No one in the company is alone in his or her role. Nor is the company an isolated individual. Its successes and failures, its expansion or retreat, its future and its past, involve many collectives, stakeholders, the so called "stakeholders". stakeholders. The way you relate to them, the coexistence between parties, create an ecosystem for each company that gives it meaning, making it unique and different.
In times of storm, such as the one we are experiencing with COVID-19, priorities change, as do the relationships of trust between parties.
In times of crisis like the one we are experiencing with COVID-19, the company's relationship with them, and vice versa, cannot follow ordinary patterns. We are flying in the middle of a big storm, with great turbulence, tremendous uncertainty and very little visibility, we don't even know where we will land or if we will make it. But we are not flying alone, the same storm engulfs us all. Priorities have changed and the relationships of trust between parties are called into question. Just as in situations of great tension, risk or panic, we discover people in a naked reality of appearances, behaving as heroes or villains, so too in the company's relationship with its stakeholders, the relationship changes and becomes extreme.
These are my concise reflections on the stakeholders on which you should focus your attention and what keys you should use in your relationship with them.:
- Your team is key, tell them and look after them.
Communicate with them on a daily basis. Let them know what is going on in the company. If they know the problems, they will understand the decisions, even anticipate them. They will know that they have a lot to contribute to solutions.
- Your customers they are your future, make them see you as an ally
They are going through their own ordeal, they see in your company an ally who will fight for common goals. The relationship you forge now will shape your future relationship with them.
- Your banks they are your partners, be transparent with them
Don't lose the trust you have earned over the years. They know what you are facing, explain to them what you need without complexes and with complete honesty. Sowing doubts now is reckless.
- Your suppliers are necessary, respect them
Remember that you are also someone's supplier. That says it all. Maintain the link. Look with them for ways to adapt their real capacity to serve you in the current circumstances. There are more possibilities than you think, as they are already experiencing similar situations with other customers and reaching agreements.
- Your partners are the backbone of the company, engage them even further
They must know that their primary responsibility is to safeguard the continuity of the enterprise. Even if they feel they are the owners, they cannot forget that the company is the livelihood and future of many of the above groups.
- Your cluster be an active member of the business community, be an active member
The company is part of a larger supply chain. Sometimes you compete, sometimes you partner. Now it is time to stand up for the industry you are part of without selfishness. Share information, experiences, unify messages to the environment, take joint actions of greater impact. Now you have to be very united to keep your region on the world map, you can't do it on your own.
- The company be a part of your destiny, take action and contribute
You will not come out of this well if everything around you loses out. Your strength will be greater the stronger your environment is. Your ability to contribute what you know how to do to the drama around you will give new meaning and significance to your organisation without the need to seek the limelight.
- Your family it is unconditional, it is a shared life project
Whoever loves you, wants to help you. It is not about sharing your problems. Turn your worries into challenges, into actions, into decisions to be taken. What would they do, what solution would they think of. Your children and your partner will appreciate knowing what worries you, what occupies you and what they can do. The family business is a shared project.
Remember, neither you nor the company is an isolated individual.. You don't have to be a hero, nor a charismatic leader, the storm's journey is safer if you are accompanied. Do your part of the job, but don't forget, help those around you to do theirs, and together you will make a safe landing easier.
#We are stronger together
