1851

The coronavirus continues to have dire effects on businesses across the country, and the franchise industry is no exception. Franchisors across segments are strategizing new ways to support their franchisees, keep customers satisfied, help local communities and come out stronger on the other side of this crisis.To that end, 1851 Franchise publisher Nick Powills and Charles Internicola, founder and partner of the <a href="https://www.franchiselawsolutions.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-conversation-with-author-speaker-and-decision-strategist-annie-duke-2712840" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Internicola Law Firm</a>, are covering the coronavirus and its impact on businesses through our <a href="https://mbf6e734.clickfunnels.com/webinar-registration1584137477175?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-conversation-with-author-speaker-and-decision-strategist-annie-duke-2712840" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">A Conversation With webinar series.</a>In today’s morning webinar, Powills and Internicola spoke with <a href="https://www.annieduke.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-conversation-with-author-speaker-and-decision-strategist-annie-duke-2712840" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">former professional poker player, author and decision strategist Annie Duke</a> about how leaders can learn from the COVID-19 crisis.&nbsp;Here are some of the key insights from their discussion.<h4>Uncertainty is Part of Life</h4>We think we have a lot more control than we actually do. Whether it’s COVID-19 or a natural weather disaster, the issue will pull back the curtain on how much uncertainty there is in our lives. Our normal, everyday lives might be more fantasy than reality.&nbsp;Don’t simply be reactive. Be nimble. Things are very unpredictable right now, but they are closer to what real-life decision making looks like. You just can’t hide from it anymore.&nbsp;<h4>Thinking Ahead&nbsp;</h4>The more businesses can think ahead to different economic scenarios, the better. Think about where you’d like your business to be and what things you will wish you had not spent money on.&nbsp;We are usually bad decision-makers, especially when we’re in the middle of a moment when we’re losing or on a bad streak. Know when to be on the offense and when to be on the defense. You always want to pull yourself out of the moment and get yourself ahead. Imagine a previous unlucky situation and how you would react to it now versus how you reacted to it in the moment.&nbsp;Keep thinking about what would happen if your business situation goes south. You always want to be thinking months ahead or a year ahead. We tend to think that the way things are now is the way they’ll always be.&nbsp;<h4>Diversity of Ideas</h4>It can be affirming to a team’s identity when everyone agrees on something, but it can also have the unintended consequence of suppressing new opinions. It’s important to hear different perspectives.&nbsp;If you want to get the best, most complete range of opinions on how a business could be affected, both positively and negatively in any given situation, simply email your team and ask everyone to send ideas directly to you without replying all. Let them give their ideas independently. Now you can collate that information and see where people came up with the same idea, where they came up with unique ideas and which ideas overlap.&nbsp;It can be uncomfortable for teammates to disagree. There can be a lot of soft-pedaling. Emailing your team and asking them to not reply-all allows everyone’s opinions to bloom and reinforces that you value the diversity of your team. It also makes for a culture where your team is cohesive not because you automatically agree on everything but because you’re all really open-minded. In team meetings, people tend to lean on agreement and agree with each other and with whoever is facilitating the meeting.

A Conversation With: Author, Speaker and Decision Strategist Annie Duke 

1851 Franchise

Nick Powills and Charles Internicola are joined by former professional poker player and author Annie Duke to discuss how leaders can learn from the COVID-19 crisis. 

a-conversation-with-author-speaker-and-decision-strategist-annie-duke

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen

Unlocking the Potential: How Much Can You Earn as an Onigilly Franchisee?

unlocking-the-potential-how-much-can-you-earn-as-an-onigilly-franchisee

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions

DeWitts Ignite New Chapter for Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions in Reno 

Grease, Grit, and Growth: DeWitts Ignite New Chapter for Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions in Reno, Nevada

grease-grit-and-growth-dewitts-ignite-new-chapter-for-filta-environmental-kitchen-solutions-in-reno-nevada

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Layne's Chicken Fingers-50 Unit-Wendy's-Franchisee-June-2025

Why This 50 Unit Wendy’s Franchisee Is Betting on Layne’s for His Next Big Move

wendys-franchisee-expands-with-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

CapitalSpring

CapitalSpring’s Jim Balis Talks Growth, ROI and the Future of Fast Casual on “Rock My Restaurant”

capitalsprings-jim-balis-talks-growth-roi-and-the-future-of-fast-casual-on-rock-my-restaurant

Children's Lighthouse

Children’s Lighthouse Ramps Up Growth in First Half of 2025 With Strategic Expansions, Franchise Signings, and New Headquarters

childrens-lighthouse-ramps-up-growth-in-first-half-of-2025-with-strategic-expansions-franchise-signings-and-new-headquarters

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Kelsey McManemin — Vice President of Marketing, HTeaO

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-kelsey-mcmanemin-vice-president-of-marketing-hteao

Photo of a large group of people standing in a circle, placing hands together in center

Franchise Opportunities for Minorities: Expanding the Franchise Network

franchise-opportunities-for-minorities

Missy Maio - Gong Cha - Top Franchise Marketing Leaders - 1851 Franchise

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Missy Maio — Vice President of Marketing and Global Partnerships, Gong Cha

franchise-marketing-leader-missy-maio-gong-cha

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

How This Franchise Consultant Turned a Love for Dogs Into a Business with Dog Training Elite

How This Franchise Consultant Turned a Lifelong Love for Dogs Into a Growing Business with Dog Training Elite

how-this-franchise-consultant-turned-a-lifelong-love-for-dogs-into-a-growing-business-with-dog-training-elite

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photos of Danielle Rosemond & Usman Khan & TruBlue logo

Family Members of Local Physicians Bring TruBlue Franchise to North Central Nassau, Long Island: A Health Care-Inspired Approach to Aging in Place

family-brings-trublue-franchise-to-north-central-nassau

A Conversation With: Author, Speaker and Decision Strategist Annie Duke

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS