Seeing how Covid-19, quarantine, and health concerns have changed the way traveling for business needs; is something that has never been seen before in this digital modern world. While there definitely was an adjustment period, business seems to be proceeding in a new fashion, and being able to adapt is a must.

As someone who focuses on networking with people for prospects, to learn, to teach, or just for fun, understanding what has changed post pandemic is helping me better understand what the future may hold.

 

Changes in doing business

 

Door to door sales seems to be even more difficult

I never enjoyed going door to door to find prospects and make introductions. This is one of the best ways to get leads, don’t get me wrong. However the act of going door to door (business to business in person) can be intimidating, uncomfortable, and now a little dangerous. 

When going to a business you could be received positively, with a warm welcome and someone interested in your service or value proposition. Or on the other hand, may be turned away, with someone not interested in what you have to say. 

A pandemic sets a strong negative tone to meeting a new person. This is a new reality that has to be taken into consideration whenever introducing yourself to a new person or business. Before you can begin with an introduction you need to ensure all parties are comfortable and willing to speak, for the health of everyone.

 

Calls & emails actually reach someone

What used to be a shot in the dark has become a new space for fresh leads. With in person meetings no longer preferred, and spending time more in the digital than ever before, people actually read emails. 

With many businesses and people preferring to do business in any remote way they can, emails and phones are no longer being neglected as much as they used to.

This has helped smooth communication with prospects in certain areas, being more comfortable shooting a quick email or conducting a quick call. I’m scheduling less meetings (in person or via zoom), and connecting with leads and clients over phone calls, emails back and forth, and even text for some.

 

The future of doing business

 

A need for more digital options

While having tech options at your disposal may have been a benefit, now it’s definitely a necessity. This means having a mobile device, to be responsive at all times. Having a strong signal to avoid poor communication or understanding; for instance dropped calls.

For some people this means getting familiar with email etiquette or developing good phone skills. Now’s the best time to get familiar with all these new communication methods, since from now on, digital communication will be the main way to do business. The more skilled you become, and the more tech/digital options at your disposal, the more competitive you become.

 

Creating a quality digital presence

Looking sharp has always been a must in networking, sales, anything business really. First impressions are important, and before this was done in person. Now your first impression will most likely be digital. 

This means that you need to look sharp in the digital space. This can be done in a variety of ways, and doing so will set you up for success. You can create a quality LinkedIn profile; full of posts, activity, comments, and followers to establish yourself as an expert in your space. Another method is to create a web page that lists everything you do & your value proposition. An even simpler method will be just having your information be easily accessible and attractive looking through a digital business card or email signature.

Whatever approach you take, you have to ensure your digital identity is as good as your in person one. 

 

Understanding your digital approach

How you start a conversation via email, phone, or any other digital method, can seem daunting. Where you could use emotional intelligence to see the best way to speak or deliver a message, you know get a screen. 

This is where understanding digital cues come in handy. People tend to have a certain way of speaking, no matter the method, and working with this you can make a conversation be a lot more productive. 

For instance, you no longer can assume words and meaning:

“I made the changes requested”, “Let me know if 5 works well for you”, “I’ll get in touch with you later”.

These phrases in person coupled with context clues can provide a general understanding. Yet over a screen these words can be vague. To avoid being lost in translation, try phrases like:

“I made the changes requested: Updating the text field on X page. Please see screenshots below:”, “Is 5 pm tomorrow on 8/26 a good time to speak over the phone? What is the best number to reach you?”, “I’ll reach out to you later this week, sometime between 8/27 – 8/29 over email”.

While a little more to type, you’ll save time and effort being as clear as possible.

 

These are just a couple things I’ve noticed and focused on improving and understanding in this new business landscape. Feel free to let me know what you think below. And thanks LinkedIn for seeing how the pandemic affects day to day for businesses and the people who work in them (inspiration for this post).