It is interesting to analyze the reactions I recently got from CEOs when I contacted them about business during this period of confinement.

Let’s be honest, initially, I could not. I could not do any campaigns to promote the expansion of businesses from Europe to US. I was like most of you, frozen watching news on all possible medium. It took me a good week to understand that confinement was the new norm and for a while. After a week I realized that people needed to project themselves too. To when? To where? How? Nobody knows at this point. The future has never been so uncertain. However, one thing is certain: it is and will be different.

The plans are no longer valid. We all have to re-invent ourselves. The business opportunities we had before may come back but there is not good chance they won’t. At least not the same way. However, it is a chance to do things differently.

Image of USA expansion Seriously

This is a crisis. We all know that the word crisis in Chinese is the conjunction of two pictograms: Danger + Opportunity. Focusing on the danger is important but let’s not underestimate the chance we have to use this crisis as an opportunity.

I was infected with Covid-19. I spent 2 weeks wondering what was happening to me. Covid-19 is not the flu. It is much stronger than the flu. I am now healthy and happy it is something I overcame. Checking daily the temperature wondering when my body would be able to fight this thing was a real struggle. Past the stage of recovering from Mr C from China, I realized how lucky I was and decided to share my optimism with my peers and focus on the opportunity rather than the danger

We will live a PostWar period. We are living a war and should act accordingly. But preparing for after is the best medicine for this current unusual time. Despite the devastating impact in human lives the Covid-19 will have on populations, it is a wonderful opportunity to think different.

I decided to go back to work not just on existing projects but new ones and continue to launch outreach campaign with a new set of twists.

The first campaign I launched during the consignment was about PostWar actually.

I did not expect to close any deals but to plant seeds for the future.

Unbelievable response rate. Over 46% when I usually reach less than 5%.

Here are the reasons why:

  • 1
    The message was not intrusive. “Are you ready to prepare for PostWar?”
  • 2
    The timing was perfect. Never people were so available than these days. They are at home discovering their kids and spouses and at the same time would love to be at work. (Since I am exclusively working with CEOs, they have for most of them still a job!)
  • 3
    The plan was right. They are bored. They need to do something else than managing the new present. The new present is not fun for most of them. However, the new future could be.
  • 4
    The objective was clear. Let’s discover each other, bond with one another and plan for the new opportunities ahead of us. “How can I help you when things are back to normal?” “Let’s get ready while we have to time to be aggressive and opportunistic when the engine is back on.”

Hence, the title of this article, the reactions:

  • 1
    My business will be the same. I need to remain patient. 2020 is dead!
  • 2
    My business is dead. I need to re-invent myself and I need help. USA for later if one day.
  • 3
    My business will be indeed different. This period was a real wake up call. I could do more with less and be more effective. I also see opportunities for the future. How can we prepare things the right way?
  • 4
    My business is booming. It is clearly a compelling event for our activity. Let’s indeed maximize this unique period to plan seeds and be ready for the PostWar.

You understand clearly that my CRM is today filled with new #3 and #4 CEOs. So far 2 calls in 3 weeks with each of them to discuss the plans and already some new DEALS. Yes deals. I was planting seeds, I got trees. Small trees but trees.

To conclude my first article on Linkedin, note that some massive companies were founded during crisis like this one.

https://medium.com/swlh/13-massive-companies-that-started-during-a-recession-ba769e38d0ad

Even in Post 2008 crisis, successful businesses were launched.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/startups-great-recession