This Episode: A Contrarian Look At “Survival Mode”
Normally, there’s a negative connotation that comes with the term, “survival mode.” In today’s Real Retail TV, we’re going explore how it can sometimes really be the opposite.
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If you have any questions or comments please put them down below. I read and respond to them all personally so I’d love to see what you have to say.
Thanks for you constant, ongoing support Bob with your WhizBang Team. All the podcasts & FB interactions help to keep me motivated & moving forward. See you in the morning!
You’re welcome Marie! Your success is important to me!
Bob
Bob, I know people are tired of the word “pivot”… However, as a supplier, when things starting getting bad, an employee of mine suggested we start making masks. That turned out, in analysis, to not be practical. BUT, I thought we might do well providing raw materials like elastic and cordlocks to the tens of thousands of everyday folks making mask for family, friends, local businesses. I called every US based distributor I knew and literally bought them out of those items. We “pivoted” to those items. In 3 months, I sold over 1 million yards of elastic and over 2 million cordlocks, more than I had sold in the previous 20 years! Your words of encouragement are always welcome. I myself would encourage people to examine closely what they might be able to do (pivot to) to side step the bad vibes and negative effects of this time in our history. Today’s news actually starts to give us some target dates for the end of this! By next May, we may reach “herd immunity” with the vaccine. Let’s all pray that does indeed happen. In the meantime, pivot!
Thomas,
Thanks for your comment. WOW, that is a lot of elastic and cordlock!
Bob
Thanks, Bob, for your thoughts and encouragement, as always.
It does feel like it’s about time to let go and just ride out the storm as best we can. My energy level is very low, but what little I’ve got left is being used to support my customers who long for our encouragement, which we give freely over their knitting and stitching projects. We’re feeling lucky to be able enjoy crafts that are very soothing, but we are all freaked out about how close we are to losing each other.
In the shop we project calm and positivity, in spite of it all. Truthfully, I sense the darkness, and thinking I’d better come up with yet another pivot move pretty quickly. As you said, there is so much uncertainty, and it really does take its toll emotionally.
We survived, barely, being closed for 3 solid months. We’ve inched back, and now I’m not sure if we will be allowed to stay open for the post-Thanksgiving weekend, or through December, so I’ve drastically reduced my expectations and deleted my numbers goals. I just want to make it through to when the tide recedes, and then I’ll start all over again.
I do feel extremely grateful, lucky to have reason for optimism; so many people, so many small businesses, have already had to close for good.
Good luck and best Thanksgiving wishes to all my retailing brothers and sisters out there.
Hi Kate,
Thanks for your honest comment. Stay with it, the end is in sight!
Bob
Thank you so much for the morning pep talks. They contribute to our survival.
You’re welcome. It’s my honor to help.
Your podcasts were so encouraging before. I’m so glad you are doing them again as I’m starting to run out of steam, just tired. As an owner without much of a team due to Covid, it is nice to get encouragement from someone who knows what we do. I look forward to hearing you and Susan!
Thanks Susan! We’re excited to bring you Holiday Hot Line!
Bob, I love the authentic way you encourage from the heart and I appreciate the background water view as well. Great way to keep your balance by getting outdoors and reminding us to do the same.
Thanks Lori! Trying to get outside while the weather is still nice (:
Bob
Great message. Sometimes we lose sight of needing to accept what is for a period of time. There are some things we can’t control and we have to let go. Thank you for speaking truth. Thanks to all your team for all the support, encouragement, truth, and advise! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Stay safe. Stay healthy.
Thanks Carol. Hang in there… the end is not near, but it’s in sight.
Bob
Great advice Bob, I think a lot of people need to hear this.
Thanks Kevin!
Bob
Thanks Bob, I needed this today. I am a numbers oriented individual, and am always striving to hit a goal. Though my goals are lowered this holiday season, I still look to meet them everyday. Well, along comes this huge spike in COVID and the Governor’s “stay at home” advice. My goals are probably unattainable now. But, as you said, “I just need to survive. I have tears in my eyes as I’m typing this because it is totally against my nature, but I know it’s true.
I appreciate all that you, and your wonderful staff, bring to us retailers. I feel like you have been by my side during this entire year and for that I am very grateful.
Happy Thanksgiving, Sherree
Sheree,
You’re welcome. We all just need to make it to the other side. I really appreciate your comment.
Bob
Hello Bob,
I’m normally the most optimistic, positive, forward thinking business- woman .
And these days with #s not adding up to much, and not being able to pay bills, getting deeper into debt when we do not see an end does not seem like a smart business decision. There’s some talk of shutting down the city for 7 days or so. And the reality is we have no idea what will happen- but I am barely hanging on. How can I justify keeping the business going, when I owe many months in rent?
Hi Anna,
Here are some thoughts on your question…
https://whizbangtraining.com/when-you-feel-like-giving-up/
Thanks for asking.
Bob