Changing your trajectory by looking at the pandemic differently
Finding glimmers of hope through numerous hypothetical scenarios
When this is all over, things will be different — the virus will impact everything we know. There is some light after all the doomsday, as we have an incredible ability to adapt.
Whilst closely following developments in travel and lifestyle sectors, we’ve seen the impact first-hand with clients and partners. We’ve also seen the sheer determination, creativity and resilience from our partners and the people we have spoken to. From the situation of madness we find ourselves in, what inspiration can we learn from and what action can we take?
How to prepare your business for any eventuality
We’re having to prepare for an unknown inevitable. In a seemingly uncontrollable situation, what can you control and how do you position yourself to be masters of your destiny?
Many businesses have had to compromise and adapt to the situation, mainly out of necessity and survival. If short-term security is yet to be obtained, you have to do what is needed. Is there an opportunity to gain clarity on who you are, what you stand for, and the purpose of your business? We think so.
Having clarity on your business practice and output, subsequently allows you to gain clarity on the situation. At Curate Labs, we’ve listed all the things we can control and applied an agile approach to working through the list. For things we cannot control, we listen attentively and keep our ear to the ground seeking patterns worth acknowledging.
A few weeks ago, Mckinsey & Co released a briefing titled the ‘COVID-19: Implications of Business’ — which includes their perspectives on the pandemic. We’ve taken particular note of the multiple hypothetical scenarios of economic impact, and matched each scenario to our business to prepare for numerous outcomes. With each scenario, we’ve thought of strategy and associated triggers for how we respond, keeping ourselves agile should the economy move a certain way.
During a live webinar with David C. Baker, author of The Expertise of Business, the larger economy is the biggest priority. Moving with it and adapting as it changes allows us to prepare and get our heads straight as “normal” approaches.
Needless to say, there is a lot to pay attention to. We’re surfing the waves of change, taking it step-by-step, one thing at a time, thinking about how best to spend our time. Jim Antonopoulos of TANK put it best in an email:
“Where we put our energy right now is a decision within our control. Where we focus our thoughts, our time and our efforts is important at the best of times and even more so at the worst.”
A Fresh Perspective
Since lockdown was announced, we’ve been having conversations and running creative workshops with travel and lifestyle brands, helping businesses think differently based on their unique purpose, scenario and challenges.
Tremendous value can be found in a simple discussion and brainstorm, unearthing uncommon commonsense and clarity. Mindsets shift from confusion and indecision to hope and order. Through creative thinking, businesses are finding opportunities that they hadn’t previously considered, a one-degree shift in perspective can be enough to change the trajectory of a business.
Realising Hope and Resilience
Amidst the chaos and grief, many are seeing opportunities. Creative agencies are supporting their clients and partners through this and finding ways to do things differently.
Airbnb launched online experiences, quickly pivoting their Experiences products to be available via live streams. From the comfort of your lounge, a 5,000 year-old Egyptian tomb is open for virtual tours, thanks to Harvard and the 3D mapping technology Matterport.
In Berlin, the Michelberger Hotel has turned its restaurant into a grocery store, selling essential produce and its signature coconut water drink, Monkey Michelberger. Hotel brand Zoku launched day-stay private work hideaways, fully embracing isolation with added amenities like room service. If tourists can’t come, how can you serve your immediate community?
Beyond travel, many are finding intriguing ways of doing business differently. Sweet Farm, an animal sanctuary in Silicon Valley started ‘Goat 2 Meetings’ where you can request a cameo appearance in your next corporate zoom chat from llamas, goats, and other farm animals. In Texas, EVO Entertainment looked to the past, converting their car park to a drive-in movie theatre, a perfect social distancing activity to do together.
Glimmers of hope are apparent. Companies are not just doing, but thinking differently with short and long-term scenarios by re-evaluating their ethos, purpose and positioning so that some brighter future is in sight.
The Opportunity
Businesses and companies in the travel sector particularly, are still having discussions. Budgets, timeframes and flexibility may have been reduced, but creative thinking, strategy, connecting with customers and problem-solving in authentic ways, is very much needed in these strange and unpredictable times.
Your scenario is different, and every business’s problem requires the utmost consideration. It starts with a transparent, open conversation so that collectively we can pull-through and help one another through a hypothetical worst-case scenario.
If you’re looking for creative help, let’s have a conversation.
