THE IMPACT OF COVID ON BUSINESS
Has stress forced you to do things differently yet ?
Paul Holmes , PCH Business Support reflects on the impact of the last 12 months and how it ’ s changed life for us all .
It ’ s been a challenging and stressful time for everyone , almost no-one has been immune from the effects of the pandemic , from the loss of friends and relatives or the restrictions to everyday life . While some people have taken this in their stride , for others the toll on mental health has been challenging .
For business owners this has been especially true , the pressure of fighting to keep the business afloat especially in industries completely shut down such as the events sector , trying to avoid losing staff , managing furlough for staff , working out how staff can work from home safely or remain working in an office or factory equally safely .
There have been the mental health challenges for everyone working from home , isolated from colleagues , dealing with Zoom or Teams overload - a new ‘ fatigue ’ identified during the pandemic . From the occasional video meeting prior to March 2020 to now having days of six or seven hours has certainly been a challenge here !
Business owners have had the stress of trying to simply keep the business running right through to seeing incredible demand putting a massive strain on the business , individuals and owners alike . Almost all businesses have been affected in some way even if the stresses have been different .
No businesses could have planned for a pandemic , however those businesses that have weathered the storm , even thrived in it have shown a number of similarities :
• A strong reliance on systems and processes
• A team in place to run operationally day to day
• Business owner with strategic time to evaluate risks and threats , be able to see clearly what ’ s happening and steer the company through it , see opportunities and adapt the business to benefit .
If you , as the business owner are swamped by the day to day running , firefighting , problem solving then during the pandemic it ’ s probably been a very stressful time and for some its been too much to deal with and the business has suffered as a result .
If you are working IN the business trying to just keep your head above the water , now is the time to address the situation , reduce the stress and force yourself to take an hour off , switch off phones and emails .
Use that time to think about what ’ s currently on your plate and write it all down , use mind-mapping to capture everything on an A3 sheet of paper , no matter how small or un business related .
Once everything is written down , your subconscious brain is then satisfied , and the metaphorical weight on your shoulders will start to lift . You can then write an action next to each item , pick the most important one and get that action implemented as soon as possible .
If you know you are stressed in your business and need help to make changes then there is professional help available . Find someone with business experience to bring a different perspective to enable you to take back control and reduce the stress level .
PCH is a business consultancy specialising in helping large companies deal with overwhelm and then plan for growth . Do get in touch .
Paul @ pchbusinesssupport . co . uk 0771 500 8521
CREATING AN OPPORTUNITY FROM A CRISIS
How the pandemic changed a business
It was Albert Einstein who said , “ in the midst of every crisis , lies great opportunity ” and for Wiltshire business owner Chris Dawes this has proved to be the case .
Because a year on from the first lockdown , Chris , who runs public speaking and presentation training company Open Dawes Training Ltd , believes the pandemic has thrown up intriguing opportunities that have benefited his business and his career .
“ Don ’ t get me wrong , when we first went into lockdown , I was concerned about how we would get through because the majority of our training in public speaking and presentations was delivered face-to-face .
“ However , having got over that first panic I formulated a plan for Open Dawes Training and also seized some other opportunities that came my way . The result is that from a work point of view the year has been diverse and interesting , and has given me a springboard to launch the next stage of Open Dawes Training .”
Step one for the Swindon-based business , which offers CPD accredited training , was to strengthen its online training service and turn this into the primary focus .
Now Chris and his team use video conferencing to train delegates in public speaking and presentation training – indeed , somewhat ironically , they are using online training to train people to present and speak online , including delivering their training !
This live online training will be complemented and enhanced by a new service being launched by Open Dawes Training – online , on-demand training , comprising a series of teaching video modules , assignments , quizzes , surveys , workshops and webinars , all delivered through a student dashboard .
Chris is also an award-winning motorsports commentator , and another opportunity arose from the pandemic – commentating on esports .
While live events were variously put on hold or run behind closed doors , the popularity of esports exploded . Chris found himself commentating on SIM car racing , where participants include professional motorsports drivers and champions from BTCC , GT , Sportscars , and even F1 .
Chris , lead commentator and a Board member with Castle Combe Racing Club , also co-launched Castle Combe TV with the Circuit ’ s Sales and Marketing Director , Tom Davis , broadcast via Facebook and YouTube , to help keep the momentum going during the pandemic .
Now running for a year , Castle Combe TV has notched up nearly 50 episodes so far and has featured many stars of the motor racing world . This includes ex-driver and former host of Top Gear and Fifth Gear Tiff Needell . Tiff came on to mark the show ’ s first birthday .
A regular presenter and host of award ceremonies , Chris has also found himself hosting online awards , including the annual Castle Combe Racing Club Awards . Now there are other online awards ceremonies in the pipeline that Chris will be hosting – watch this space .
“ What looked set to be a very challenging year has thrown up some surprising opportunities . By taking the training online , if anything Open Dawes Training ’ s potential has grown , and we have new and intriguing developments ahead ,” said Chris .
“ As a motorsports fan and commentator , I am delighted that we ’ ve been able to keep the interest going for people associated with the sport – fans , drivers , mechanics , marshals etc - through Castle Combe TV , and apparently provided a much-needed escape and release in times that are so difficult for our mental health .”
Open Dawes Training runs CPD accredited public speaking and presentation training in groups and for individuals . These are delivered online but can also be delivered selectively , inhouse or at the company ’ s head office training centre in Swindon .
To find out more about the new on-demand training , visit : www . opendawestraining . co . uk / remote-training /
enquiries @ opendawestraining . co . uk 01793 238259
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