There are many seasons in life.

Some are exhilarating, others exhausting. Some bring immense growth, and others deplete you.

Just as there are seasons in nature, there is continual change in our daily lives. Many of us were caught off guard by the coronavirus, and our questions about the future can be more depleting than the uncertainty of this day.

But wisdom takes the long view, and that means prioritizing personal health so you can endure and thrive tomorrow.

In the weeks surrounding the onset of COVID-19, businesses worldwide have pivoted quickly.

Many have juggled shifting expectations by establishing remote work arrangements, securing supply chains, reducing employee workload,

cutting costs, or applying for government support.

Now it’s time to move forward with a proactive business plan and to consider new opportunities.

What will this look like for your business? Here are three strategies.

Generation Z is the demographic cohort born between the mid-to-late 1990s and around 2010.

Affectionately known as “Zoomers,” Gen Z individuals are technologically advanced (having never seen a world without internet), perceive information best through visuals, and absorb tons of new information daily. Zoomers are quick to learn and adept with technology, which is something we’re all being challenged to do in this pandemic season!

Best Practices for Managing Meetings Remotely

Embrace transparency to become relatable.

People may admire you for your strengths, but they connect with you through your weaknesses. Vulnerability ushers in humility and makes you instantly relatable to your audience. Transparency means letting people know how your business is doing or what has changed for you during this taxing season. You don’t have to air all your dirty laundry, just take an open, communicative posture. Now is not the time to go silent!

Mike Turner founded the Front Street Brokers real estate firm in 2005, with a desire to offer distinctive client experiences, to equip agents for the maximum efficiency and profitability, and to devote significant firm resources to a local, philanthropic focus.

After three years, Turner’s firm experienced a significant slowdown during the 2008 financial crisis. This was a time of immense strain, especially when scheduled closings dried up before his eyes:

“In that time period, we had 10 real estate transactions scheduled to close, and nine of them fell through for unforeseeable reasons,” Turner said. “All of a sudden, $100,000 worth of business income that we were dependent upon [was] gone.” 

Social distancing decrees that all schools are closed for the time being – how can you keep your kids from asking for a snack every 15 minutes and yourself from reaching for that bottle of wine at 9:30 in the morning?

We have compiled a list of a few online tours so that you can have a Virtual Field Trip to many places around the world.

Grab kids of all ages and embark on a journey – from your couch.

Half of the county is on lock down (and worried about their business surviving since it is unable to be open) and the other half is trying to endure on reduced sales. From the local restaurants to printing companies to the pool supply stores, and everything in between – everyone is trying to save money and keep their employees, your neighbors, afloat.

If you are part of the population who is tightening their belts but want to help your neighborhood small business - become a Social Media Sponsor! Take to Facebook, Instagram, Google Reviews or your favorite platform and tell the world about your best memory at the bar, your favorite dish at a local eatery or the time that an employee at the hardware store went above and beyond to service you.

In these unprecedented times, the best way we can support one another without any out of pocket costs is to share our opinions and experiences to not only keep your spirits up, but to strengthen the online presence of Palm Beach County small businesses. We must help each other be Strong now to come out of this pandemic as healthy and whole as possible.

As every day we are facing new challenges and an overload of information regarding the pandemic Covid-19, now is the time strengthen our community and local businesses. Activities as simple as going to the grocery store or visiting a loved one have changed dramatically, and we need to feel some stability in our lives. 

One way we can do so is to rethink how we look at our everyday lives. We can still order our favorite foods from a local restaurant; and now we can turn it into a picnic at an opposite end of the driveway at Grandma's house. We can have our pest control company service our house; but now they may take payments online instead of a check.

Anytime you can utilize a local vendor or small business, whether it be online or via curbside services; you are easing a little bit of worry from your neighbors whose small business is suffering, and our help to survive.

Help keep our community strong. Palm Beach County Strong.