Checklist: How Businesses Should Operate in a New Normal

When we rang in the new year of 2020, we were full of hope. We made plans, set goals, committed to resolutions and said, “Man, I’m sure glad 2019 is over. 2020 is going to be our year!” Fast forward to today, and it sort of feels like the joke’s on us. Life as we knew it quickly and dramatically changed in a matter of months, weeks even. For most businesses, 2020 has not exactly gone to plan.

If your business stayed afloat during the turmoil, first off, congrats! Businesses across all markets have struggled and not all have made it to the other side. This is not to say the struggle is over. There are still mountains to climb, obstacles to navigate and shipwrecks to avoid. We optimistically call this new way of life the “new normal.”

What is the “new normal?” You’ve likely heard of it by now. Maybe you thought people were saying it was the “noon normal” and got really confused. What’s going on at noon? Is noon the new 5 o’clock? Alas, no such luck. It’s not just noon that has changed. It’s the whole lot of them – all 24 hours that make up the day. They’re all slightly different from what we once knew.

You know this, of course. You’re sitting here wondering how you’re going to adapt yourself, let alone operate your business. Unfortunately, we can’t help you with the former (although we’ve made it by with a lot of cheese curds and comfortable business casual clothes. But! We do have some thoughtful tips to help your business operate in the new normal. Use this checklist to ensure your business is set up for success in the coming months.

EMPLOYEE HEALTH

First, it’s important to address the health of your employees. If your staff is unwell, your business will not be able to succeed. Ensure your employees have a safe working space, access to healthcare should they need it and a protocol in place should someone fall ill. For example, staggering employees who return to the office so they return in waves rather than all at once can help you monitor and control the workplace. Additionally, you can provide paid sick leave to encourage employees who are ill to stay home.

WORKPLACE HEALTH

Just like your employees, your workplace needs to be healthy. In today’s environment, that means having workspaces that allow for social distancing and the use of facemasks as needed. Now is also a good time to enforce stringent cleaning efforts that maintain a high level of sanitation.

ADOPT NEW BEST PRACTICES

If this pandemic has shown us anything, it is the adaptability and perseverance of the workforce. While the world continues to grapple with these unprecedented times, your employees may not be able to return to the previous “normal” routine. Overcome this by examining and sustaining the positive practices that have come to fruition over the past few months.

RECONSIDER REMOTE WORKERS

Depending on the type of business you run, keeping some or all employees remote can benefit not just your employees, but your business overall. Remote work is increasingly more accessible to most populations, which allows for greater diversity in your workplace. This in turn leads to a strong, well-rounded team that produces unique and timely solutions that otherwise may not happen. Additionally, remote work removes the necessity for visibility. This acts as a sort of equalizer where every voice has the same weight and individual contributions stand alone. All in all, this can bolster your workforce in a myriad of ways.

DIVERSIFY YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN

Did your business struggle when your only supplier, or the region your suppliers are located, was hit hard by the pandemic? Avoid that mistake in the future by spreading out your supply chain across various sources and locations. Creating a backup plan to each step along the way can also prove beneficial so you won’t experience another breakdown. Additionally, shortening the supply chain anywhere possible can reap huge rewards for your business. The fewer steps required, the lower the chance your business will face another obstacle.

CLARIFY PRIORITIES

Eliminate any unnecessary expenses and focus on hitting the new minimums. You may be revamping your company goals at this point, and in turn will need to adjust the expected outputs by your team. Redefine your strategy and needs so your business has a tangible goal to work towards over the next year or more. This can help employees feel secure in their efforts as you adapt to the new normal.