Employers and consumers find opportunity amid adversity

As President & CEO of one of the region’s largest and most active chambers of commerce, I’ve seen the best and worst of business through the current pandemic.

The business owners I interact with most frequently are exhibiting clear thinking, seeking exposure to a variety of ideas and tapping a strong network to persevere as we head into more months of interrupted business patterns. Tried and true strategies that include making clear assessments, controlling what we can and adapting to uncertainty are essential.

Now, more than ever small businesses stand to benefit from the knowledge and connection offered by fellow businesses who make up a robust chamber of commerce, while large companies with workers operating remotely are working together to address common needs.

In our interactions with businesses, there are at least six truths that stand out:

1. If a company or nonprofit came into the pandemic with one or more major weakness, survival may be beyond reach. These can include an outdated business plan, lack of financial reserves, a weak client base or staffing inadequacies. Many businesses with strong basics have adapted to meet needs that arose during government-ordered shutdowns and the gradual return to normalcy that is following.

2. Direction matters. Many business leaders whose team members were able to work from home focused on productivity. High expectations, trust and clear delegation paid off in results that surprised many managers who previously resisted remote work situations. At the heart of it all is a positive attitude needed to forge ahead. For those running a sustainable business, this is not the time to shrink from the challenge.

3. Following safety protocols, and looking out for the interests of your employees and customers, is just good business. Mask wearing makes sense. Failure to follow safety protocols by customers and employees presents the greatest threat to rolling back on gradual openings that have been taking place. Even if you aren’t particularly rattled by the idea of coming down with the virus, exhibiting caution is a way to show those around you that you care about them.

4. Larger companies need to invest in their teams. The Chamber is currently recruiting participants for Leadership Principles & Profiles, a 32hour training program to be held over eight halfdays from September through December. Participants learn how to better communicate with their teams around developing a vision and executing on plans that are essential during challenging times. The difference between a team that is well led and one that lacks direction and motivation is vast. Professional development through the Chamber’s Society of Professional Women likewise offers companies ways to take fuller advantage of the strengths that exist within their workforce. These programs strengthen employees and companies.

5. For many larger companies, now is not the time to be complacent about the future of talent. As college students face even greater uncertainty in the current environment, the Chamber’s Talent and Education initiative is poised to help companies recruit diverse interns and employees who will bring them into the future.

6. Executives who value peer connection and developing networks face many online opportunities, despite the lack inperson interaction. The Chamber offers several virtual networking and learning opportunities.

While our focus is mostly on what businesses can do to better bring about success and growth, it’s important that consumers realize that they too have an impact when it comes to shopping and dining choices. Making purchases from small businesses that are invested in the community has a ripple effect through taxes, payroll and property values. As many home owners invest in improvements, Main Line Chamber members who can be found in the directory at www.mlcc.org have proven that they care about their communities and often support local nonprofits that help meet our region’s needs.

Despite a common saying throughout the pandemic that we are in this together, different businesses and individuals have been affected in vastly different ways. As the businesses that are able to survive continue to strive to adapt and return to growth, consumers who are in a position to help have the power to participate in an economic recovery we can all be proud of.

Bernard Dagenais