Post Coronavirus: how to get back to business with clients, colleagues and suppliers

The post coronavirus phase awaiting companies, co-workers and clients is very complicated, as everyone has had different experiences and reacted in different ways. As a result of the Covid-19 crisis, some people may have changed completely and, for this reason, it is important to work out which is the best approach in order to facilitate the best possible interaction.

Finding the right way to do this however, is not easy and will require considerable effort on both sides. While companies must try to understand the state of mind of both staff and clients, individuals must be willing to come to terms with potential changes (whether subconscious or not) in themselves.

The psychological impact of the coronavirus

Psychologically speaking, the issues arising from the Covid-19 pandemic are something to which modern man is un-accustomed. Restrictions such as limits on free movement and the impossibility of seeing loved ones or carrying out everyday tasks may have had a significant impact on many people’s personalities.

Every individual is different and will react to situations differently. As already mentioned, companies wishing to adopt the right approach must be aware of this fact and make sure that they are ready to welcome back staff and clients in an appropriate manner during the post coronavirus phase.

As a result of these recent events, people can be categorised according to their personality traits (and their corresponding reactions to the imposed quarantine period) as follows:

• Extrovert and sociable people, who, during isolation, suffered considerable stress and now feel the need to get out and resume their normal routine as soon as possible;
• Loners or introverts, for whom the lockdown has been a chance to try a new way of life that they would now prefer not to give up;
• Set in their ways and averse to change; these people have struggled to adapt to the unprecedented situation, thereby experiencing a lot of tension;
• Flexible and easy-going; thanks to their versatility, these people have managed to find the positive aspects of such a challenging time.

The five approaches to adopt with colleagues and clients

Supporting co-workers and clients is essential for companies hoping for a rapid return to business in the post coronavirus period. In order to achieve this, there are some simple guidelines to follow, which help everyone involved gradually resume their social and professional activities, while, at the same time, finding the right balance again.

Interaction with colleagues:

1. Trying to identify and understand the personality of all co-workers (even longstanding ones) is the first step towards understanding how to help them;
2. Building a simple, direct dialogue can allow colleagues to understand aspects of their new personality better, so as to make them aware of the changes they have undergone;
3. Supplying the tools and methods required to deal with any issues which may emerge from this dialogue;
4. Transforming this type of approach into an ongoing strategy for the future.
5. Applying the five golden rules of the so-called magic formula: listen, understand, give back, communicate, will facilitate empowerment.

Welcoming clients:

1. It is very important to maintain intelligent relations with your client base. It is essential to take care to use the right tone of voice when addressing them (it is useful to know their various personalities in order to select the best approach).
2. Help clients to understand themselves and their objectives better, by building a relationship based on transparency;
3. Guide them towards an understanding of their real needs;
4. Steer all actions towards a more social approach, to help build trust in your brand;
5. Help clients understand what they really need, rather than pursuing a purely sales-dominated strategy.

Introducing these minor adjustments will help make the post coronavirus period less traumatic. Of course, it will require a lot of patience and dedication, but with a combined effort, the return to normality will be much smoother.

Translated by Joanne Beckwith