a stance of “Let’s wait and see what happens”, to a more panicked: “If we don’t do something NOW, we’re dead in the water!”

And many people knew the answer for some time already, but “never had the time to get it going”: MOVE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ONLINE: Be DIGITAL.

We were able to help people facilitate this, and here is some learning I did along the way:

Respond Fast

I was in the fortunate position that our little company had been thinking about changing direction, or pivoting, that November before COVID hit. Much of our studio was packed into boxes, when Lockdown was announced. Because we didn’t have a venue, I was blessed to be able to share a boardroom, and later a suite, at Red Pepper Pictures.

We immediately began operating with an emergency services certificate, as a Pop-up Studio, delivering training content and video services. Our very sharp client, Jason Goldberg from 10xEntrepreneur, speedily developed a Covid Survival Kit for Companies - and we were thrilled to be able to help create the video component for him.

You can see the full range of the 10xToolkit on the FNB App for FREE!

Watch the full range of all thirty mind-blowing clips on the FNB website, or download the FNB App for FREE! 

We produced almost 30 x 20 minute interviews, gratis, before we finally had an interested sponsor.

Build Strong Partnerships

One hard lesson that I learnt after the first hard Lockdown was the importance of making the right choices in partnerships. As much as it is true that we can get through this by collaboration and adding value, rather than be in competition, it is nevertheless important to retain your own business focus. Don’t get lost in a collaborative vision; it blurs your own strategy to pivot or change smartly.

And don’t do handshake deals. Get it on paper! Mistakes can set you back terribly. If a partnership is wrong for you, cut ties immediately. (Note to self: EXPENSIVE LESSON)

Explore Flexibility

For a short contract arrangement, we housed the Tycoon Tribe studio inside WeWork Sandton. Although shared office spaces are the way to go in future, this particular company’s model isn’t geared for small businesses at all. For local business, where your clients need to find you, it is still important to be easily accessible. People want a plug-and-play solution and it is going to be important for your system and operation to be as flexible as possible.

And you have to be ready to break down your offering into any one component that is of value to your clients. They may not want or need the entire package, so be ready to do piece-meal work too.

Remember Your VALUE

Even though we are all under the cosh to produce and to keep alive – particularly small companies – you have to make sure that people understand the value that you bring.

 

In these times I got ambushed once or twice into delivering far more than clients could afford. I don’t mind small businesses pleading poverty; I understand pressing budgets very well. But I do want people to recognise when I have pulled out all the stops to deliver more than expected on their budget. It seems in these times, even people in large corporates, sometimes need to be reminded of their rationality.

It is possible that people deal with so much of their own stresses, that they don’t always understand when they’re being unreasonable to small suppliers. I believe that it is fair to let them know in these instances.

And if they take exception to this; you’re probably better off finding kinder clients.

The Quick Pivot Checklist

  • It isn’t business as usual; there is no going back! There is no normal. Adjust. Adapt. DO IT NOW.
  • Face-to-face delivery is going to be vulnerable for some time to come; see if you can at least deliver a part of your service or offering via VIDEO.
  • The future is Digital. If you’re not online yet, strategise now. Could online LMS (Learning Management Systems) work for you? 
  • Your clients are in New York, Paris and London. They may just not know about you yet. Think GLOBAL.
  • To avoid jumping in front of a Zoom camera at every opportunity, sometimes at the strangest hours, it seems a no-brainer that EVERGREEN Webinars & Short Online Workshops are the way to go.
  • Don’t be afraid to ASK FOR HELP. It could be overwhelming.

But you can do this; I’ve been there for a while now, working with video and LMS and evergreen webinars.

Ask me how.