Business Leaders: Learning From Each Other

I have been lucky enough over the years to learn about business from mentors and have also been fortunate enough to create a network of peers who have provided support along the way. I think it is important for those who have been around the block to share with newer generations of business leaders. Knowledge flows the other way as well – I am constantly learning from the brilliant entrepreneurs I encounter – regardless of tenure. 

With this in mind, I recently gathered with a group of business leaders whose experience ran the gamut – from young entrepreneurs to established founders – to discuss the various challenges of starting a business and leading a company in the long-term. Unsurprisingly, our conversation turned to the economic effects of the COVID-19 outbreak – ones we are currently facing and also expect to in the months and years to come.

 What should business leaders and owners do to prepare for a crisis such as this, and what can we do to help along the way?

 Sam Caucci founder of 1HUDDLE a workforce training platform, spoke of how his company’s product – which gamifies employee training – can help companies whose workforces are going remote to train new employees effectively, easing concerns during this transitionary period. Adam Hanft, founder and CEO of Hanft Projects, echoed the idea that fostering trust between customers, employees (new and existing) and companies is of the upmost importance right now. Onboarding is a moment where you can build relationships, which is crucial during moments like this where anxiety runs high. This will help businesses and their people down the line.

 The long-lasting effects of the virus may be a surprise to us all – from changes in global supply chains to perhaps the restructuring of higher education in America altogether. Let us continue conversations such as these and be mindful of how we can pool experience to tackle new challenges as they arise.