Can you believe that it’s already April 14, 2020?  Even though the international stories of COVID-19 were dominating the news in January and February, I never really imagined that March would turn into the doozy of a month that it did, or that April, May and (quite probably) June would turn out to be more of the same.

How does that saying go?  Man plans, God laughs.  Well played, God.  Well played.

The impact of this global pandemic has thrown a curveball to organizations, leaders and people.  And we have no choice but to adjust, to redefine, to innovate and to pivot.

What does it mean to pivot during COVID-19? For organizations, it means making fundamental changes to their business so that they can provide products and services that meet the needs of Canadians during this critical time.

And we have all seen businesses pivot, in the most AMAZING and Canadian way:

• An undergarment factory who makes boxer shorts and long underwear, has pivoted to make medical gowns and protective apparel for our front-line medical workers

• A textile company that produces pillow and dog beds has pivoted to become the first manufacturer of N95 respirators in Canada

• A manufacturing company has pivoted and is now using 3-D printing technologies to manufacture face shields for medical professionals

• Auto companies have pivoted and are working together to alter their production processes to build ventilators for our hospitals

• Retired medical professionals are pivoting and returning to the workforce to aid in alleviating the already over pressured Canadian medical system

• Distilleries have pivoted and have shifted operations to produce hand sanitizer and disinfectants

• Many restaurants have pivoted and are now selling grocery boxes, in addition to offering traditional meal pick-up and delivery services

• Many gyms were forced to close and have pivoted by offering virtual classes to their members (paid and free). Many have also rented their gym equipment to members

These businesses have changed their priorities, identified the most critical and pressing needs, have sourced materials and learned new skills, reconfigured their operations and upended their business models to provide products and services that are most needed during the COVID-19 public health crisis.

How do you pivot?

1. Brainstorm ideas on how to pivot your business with your employees, your significant other, or your friends.  Sometimes it’s hard to imagine what’s possible on your own, so use your peeps to help you drum up new, and innovative product and service offerings.

2. Be open to the CRAZY ideas.  It’s true – not every idea will be a good one.  Some ideas might not be feasible, and some may just not be possible, but don’t approach the ideation phase with negativity.  Approach this phase with the mindset of positivity and possibility.  Remember, it doesn’t have to be an idea that solves the global pandemic crisis, it just needs to be an idea that solves a problem or closes a gap for your customers and clients.

3. Once you have an idea, pitch it to the people who will buy it – your clients and customers.  You don’t have to do any crazy, intense market research in order to test out a new idea.  If you are active on social media, ask your followers if they would buy the product/service, what they would be willing to pay for it and get their ideas on what else you could offer that they would value.

4. If you have a good idea, but you don’t quite know how to execute or implement it, turn to your network to find someone who can help you, advise you or point you in the right direction.  I find that people are willing to help – you just have to muster up the courage to ask for it.

The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed down my workplace investigation practice, so I’m working to pivot my business to add a new revenue stream.  I’ve got an idea bumping around in my brain, so this week I’m fleshing out the idea, conducting some market research, and researching the technologies associated with implementing my new business idea.

How are you pivoting in your business? 

April 14, 2020

Saira Gangji is an independent licensed Workplace Investigator at hrology in Calgary, AB.  She investigates allegations of discrimination and human rights, harassment, violence and misconduct in the workplace.  For more information about hrology and our process, see the work with me page.