What do we do when our livelihood is threatened?
I’m more anxious than I’ve ever been—except on 9/11 and during the Cuban missile crisis. (Yep, I remember back that far. I was never so scared in my young life.) We live in tenuous times, shuttered-at-home, worried about our income, worried about getting sick, worried about practically everything.
What about you? Anxiety isn’t something I think about all the time. It’s just there. I feel it as I’m typing this, knowing that whatever I share now will be outdated by the time my blog is published.
Everything is uncertain. The stock market goes up one day and down the next. We’ve had the best days and the worst days in decades, and even in a century. Stores are shuttered. What happens to their employees and their paychecks? Companies are laying off employees. Weddings are postponed. People can’t hold memorial services when loved ones pass away.
Schools are closed and might not open before the summer break. Some people can work from home, which sounds nice, unless you have kids running around and need to share a work-space with them or your partner. It’s not easy being relegated to the bedroom or the bathroom with your laptop.
Yet, in the midst of all this, I laughed when a close member of my extended family wrote: “In more positive news, handbasket sales are soaring.”
We can stress out about things we can’t control and get way too serious, but laughter … well, as the saying goes, it’s the best medicine.
There Are Good Things Happening
There’s nothing like a crisis to bring out the best in people, or in companies—whether they’re supporting people or just entertaining people. Consider this:
- Sports teams are contributing funds to help support workers at their sports centers—without whom games wouldn’t go on. Athletes are personally helping these people eat and compensating them for lost wages during the shutdown.
- Theaters are releasing recordings of their preview performances.
- Companies are offering free broadband to students, and Zoom is letting all K-12 schools use its video conferencing platform for free.
- Neighbors are shopping for infirm people in their communities.
- The Metropolitan Opera is offering free streaming performances, while museums around the country are providing virtual tours.
AND
Disney Releases Frozen 2 on Disney+ Three Months Early
Disney has dropped Frozen 2 and the latest Star Wars film for Disney+ subscribers to watch months ahead of the planned release dates, and the company’s latest film, Onward, will be available on April 3, after just a couple weeks in theaters.
According to a statement from Disney, the surprise releases are intended to “surpris[e] families with some fun and joy during this challenging period.”
Disney isn’t the only media company dropping films early to entertain the quarantined masses, and losing money in the process. But they know what all smart salespeople know: In a crisis, the best way to keep your customers loyal is to ask, first, what you can do to help.
There Is Something Else You Can Do
When the economy tanks, the speed of decision-making must speed up. That’s why I’m presenting How to Recession-Proof Your Sales in 9 Killer Steps. You’ll learn ways to increase sales in an economic downturn, retain your loyal customers, and attract new business without increasing your cost of sales. It’s on the Sales Experts Channel on Tuesday, April 14, at 1:00 Pacific. Always free. Register here. All sessions are recorded, so register even if you can’t make it.
These steps are important in any economy—in fact, if we’d been using these sales tools all along, we might be in a better position now. Leave with new ideas, practical and timeless tips, tools, and strategies for success. Register here.
Above all, stay healthy and stay safe.
(Featured image attribution: JESHOOTS.com)
Wondering how your team will keep selling in an economic downturn? Invite Joanne to lead a discussion about “How to Boost Your Sales in a Volatile Economy” at your next virtual or in-person sales meeting. Email joanne@nomorecoldcalling.com or call 415.461.8763.
