No matter how well you plan, things don’t always go as expected. Whether it’s an unexpected shift in demand, a supply chain disruption, or even a sudden change in the market, small businesses must pivot quickly to stay afloat. The resilience of local businesses shines through in these moments—they adjust, adapt, and move forward, often with a new perspective. In this article, we’re sharing a few real-life examples of how local businesses, like yours, can make those quick pivots and stay resilient when faced with unexpected challenges.
From here on, we’ll hear from Sally Raderer, Partner and Head of Operations at Good Run Research, who will share her insights on the challenges and pivots that businesses like hers have navigated. With her experience in research and operations, Sally has seen firsthand how resilience and adaptability are crucial to success in today’s ever-changing business landscape.
Background & Context
Good Run Research & Recreation crafts custom research approaches to solve business challenges. At our anything-but-ordinary facility, The Rec Room, we host research, plus all kinds of meetings and events, ranging from client retreats to corporate holiday parties.
The Challenges, the Pivots, and the Takeaways
As experts in humans, we count on having a plan and being prepared to pivot. Unexpected events come up all the time – from weather, to unexpected client needs, to people just being people. A few past challenges and pivots included:
- Have GRRRV, Will Travel
We needed to conduct research in a disaster zone, but there were no hotels available. We pivoted by packing up our company’s RV with staff and supplies. Our team drove it to the disaster area and made it our mobile base of operations for the week. The result was an incredible on-the-ground research experience that gave our clients the insight they needed.
- FlashQual
We needed to conduct client research on a timeline and budget that would not allow for the face-to-face research that we would have recommended. As an alternative, we created FlashQual – Good Run’s proprietary qualitative methodology. Flash Qual allows participants to share a candid glimpse into their world and priorities, via on-the-go video. This quick (hence the Flash) alternative to moderated face-to-face research is a pivot within a pivot, because we can change-up the research questions as we go. This pivot was so successful that we’ve honed it into a go-to choice for all kinds of client research needs.
- We’re not in Kansas
In the middle of a day of research, bad weather swept through Richmond, and we were suddenly under a tornado warning. Instead of canceling research, we invited our research participants into our safe space, along with our research team. The conversation continued while everyone stayed safe, and the bad weather passed. This pivot was a one-time occurrence, but it reminded us of the magic of connecting consumers with the people producing the products and services they use.
- Supply Surprise
Two days before a client event, we opened the supply order to find that it was wrong. There was no time to order new supplies from our specialty source, so we looked to a local business who had an alternative. It wasn’t exactly what we’d originally planned, but it worked out fine. The client was appreciative of us going the extra mile to make sure their needs were met, and we were reminded that local businesses are unique and valuable partners.
The Takeaways
The hardest part of adapting to any pivot is breaking through the inertia of the moment before the pivot. Once we get going, we embrace the pivot whole-heartedly, to make sure it turns out well for our clients and our business. Some pivots result in a lasting change. Others are temporary. Either way, a pivot can be a growth experience for a business.
To a local business facing a pivot, our advice is:
- Take a deep breath.
- Get your team on board. They’ll be implementing your pivot, so they will be key to success.
- Look around for the resources you have – your staff, your supplies on hand, and other local businesses. How can you reimagine these to meet your needs?
- Keep in close communication with customers who may be impacted by your pivot. Most customers appreciate a business that goes the extra mile to create a workable solution, even if it’s a pivot from the normal.
