With the sudden spread of coronavirus to the world, the pandemic had a huge impact to social life and businesses as well as health challenges. Job redundancies, bankruptcy declarations and closure of business news during these uncertain times rose more than ever. Keeping this in mind, there is no better time than today to show solidarity to help one another.
As a business owner who faced many challenges through this time, I would like to highlight that there are so many things you can do to support business owners... and it doesn't cost you anything! Hope this list helps to bring positivity people around you.
“It doesn’t matter how slow you go, as long as you don’t stop.” – Confucius
Ask them "How are you?" NOT, "How's your business going at these days?"
Sometimes a simple sentence like "how are you" helps to show that you care about that person. Asking about the business will only increase their anxiety level and they already feel it 24/7.
Listen wholeheartedly
You don't have to have an answer or a suggestion to the challenges they are facing. Just listening to them wholeheartedly will help them to feel that they are not alone and maybe even ease their anxiety because they took out their untold thoughts which get bigger and bigger gradually by time.
Offer help
You or someone you know might have a good understanding of that business. Offering help like mentorship, reviewing the company website or giving feedback about their products/services will be a great help for sure.
Remind their previous achievements
Business challenges especially failures might have an impact on one's self confidence and abilities. In some cases, they might even lead to burn out. Reminding their previous achievements to struggling business owners will help them to keep their mindset positive.
Check in with them regularly
As business owners, we have so many ups and downs, especially during these days.
Feeling very hopeful one day and very hopeless the next day. Make sure you check in with them regularly and support them on these uncertain times.
Did you find this list useful? Please share and spread the positivity.
Would you like to find out how to be an inclusive leader and maximise the potentials of your multicultural team?
Contact us at diversein.com@gmail.com or discover more about us here
Furkan Karayel, an inclusive leader advisor; women in tech and female founders ambassador. Founded Diversein.com after 10 years of software engineering experience. Diversity and Inclusion lead at Startup Week Dublin. Advisory board member at InspiringSTEM and Sprinters, global organisations to support diverse female entrepreneurs and young generation STEM. Honoured with "Diversity and Inclusion Role Model in Business" and "Trailblazer" Awards.
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/furkankarayel