Ask Marcia - Leadership Q&A - Week of April 16, 2020

Week of April 16, 2020 / From her column in the Silicon Valley Business Journal

Q. My team is scattered in remote locations as are our customers. We know we need to help them, but what are the best ways in our business-to-business world?

A. Companies are using multiple channels to help their customers.  For operational people, some are connecting by phone or Zoom/Webex as frequently as needed. For strategic conversations, executives are reaching out to clients. Teams are rapidly conducting more classes and meetings to communicate with employees and customers. Topic include: how to reduce stress, self-care, working from home, executive/manager coaching through crisis, Leading a remote team, safety issues, how to effectively communicate, how to use communication tools like Zoom, etc. First of all, determine what needs have to be met for both your customers (or members or students) as well as your employees. Then develop the agenda, curriculum, or seek an outside vendor with the expertise you need to deliver webinars or Zoom meetings virtually. Webinars don’t need to be sixty or ninety minutes.  Shorter webinars help the presenter focus and deliver the material more effectively. Thirty minutes for many webinars followed by some Q&A is often sufficient. 

As one SVP told me today, “People are starved for information.” People need support to help them through new situations—and they need it fast.  The more you can deliver to your customers and employees just in time, the faster people can adapt to the chaos.  Order will emerge out of the chaos. This pandemic is going to teach the world how quick they can accomplish what they need to do when they make timely, wise decisions.  When leaders can clearly articulate the aim that needs to be accomplished, people have surprised themselves about how fast they can achieve and solve problems together.

Send your questions to Marcia Daszko at md@mdaszko.com. 

Call her to discuss your challenges and during this COVID19 crisis.  She has been a trusted advisor to executive teams for 25+ years and is the author of the book “Pivot Disrupt Transform” and co-author of “Turning Ideas Into Impact: Insights from 16 Silicon Valley Consultants.” Invite her to speak (virtually now) and see her resources for you at www.mdaszko.com