How You Can Prepare Your Business for Post-Lockdown

As vaccines are being rolled out and lockdown is beginning to ease, many of us are looking to the future with a new optimism. Even with the next year looking brighter, it's natural for more freedom to bring anxiety and uncertainty for what's ahead.

We've all had to make changes in the past year and adapt to keep moving, but a return to normalcy isn't necessarily a breeze. This is where project management comes in. A recent analysis of job postings for technologists showed project management to be the most in-demand skill. As priorities shift from immediate crisis control to long-term planning, project management skills are what many businesses need to get on track.

Now is a great opportunity to start preparing your work for post-lockdown. But how? Follow our tips to get started!

What's changed for you?

An honest review of your current position is the first step. How has the pandemic affected your business? The impact has varied dramatically, from those that have thrived in this new landscape, to those struggling to make ends meet. Wherever you are, things will undoubtedly change in the coming months. It's not easy to shine a microscope on your business, but it will help you gauge your situation as lockdown lifts.

This question spans from what exactly your business does, to how your team like to work. To get a holistic view you need to involve your whole team. Gather all the information so you're in the best position to prepare.

Iron out the wrinkles

You know those little niggles and annoyances that you know you want to get sorted, but never find the time? Now's the time. If you want to be ahead of the game, you need to start by focusing on where you are in the present.

Remember - this is an exciting opportunity. We all had to think on our feet and adapt quickly last year. Now, we have the chance to think ahead and plan for change.

That doesn't mean you'll be perfect. We've all had to make changes in the past year. They've worked great for some, but less so for others. If you've struggled, don't be too hard on yourself. Maybe challenges are holding you back from ironing out all those niggles, but any steps you can take now will help your business later.

Make a plan

Once you're in the best possible position now, look ahead. Of course, there's still a lot of uncertainty. Things are looking hopeful, but none of us know exactly where we'll be a year from now. Make sure your plan has some flexibility by considering best and worst case scenarios.

Don't forget to be realistic. Particularly if you've had a hard year and are hoping to bounce back, it's critical that you're really honest with yourself. Create feasible goals and build up. It might take longer than you'd like, but slow and steady is the key to a sustainable recovery.

Whatever impact the pandemic has had on your business, the return to normality can still be pretty intimidating. However, planning now will put you in the best possible position. Luckily, you don't have to do it alone. We're here to help.

If you're unsure how to take the next steps, or could do with some help taking them, give us a call on 020 3286 2866. We'd love to chat to see how we can get your business back on track.

Not quite ready? Check out our website for more information, free templates and our Project Complexity Quiz!