Succeed!

"In challenging times people need HELP and they need HOPE! That is MY business and my message!" Bob 'Idea Man' HooeyAs I write and edit this latest short book, we are in the early stages of a world-wide COVID-19 pandemic. Cities and countries are in lockdown around the globe. Businesses are closed and workers are sitting at home, waiting for it to work its way out. Governments are playing catch up, most having been caught totally un-prepared, flat-footed, to lead and to cope with this global emergency. By the time is has worked its way out, 100's of thousands, perhaps millions will die. Not a fun scene. Also important in this crisis are the long-range economic impacts of that shut down. No travel, little manufacturing, only essential businesses remain open (like groceries, pharmacies, hardware stores, etc.) This is a serious challenge for those of us in business, if we want to survive and stay in business over the long-haul. Disruption has changed our lives, both personal and corporate, as we know them. Overnight, businesses have shuttered their doors, laid off their staff, and turned off their lights. Overnight, many workers and leaders have been thrust into the digital, virtually interconnected world. Working from home, in physical isolation, became our new norm. How will we adapt and deal with this new global challenge? The results are yet to be written and evaluated. Quite simply, we don't know yet. We are making it up as we go along, feeling our way, one day at a time in totally unchartered territories. Some of us had already started down this virtual path of digital connection, collaboration, and creation. For others, just thrust into this digitally changing world, the results remain to be seen. More than ever, we need to work together to find our way in this confusing new world. I have been in the speaking business for over a quarter of a century and have evolved during previous world-wide crises. 9-11, 2008, falling oil prices, changes in our industry to less in-person programs, and massive cancelations. In the past short while, I have seen 3 international events where I was to present, cancel overnight. One of them, I reluctantly had to pull the plug myself, as Spain was in lockdown for the foreseeable future. As in times past, people said that the speaking and training industry was finished, and we wouldn't come back. They were wrong then, and they are so wrong now! We will come back, empowered, adapted, and more relevant than ever before... that is, if we are willing to change how we do business. To succeed in 'any' business is an elusive quest, but an attainable one. You can do it! Like many of my colleagues, I am exploring different ways to continue to deliver value to my clients - digital ways to connect, educate, and engage. My commitment to help my clients is as strong as ever, just the delivery methods change. How can I help you?More than ever we need to reassess what business we are in, who are our potential clients, and how can we best reach and serve them despite these challenging times. Those who take this seriously and adapt will emerge stronger, perhaps, totally redesigned and restructured. But, perhaps more relevant and profitable as well. This is our opportunity, our challenge as business leaders, to demonstrate our commitment to our clients, teams, suppliers, and communities. We can do it by working together!