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Jeff Sarris • 04.25.20 • Resilience

Preparing for the Post-Pandemic Pivot

Read Time: 4 minutes

Lately, I’ve been thinking about our post-pandemic lives and what could be on the horizon. It seems that you and I are both at a major inflection point. 

We’re going to need to reflect and then pivot. Allow me to explain. 

It was Valentine’s Day 2005 when the domain name was registered. Over the next several months they worked on the website until the eventual spring launch. 

At first, very few people were using the new video dating site. So few, in fact, that the founders began offering $20 to anyone who would upload a video. 

No one took them up on the offer. 

As the months went by, the founders couldn’t help but question the practical application of their site.

Their user base started to grow, but those users weren’t uploading dating videos. They were instead uploading videos of everything else. 

Recognizing this, YouTube pivoted shortly after its inception from a video dating site to the video sharing platform that we know today. 

A pivot is a shift in a new, but related direction. 

To pivot is to listen, to adapt, and to embrace the change that’s coming. And you and I both know that more change is on our horizon. 

We will need to pivot. We will need to determine how to proceed, both personally and professionally. We will need to adapt to our new normal.

One way to approach this pivot is to look at how we’ve chosen to spend our  time during quarantine. 

We’ve ditched the suit and the commute and spent that extra time doing the things that we’ve chosen to do.

Just as observing user behavior helped in the creation of YouTube, observing your behavior will help you reveal the ways in which you can adapt. Reflection will help you find your pivot. 

Consider the ways that you’ve chosen to spend your newfound free time. 

A lot of people have stepped up and started making face masks to support their community. They’ve tapped into their sewing skills and they’ve gotten to work. 

As an example of a pivot, let’s look at those who have earned a few extra bucks by selling their masks. 

While there have been, and currently are, near-term profits to be made, the market quickly became flooded with face mask makers. Currently, there are 270,000 listings for face masks on Etsy alone. It appears that face masks may not be the best long-term plan for a budding entrepreneur. 

But there’s so much to be learned from the endeavor. From writing copy, to selling, to producing and delivering on promises, selling anything is a DIY master class in business. 

Beyond the learning, there’s also an enormous opportunity to pivot. 

With every new listing, the demand for face masks diminishes. To adapt, these makers can look at what they’re already doing, creating what’s ostensibly a fashion accessory, and pivot to produce similar products using the same skill set. 

As with all pivots, the potential is endless, but someone who’s creating face masks today can use their skills to start creating and selling:

  • Handmade hats, scarves, and other apparel
  • Handmade pouches, totes, and accessories
  • Handmade phone, tablet, and laptop sleeves

The list goes on. 

And, through creating and selling masks right now, they’re establishing one of the most valuable entrepreneurial resources: brand. 

If they treat their customers well they’re already setting themselves up for a successful pivot. 

To pivot is to improve your resiliency by recognizing and pursuing your untapped potential. 

We all have valuable skills and talents that we can tap into to help support our future. All it takes is some observation and reflection to reveal our next pivot.

So let me know, how have you been spending your time in quarantine? And what kind of pivot do you see in your future?

As always, if you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out. 

Be well and stay safe. 

Jeff Sarris

is co-founder of SPYR, BYLT, host of Starting Now, and Executive Producer of the Netflix documentary Minimalism.

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Trackbacks

  1. Choices | Square Peg, Round Hole | Redefining Focus

    May 7, 2020

    recently received a great perspective on this, Preparing for the Post-Pandemic Pivot, by Jeff Sarris of BYLT by SPYR.  His viewpoint is fantastic as he points out that a pivot is ...

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