The power of resetting in challenging times: 3 tips from Holly Tucker MBE

I’m normally a very positive person but let’s start with the truth of it. There’s no doubt it is hard out there right now for small businesses and I know that this community is feeling it. Whether it’s the cost of living crisis impacting your margins, legacy Brexit issues or just the general challenges of juggling being a founder with running a household or raising the future in the current climate, on top of everything else. Of course, we are all experiencing the impact of this less-than-perfect storm.

When times get tough, unhelpful feelings and emotions often start rising to the surface again: comparison, fear and, of course, our old friend imposter syndrome. It’s neither a pleasant nor productive place to find oneself — and this is why it is so important to take a moment to reset, review and revive. I truly believe things can absolutely get better if you just take a few simple steps. Let me share some of what I’ve learnt in case it’s helpful…
 

1. Switch off (or dial down) on social

We once thought that taking a few weeks ‘off-grid’ would be detrimental to our reach, but it’s becoming clearer that even those posting religiously every single day are being hit by that angst-inducing, ever-changing algorithm.

Plus, in times of unrest (whether a global crisis or an unreliable app), social media will often act as rocket fuel for negativity. When you are already feeling vulnerable, this negativity has a cruel habit of working its way into your thoughts and energy, which ultimately affects your ability to run your business with the enthusiasm it needs.

So taking a step back, putting the phone away and switching off (literally, if you want to) might be a wise move indeed. Your audience — the ones who really believe in you and your business — will still be there when you’re ready to get back on the horse (or the app), and the quiet time could be hugely beneficial.

Whilst you’re stepping back, there might be a golden opportunity to take a moment to analyse your sales channels, too. Is Instagram your core (or maybe even your only) sales channel right now? What can you do to change this? Because you have a choice.

You can either wait and hope for the algorithm to behave, or you can plan ahead to ensure that you’re never 100% reliant on a social media platform again. Whether that’s developing an email marketing strategy and building up a list of subscribers, or planning a retail pop-up or a market stall perhaps — we pivoted in the pandemic and we can pivot again.
 

2. Focus on your efficiencies

Busy isn’t a badge of honour (louder for the people at the back!) and there will have been times at your ‘busiest’ where certain elements just haven’t really worked for you. Your processes might have become convoluted over time, leading to a lack of efficiency (and sleep, and quality time with your kids, and…*insert yours here*).

See whether you can also find some space to review your systems. What’s working? What isn’t? What does your small business buddy do that you currently don’t? Grab a notebook and scribble down everything that springs to mind for your creative processes, your ordering system, customer service and marketing, for example.

The Royal Mail Small Business Hub has lots of invaluable advice, as well as information on how their products and services can support you, saving you not just time, but also money too. There’s Royal Mail’s Click & Drop service (a handy way to take care of your parcels quickly where you can just pay the postage online, print the labels then drop them off at a drop-off point, to Parcel Collect (which does what it says on the tin), it really is worth taking a moment to browse their services.

It’s important to identify the low-hanging fruit (the things you can change now) and the slow burners (the things you need to work on in order to change the outcome). Feeling productive and moving the business dial forward is the key to keeping your passion for your business alive.

Sometimes taking a step back (whether you intended to or not) is just as important as the ‘doing’. I wholeheartedly encourage you to take a little time to remind yourself of your vision, your core values and your ‘what makes you get up in the morning’. It’s an opportunity to check in to ensure that your business is still marching to the beat of your own drum and reflecting your brand heart, rather than becoming generic.
 

3. Reconnect with yourself and your creativity

This third tip is especially important. When you have a child, they say you should sleep when the baby sleeps and you can also apply this to how you nurture your business. Instead of dreading a particular time of year such as summer and the lack of sales it brings, get out and enjoy it. Instead of being worried about the long winter ahead, take some time to relax. “Keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll keep getting what you’ve got,” as the saying goes. Try something new.

You might find that you reconnect with your creativity and find inspiration outside of your own four walls. A change of scenery — whether it’s your local park, a friend’s kitchen table or seeing an exhibition — can do wonders for your creative spark. The best thoughts and ideas (the ones that get us really excited) often come when we’re relaxing and giving ourselves the time to think, so don’t feel guilty for taking that walk or booking an impromptu trip.

Reframe your mindset and think how re-booting the machine (which is you, by the way) might just work wonders for your business. Don’t wait for someone or something else to save you. Save yourself. You can absolutely do it because there is no better remedy for your business ills than you. Most importantly, keep going. The whole community is behind you.