
For every crisis, there is a solution. For the coronavirus, there will be many.
Look at who is hiring: Amazon, grocery stores, distribution centers. There was just an extensive story this morning on my newsfeed about how “big” wins – the big guys get ahead and the little guys lose. Amazon, Target and Walmart were all mentioned. In fact, one of the most identifying quotes was one that stated, “Amazon will become like infrastructure.”
That’s both terrifying and indicative of what is currently happening in response to the virus, and logically projecting who will get further ahead in the weeks, months and perhaps even years ahead. Someone will. And it will be those with the tactics, will, knowledge and insights to take necessary steps to see the changes and ride them.
It doesn’t mean though that it’s only going to be companies who already have the resources. That will matter, of course, and gives them a huge advantage over most of us. There is still opportunity for us little guys.
One I’ve thought about is the mask. Simple little thing, isn’t it? Take a patch of cloth. Sew on some straps. Done.
People are being quite creative with this. In a personal sampling this week as I went to the supermarket, I counted those who did and didn’t wear a mask. It was approximately 30 percent of people in the story wearing masks.
That’s a market currently underserved, so people are creating. They sew their own. They take material that is funny, interesting or makes a statement and they imprint it on their mask. What an idea.
Masks will become fashion statements in the next two months. Mark my words. It is only a matter of time. Everyone wants an imprint.
What is the entrepreneur to do? Serve this market. Identify this trend and respond. Make samples and begin selling to friends and neighbors. I’m confident this is already happening over and over across the U.S., and probably the world.
The big guys can’t manufacture the masks fast enough, so others step in. That’s the way it goes.
Similar to this is disinfectant wipes. My job, for example, is deemed essential. But we need wipes to clean doorknobs, and other key places touched, on a regular basis. Without wipes, we can’t meet that standard.
You’ve probably read of the small batch liquor manufacturers changing over their production processes to meet this demand. I’m not sure how long this would take, or how long this extra need of the product will occur, but what it does say is there’s an opportunity to sell something if you rapidly adapt to an identified market. Those small manufacturers are gonna be busy, for the foreseeable future, no question.
And who knows how the virus is going to change our behavior, attitudes and routines in the years ahead. Articles are already coming out about how Millennials will live, shop and play, influenced by this virus, similar to actions that occurred after 9-11 (security at airports, checking bags before major events). The virus response will be more far-reaching because the tension, confusion and uncertainty will last longer and affect each person in a different way.
There is no best path moving forward. Each of us has to navigate this unknowable “thing” that is difficult to picture and define. But we will be changed, and some people or businesses are going to get in front more quickly, and we’ll hear about them in 2021 and beyond.