I get it. Your world has been turned upside down in the last few weeks – or is about to be. Tourism is one of the (many) industries deeply impacted by Coronavirus. It is hard to feel hopeful and optimistic when all the news on TV, your phone and your laptop is so dire. Maybe it would help to see some examples of people making the best of a bad situation which might, in turn, give you some ideas.
The egg fridge.
I live in a rural area of Upstate N.Y. and walk four miles a day no matter what the weather report says. Every day I walk by this egg fridge. As you can see, one of my neighbors took an old refrigerator, chained it to the guardrail so it wouldn’t fall over, and filled the freezer compartment with eggs. You see, her husband died suddenly last fall and this hobby quickly became a way for her to make money. Inside the freezer compartment is a money box for your $2. I have been buying my eggs there weekly. Some of the neighbors think it makes us look like rednecks, but my visiting friends and family (back when that was a thing 3 weeks ago) think it is charming and a perfect depiction of life in the country.
Maple Weekend NY
Did you know that NY State is the country’s second-largest producer of Maple syrup, after Vermont? There are many family-owned maple syrup operations throughout the state (I profiled one here several years ago). For two weekends in March every year, the Maple Weekends offer open houses, tastings and pancake breakfasts. But not this year.
Timber Trails Forest Farm is a small operation that I also walk by every day. Cody started his business as a teenager and has slowly grown to offer syrup, wild-grown mushrooms and garden produce This was his second time participating in Maple Weekend and he was ready for the families that are always looking for outside activities this time of year.
The rules and laws in NY are getting more restrictive daily and Maple Weekend has been canceled. But when I walked by this morning, I was so impressed with Cody’s ingenuity! Check out his self serve facility! He uses technology by taking payment with a QR code, and faith that people who don’t use that method will put cash in the slot. While staying inside his cabin and boiling sap, he can chat with people through the closed window.
He didn’t give up in the face of a last-minute challenge. Cody figured out how he can still sell his product and keep his customers safe.
But your situation is different, right?
Of course, all of us are dealing with challenges that are unique and that might seem insurmountable. But now it is time for us as leaders in our organizations to figure out a way to find opportunities in the challenges.
Last chance to join the free 5-day S.W.O.T Challenge
Today starts the free 5 Day S.W.O.T Challenge. Each day you will get an email with a link to a short video and a bit of homework. You choose the situation, program or product you want to S.W.O.T, and I will give you a framework on how to get some insight, and walk away with some ideas. The program will be closed to new members tonight so join us now!