1851

The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in a great deal of uncertainty across the globe. For countries experiencing mandatory lock down and quarantine guidelines, adjusting to life indoors with little outside contact can be tricky. For the thousands of businesses and companies that are operating in these countries, the uncertainty that comes with the quarantine is even more intense. With many businesses being forced to shutdown and stop operations, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/cnbc-coronavirus-job-losses-could-total-47-million-unemployment-rate-may-hit-32-fed-estimates-2712672#stories">unemployment rates have skyrocketed</a>, especially in the United States.&nbsp;With so much negativity surrounding businesses during these times, it can be difficult for entrepreneurs and business owners to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It is crucial to remember that everyone is facing this issue together. According to Bryan Klein, founder and CEO of The MAX Challenge, the best way to face this obstacle is by approaching it with a sense of compassion.&nbsp;"A business that acts too much like a business will not be in business much longer,” said Klein. “Have compassion and show kindness to your customers and community."&nbsp;Being kind to customers and clients during these difficult times will strengthen relationships and build trust. However, while it’s crucial to remain empathic, it’s also important to reposition the business in wake of the current events.“Business will never be the same as we've known it before,” Paul Segreto, CEO of Franchise Foundry. “Moving forward will affirm entry into the relationship economy—one built upon mutual respect, loyalty and confidence. I'm a firm believer in this quote by Maya Angelou: ‘I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ Brands that pay more attention to delivering positively memorable experiences at all times will survive and thrive. Unfortunately, it'll cause a wider gap for those brands that don't pivot in this direction. The competitive edge will be how a brand makes customers (and clients) feel. It will be more personal and emotional but then again, what relationship isn't?”&nbsp;Moving forward, the businesses that are able to survive this crisis will be the compassionate ones that can pivot their business to serve their customers and community members. While changing a business model is no easy challenge, approaching situations from a place of kindness is always the easiest and most effective way to start.&nbsp;“This is the time to treat your customers like friends,” said Natalie Perkins, CEO of Bella Ballerina. “We are all connected—everyone just wants reassurance that they are doing the right thing and spending their money in the right place. This is the time to do right by everyone.”&nbsp;Business owners should start this pivot by asking themselves what they can do to relate to the humanity of their customers. When business owners discover how they can relate to customers on the most basic level, the rest of the pieces fall into place. Business or not, everyone one of us is facing this challenge, and the businesses that are seeing the most success are the ones that are able to practice compassion.

Balancing Business and Compassion During the Coronavirus Crisis

1851 Franchise

1851 Franchise spoke with industry experts to learn how to approach the challenges of the pandemic with empathy while maintaining the protocols of a business. 

balancing-business-and-compassion-during-the-coronavirus-crisis

Children's Lighthouse

Children’s Lighthouse Wraps Up Q1 With Two New Openings and Continued Industry Recognition

childrens-lighthouse-wraps-up-q1-with-two-new-openings-and-continued-industry-recognition

Happy Joe’s Franchising

Why Texas Is the Perfect State To Open a Happy Joe’s Franchise

why-texas-is-the-perfect-state-to-open-a-happy-joes-franchise

Seniors Helping Seniors®

Photo of two people, with white hair, sitting on couch, smiling at each other

Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Care Services Expands in Manassas and Fredericksburg, Virginia

seniors-helping-seniors-in-home-care-services-expands-in-manassas-and-fredericksburg-virginia

BooXkeeping

Tech-Driven Bookkeeping: How BooXkeeping Franchisees Are Embracing the Future

tech-driven-bookkeeping-how-booxkeeping-franchisees-are-embracing-the-future

Fitness Premier

Fitness Premier's State-of-the-Art Facilities and Multi-Discipline Approach Fuels Franchise Owner Success

fitness-premiers-state-of-the-art-facilities-and-multi-discipline-approach-fuels-franchise-owner-success

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 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

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

FAT Brands Becomes First Restaurant Franchise To Accept Bitcoin for Royalty Payments

fat-brands-becomes-first-restaurant-franchise-to-accept-bitcoin-for-royalty-payments

Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs To Retire in 2026 After 36 Years With the Company

yum-brands-ceo-david-gibbs-to-retire-in-2026-after-36-years-with-the-company

Hooters Bankruptcy - Chapter 11 - April 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Files for Bankruptcy, Sells Restaurants to Franchisee Group

hooters-bankruptcy-chapter-11-april-2025

Fly Dance Fitness Expands With First Franchise Location in Georgia

fly-dance-fitness-franchise-expansion

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

1851 Agg - McDonald's Sales Decline Expansion Continues - 1851 Franchise

McDonald’s Franchisees Feel the Pressure as Sales Decline and Expansion Continues

mcdonalds-franchisees-feel-the-pressure-as-sales-decline-and-expansion-continues

Design with hundred dollar bill and orange "recession" banner across the middle

ABC News: Recession Risks Are Rising, Economists Say. Here’s What to Know.

recession-risks-impact-economy-franchise-world

Florida Franchisee Reflects on Success and Growth with Sylvan Learning

florida-franchisee-reflects-on-success-and-growth-with-sylvan-learning

Franchise Deep Dive: Studio Pilates Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

franchise-deep-dive-studio-pilates-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Military Veteran and Craft Beer Enthusiast to Bring Voodoo Brewing Co. to Toledo, Ohio

military-veteran-and-craft-beer-enthusiast-to-bring-voodoo-brewing-co-to-toledo-ohio

Balancing Business and Compassion During the Coronavirus Crisis

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS