Every business is different, but every business can improve.

It’s been an unusual year, to say the least. Almost every sector has been impacted by the Coronavirus, with many reporting vast changes in working models, practices and opportunities, it’s more crucial than ever to ensure your business is keeping up.

Although we can’t say for sure what the ‘new normal’ will look like yet, it’s fairly obvious that it will include developments across all industries in one form or another. Businesses that use these changes as an opportunity to adapt will be more likely to grow and thrive.

Communicate well.

As prolific presidential speech writer James Humes noted, “The art of communication is the language of leadership.”

If this year has taught us anything it’s that businesses that communicate well are often able to adapt quickly to changes. Finding new ways to involve your staff in decision making, hosting meetings and even team bonding are essential aspects of a prosperous business model. There’s a variety of communication tools on the market, and you’ll likely need to consider a number of variables to decide which is best for you. But, it’s not just about the tools you use, it’s the messaging you convey. Consider how often you’re in touch with your workforce and why. As management consultant Peter Drucker commented, “The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn’t being said.”

Make time for conversation, and then craft a schedule to maintain it. Creating a communications plan might be your first step towards a more informed and better-connected team this year.

Invest in your staff.

Cognitive scientist and founder of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology AI laboratory Marvin Minsky once said, “You don’t understand anything until you learn it more than one way.”

For some businesses this comes naturally, and for others it’s a conscious effort to put the time and resources into offering their staff new learning opportunities. Finding ways to grow and equip your staff not only benefits your output, it also strengthens your employer relationship with them as individuals. Showing that you care about the training and upskilling of your staff can become a part of your business strategy, as Susan Wharton from Angels Solicitors LLP says, “…it is a policy of the firm that we will provide a lifetime of learning and training to our employees to a national standard.” Coventry College has worked closely with the leading law firm for many years, providing the training that they are dedicated to supplying. We work in synergy with businesses to ensure our training meets your needs and doesn’t interrupt your daily work.

“…our employees achieve training and qualifications to a national standard with as little disruption as possible to the working day.  There are regular visits and support is always available as and when required.”

Invest in your future.

The key to success is often a combination of growing an existing team and adding to it with the right people. As Ford’s Lee Lacocca once commented,

“I hire brighter than me and then I get out of their way.”

But for many businesses the recruitment process is not so simple. Finding fresh young talent can require hours of time that many of us simply don’t have. One solution is to make the most of apprentices. Benefiting both parties, apprenticeships offer a cost-effective way of bringing new talent and original ideas to the table whilst developing the apprentice’s skills and knowledge in line with your business needs. As Angels Solicitors comments,

“…having apprentices from Coventry College has increased productivity and assisted with the financial success of the firm.”

Apprentices often come with a commitment and enthusiasm that traditional recruitment campaigns struggle to unearth. Offering both practical and technical learning, apprentices are able to train in line with your company values. Susan Wharton commented,

“Some of the apprentices have proved to be our best employees.”

Getting started with an apprentice is straightforward and bespoke to your business. Coventry College offers a free recruitment service to help you find the right candidate and improve your business prospects.