Business Lesson: Don’t Let the Snow Fool You — Spring is Right Around the Corner

No doubt about it, there’s a major snowstorm hitting the East Coast. Not only is this storm going to impact the areas in its path, but it will have consequences for other areas as well. Airlines have been forced to cancel flights and it has put a crunch on flight schedules of those traveling way outside the area. Road transportation and shipping will have been altered or will be slowed. Insurance companies will be crunching numbers and depending on the impact, we can all expect higher quotes after winter fades away.

If you are sitting outside of Washington, D.C., and the other areas getting hit by Winter Storm Jason, the news concerning the snow may be just noise to you. However, you need to perk up your ears and begin listening. There are business lessons to be learned.

First of all, consider how the small businesses will cope with the impact of this storm. Is yours ready for such an event? If not, get ready: Your Business Needs a Risk Preparedness Plan to Keep You and It Safe

A lot of businesses are not able to fill the needs of their customers and could be causing them discomfort, frustration, and negative feelings for which they cannot offer solutions, such as airlines, hotels, transportation, and delivery services. Give yourself a lesson on how to deal efficiently and quickly with customers that are unhappy with your service, product, or brand — take a look at how businesses are dealing with frustrated customers on social media.

Looking for the next big thing? Take a look on national news channels, The Weather Channel, online, and on social media at what people need to get them ready and through major weather events. People are ready to share their experiences and openly tell how they are dealing or not dealing with the problems brought on by the storm. There is a wealth of information to be taken in and spun around in your head. Get creative and build the next startup that will be the go to app, service, or product for people in the path of the next storm — for there will be a next one.

While the snow might be burying Washington, D.C. in an amount within 36 hours equaling what they usually get in an entire winter season, it will soon be a memory, because spring is actually much closer than we realize. It’s easy to get stuck in the “here and now”, but as an entrepreneur, business owner, and leader you have to be thinking and working ahead.

Your marketing plan for spring and even summer should be on the project board. Could your business benefit a marketing plan tied into spring break, summer travel, or a blockbuster summer movie that is coming out? It’s January, there’s a major snow storm paralyzing our Nation’s Capital, but you need to turn the calendar pages a few times and get your business marketing plan in place for what is ahead. Perhaps you should pull out the calendar for 2017 and make notes for next winter while you are in the thick of it.

Don’t let the business lessons tied in with Winter Storm Jason pass you by, it’s the creative lessons that help you think outside the box that spark a brilliant idea. Whether you are in the snow or not, put up your feet this weekend, watch what’s going on out there and take some notes. There’s always a lesson to be learned, especially when you are influenced by things outside of the usual. Learn, think, create, and make it happen.

Thank you for reading — it means a lot to me. I appreciate your sharing as well. Please follow me on Medium, Twitter, or LinkedIn — I’d love to connect and be a part of your network team. On social media I share my own articles, but also those that I find helpful and relevant to business, success, entrepreneurship, community enhancement, and personal development. You can find out more about me at SherryBlue.com.