As you reopen your company, people you previously did business with might or might not return with you. Or, it could be the same people, but in different positions, not necessarily having the same latitude and/or resources at their disposal. These individuals, vendors or customers, will most likely continue their relationships, but it will probably be one that’s changed. So, you’ll need to re-establish said relationships and do so in a thoughtful and careful manner. Why Business Relations are Now more Important and Fragile than Ever Of course, whether or not you’re dealing with the same individuals and/or roles Will depend on a number of factors. It’s important to understand and accept the fact that you have no control over these situations. That means you’ll have to make adjustments on your end, in order to make the relationships work. Hopefully, the people you deal with will have some say of their own, but it’s best to hope for the best and plan for the worst. In the early months of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted wide-sweeping shutdowns and shelter-in-place orders across the United States. Now, as parts of the country look to start relaxing these strict measures, small business owners need to think about what’s next and how they will adapt and move forward safely and sustainably. —U.S. Chamber of Commerce As you reopen, some of the individual vendors and customers you previously worked with might not come back. Also, there’s the inevitability of personnel change among vendors you worked with prior to the shutdown. This means they’ll be some level of give and take, and you’ll need to temper your expectations from time to time until the new relationship takes form. How to (Re)Establish Business Relationships Post Shutdown Going forward, This new and strange dynamic will present its own set of challenges. But, with a bit of patience, tact, and along the way analysis, you can either establish new business relationships or re-establish old ones. Here’s how: Reach out. Obviously, this is where you’ll start. Reach out to those you had the strongest relationships before. Then, to others and go down the list to eventually get to those you only occasionally worked with prior to the shut down. Listen carefully. When you do speak to vendors and customers, make a conscious decision to actively listen. Don’t give into the urge to carry on about your business. Instead, take the time to listen carefully to them and learn about their circumstances. Communicate clearly. By the same token, be honest about your situation, exactly where you stand, and where you expect to be in the near future. In short, under promise and over deliver. Offer Meeting options. Not all clients, customers or partners will feel comfortable meeting in person so offer them options. We have asked our clients; would you prefer to do a video or ZOOM conference or have us meet you in person. Just asking shows you are sensitive to their concerns. Pay on time, every time. Also, be sure not to get too far ahead of yourself so you’re always in a position to pay on time, every time you receive an invoice. Otherwise, you’re opening yourself for trouble. Refer good vendors to others. Another thing you can do is to refer your favorite vendors (and customers) to others to show your appreciation. What other suggestions do you have? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Inflation in the United States is at its highest level in 31 years, according to the Wall Street Journal. Currently, it’s measuring around 6%, and complicating matters more is supply chain issues, along with shortages in key materials, as well as labor availability. Due to these factors, businesses are faced with the decision to raise prices. Although practically any business owner would resist, this just isn’t a sound strategy. When a company’s costs rise, it must pass on at least a portion to consumers. If businesses don’t raise prices, they obviously reduce their margins, thereby reducing their revenues. So, do small businesses deal with inflation? How Small Businesses can Deal with Inflation Fortunately, there are a few key strategies you can employ to help your company through an inflationary cycle. One step you can take is to offer bulk discounts on the products you sell, incentivizing your customers to purchase more in exchange for paying less overall. Another thing that you can do is to use the same strategy for wholesale vendors, asking them for a slightly higher discount in exchange for purchasing more inventory, or materials and supplies. The PPI — producer price index– measures the prices of goods immediately postproduction and serves as a critical indicator of the pressure facing companies. Companies that weathered previous storms the best took decisive steps to counter rising inflation by pushing through price increases consistent with PPI — but that alone was not enough. —Havard Business Review Small businesses can also help to offset inflationary pressures by scheduling jobs further into the future. Since materials are more scarce at the moment, this might not be a viable strategy. Of course, this does come with a good deal of risk, because you don’t have a crystal ball into what will unfold over the next several months. Yet another strategy for coping with inflation is to move to alternative materials and supplies that cost a little less. But, be aware this might also mean having to settle for a lesser quality product. 3 Biggest Inflation Price-Adjustment Mistakes to Avoid If these strategies aren’t enough or don’t appeal to you, there are definitely things you should avoid doing. Because any one of these will likely be extremely costly in one way or another. Here are the three most dangerous mistakes businesses really need to avoid in their inflation adjustment pricing: Apologizing. Sure, it’s human nature to empathize. But, you’re not the driving force in rising prices, nor are you in control of the elements that are causing inflation to rise. Although it’s tempting to apologize for having to charge more, it puts you in a position of weakness and can easily lead to you reducing prices at a time where it’s just not feasible. Overcharging. Obviously, price gouging is illegal. But, charging more (particularly above the new, higher market rate) in order to cover your rising costs and increase your margin at the same time is not advisable. Doing this will only result in driving customers to look for less expensive alternatives in your competitors and leave you with a guilty conscience. Undercharging. This is perhaps the biggest temptation small business owners face during inflationary periods. They empathize with their customers, being affected in their own personal lives too. So, they decide to keep their prices the same or only raise them as little as possible, thereby cutting into their margins. While customers will certainly appreciate the break, it could very well become a self-inflicted wound that leads to ruin. What other suggestions do you have for dealing with inflation price adjustments? Please take a brief moment to leave a comment and share your thoughts and experiences so others can benefit from your strategies. Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.