The Philippine Star

From uncertaint­ies to opportunit­ies

- ROSE TO THE OCCASION Rosemarie Bosch-Ong

Facing changes and uncertaint­ies in business is nothing new. Moreover, these situations create great opportunit­ies when managed well. Some may see change as a hindrance to success, but uncertaint­ies and setbacks are valuable to business growth.

Businesses have faced perhaps the most challengin­g time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The invisible virus led the business industry to act fast and execute different tactics that address specific concerns not only to survive during these times but to progress in redefining themselves in the process. After several months, maybe one question remains paramount, “Is it possible to manage a business in a world full of uncertaint­y?”

Here are my top four realizatio­ns on how to manage the unpreceden­ted circumstan­ces in business in the new normal:

ADHERE TO HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS

During this time, it is important to pay attention to promoting good hygiene for all your employees and customers. The government has given mandatory health and safety protocols and recommende­d best practices for reopening workplaces and businesses to prevent and reduce the risk of virus exposure and transmissi­on to employees and customers.

Different business industry sectors must implement and follow these health and safety measures, including the enforced wearing of mask and face shield, strict social distancing, frequent cleaning and disinfecti­ng, provision of hand sanitizer stations, among others.

When you’re operating a business in an affected area, you need to cooperate and be the first to follow and take additional measures that will reinforce the community’s well- being. Everyone has a specific role and responsibi­lity to our community — such collective actions will lessen the severity of impact in our daily lives and boost consumers’ confidence in the industry.

ADVANCE THE CONSUMPTIO­N MOVEMENT

We may not appreciate much of what is going on around us, but many good things are still happening during this quarantine period. Fortunatel­y, this crisis is an opportunit­y to start a movement ― “consumptio­n movement.”

This consumptio­n movement aims to help uplift those greatly affected by the pandemic. We may be among those affected, but we can also do something to help others. The pandemic has caused a decline in our country’s economic activities, and the way out of this recession is consumptio­n. If you are thinking about what you can do, you can start with one simple act ― if you can afford it, spend.

Some local business establishm­ents within your community are slowly bouncing back from the economic upheaval and trying to regain their business income for the past months.

This might be a uniquely difficult moment for us, but we’re also in a unique position to offer tangible help to those in need. If you can give extra help, it can urge someone to do the same thing even in the simplest form. Do something for the good of our economy and let us help in whatever way we can. Let’s advance the consumptio­n movement now.

This might be a uniquely difficult moment for us, but we’re also in a unique position to offer tangible help to those in need.

ACKNOWLEDG­E THE NEW LIVING LIFESTYLE

After numerous lockdown and home quarantine guidelines have been introduced to us, more families are now dedicated to protecting their health and safety. Since our local health agencies don’t falter to remind us to clean and disinfect our homes daily, everyone is upgrading their home into a smarter, safer, and healthier one.

Homeowners are filling their homes with smart products like sensor lights, sensor faucets, touchless soap dispensers, automatic hand dryers, and hands-free toilet flushes, which help them create a safer and healthier environmen­t for their families.

With so much time spent at home, there’s a rising demand for home improvemen­t and renovation needs. For instance, Wilcon Depot has been agile in delivering these demands for all homeowners and builders nationwide. Whether customers are looking for essentials for their work-from-home setup, learning space for their kids, hygienic and smart products, Wilcon offers the most extensive home improvemen­t and building products you need to improve and love your home.

ADAPT TO INNOVATION AND DIGITAL EXPERIENCE

One of the many responses and adjustment­s we’ve seen during the quarantine is the change in shopping behavior. Due to operationa­l constraint­s caused by the pandemic, online shopping became mainstream in the new normal. The world of retail is evolving, and the growth of more online channels has increased to suffice the current trend.

Fortunatel­y, we have, on our side, the advantage of modern technology. More brick-and-mortar stores have embraced the benefit of making a digital version of their business to thrive in the new normal. Wilcon has launched its new shopping feature — the Browse, Call, and Collect or Deliver (BCCD), wherein customers can convenient­ly shop by easily browsing at Wilcon’s online shop and website. Customers can contact the nearest Wilcon store through Viber, call, or text, and a Wilcon personnel will gladly assist them with their orders, and then choose to collect their purchases in-store or have it delivered at their doorstep. Since people have changed their buying behavior, it is a great opportunit­y for businesses to adapt and innovate to deliver value to their customers. These business uncertaint­ies we are currently facing today are fundamenta­l in what we will be in the future. We will be dealing with many kinds of uncertaint­ies that will put us in unexpected and difficult situations, but remember that uncertaint­ies, when managed well, can be a source of more opportunit­ies.

 ??  ?? As more time is spent at home, businesses see a rise in the demand for home improvemen­t and renovation needs.
As more time is spent at home, businesses see a rise in the demand for home improvemen­t and renovation needs.
 ??  ?? Businesses operating during the COVID-19 are encouraged to cooperate and be the first to follow health protocols to reinforce the community’s well-being.
Businesses operating during the COVID-19 are encouraged to cooperate and be the first to follow health protocols to reinforce the community’s well-being.
 ??  ?? Brick-and-mortar stores harness the advantages of digitaliza­tion to thrive in the new normal.
Brick-and-mortar stores harness the advantages of digitaliza­tion to thrive in the new normal.
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