“Over a Cliff” | What can small businesses do during the COVID19 outbreak?
5 things to do now, if your small business is struggling as industries shutter their doors, leads dry up, conferences & speaking engagements end and clients tighten budgets!
In this season of uncertainty and clients being mindful of spending and stretching their budget, client driven businesses like mine, are in danger of taking a major hit, if not closing altogether.
In our online briefing today, I opened up with letting my small team know that I was unsure what the future holds for CDJ & Associates and The Camille Company, but I got them covered through March and probably some of April. Without ongoing revenue, I am dipping into reserves to sustain everything, which is not what I can afford to do long term.
But after that, I don’t know.
I told them that I understood fully if they needed to make arrangements to do something different during this time. I understand that a more reliable industry would make sense for revenue.
My assistant, spoke up first and quickly saying…
“Ms. Camille, I’m with you until the end, if we have to shut the door, we will do it together”.
You guys, tears welled up in my eyes and I walked away from the computer.
How did I get so blessed? I’ll tell you how.
I sowed dedication and loyalty to other CEO’s and President’s when I was in corporate America. Now that I need that same level of grace, its in “reserves” out in the universe waiting on me to draw from. Back then, it was a HARD season of sacrifice, working long hours, sometimes being overlooked or not rewarded. But I did it, daily. It’s NOW that I see the fruit of that season. Message: SERVE OTHERS. You never know when you are going to need folks to do the same for you.
So after a few minutes…my assistant called out (cause she couldn’t see me online anymore lol) “Hey…we’ve gotta get to work.. let’s go ma’am!”
And so work we did…I took the laptop up to my white board so they could see it and together we mapped out a strategy for each client and for both CDJA & The Camille Company. (picture taken on auto with my phone, my assistant said we should document this moment lol)
Don’t know what’s around the bend, but I’m ready and I have gladiators with me that are willing to go over a cliff. Doesn’t get any better than that.
But everyone is not that fortunate.
Some businesses will have to suspend indefinitely.
Some businesses can’t afford to keep staff or keep their brick & mortar business open.
My heart is heavy with this reality for so many of you. So what do we do? How do we navigate in this level of uncertainty?
Here are 5 things I recommend.
- Separate what you can manage, versus what you have no control over. Your energy is needed and can’t be expended on the things that are not within your scope of influence.
- Keep the main thing, the main thing. Right now, focus on family, loved ones and friends. Lean on them to feed your soul even remotely. Don’t let worry consume you.
- Be transparent (this article is helping ME, probably more than you). Be open about what you face with your spouse and with your trusted circle. Your mentor (you have one right?) can be a resource of balance during this time.
- Tell your team the truth. Show them the books if you must. Be up front with where the business stands and how long you can maintain payroll and AP. Ask for their input and ideas, they may surprise you. PLAN how you can come out of this intact. Make it nimble so you can shift as we learn more in the days ahead.
- GIVE. Seriously. GIVE. Everyone has something that they can give. It can be a free service, or sharing what you have with someone in the community, meeting a need for the less fortunate or giving time you wouldn’t otherwise have to do special things with your kids & loved ones (read a book #mightaswellread, play monopoly, exercise together, try a new recipe). GIVE. It changes everything.
From me and my team to you and yours…wishing all small to midsize businesses well! Praying you come through this season with a resolve to give more, build deeper and create a legacy of serving that you can be proud of! We will see you on the other side! #Togetherathome
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Camille D. Jamerson is a global speaker, author & entrepreneur. She is the Senior Consultant and CEO of CDJ & Associates a boutique management consulting firm and The Camille Company (a lifestyle brand for moguls and HNW entrepreneurs). Known as the Olivia Pope of the Midwest, her strengths are managing and diminishing chaos, powerful brand storytelling, change and crisis management. Her scope includes renovating companies for growth as well as political and public figure brand strategies! She is a sought after expert for clients seeking their very own Gladiator and Kingmaker!
Her amazing assistant, Reema handles her wacky calendar and about 76–94% of the rest of her life as well. Reema can be reached at info@cdjandassociates.com to book CDJ for consulting or as a speaker for your next event, conference or workshop!
