Bob Hendrickson

It’s always disappointing to have plans change or get cancelled due to unforeseen and uncontrollable situations. We’ve gone through a lot of it in 2020. But that shouldn’t keep us from planning for the future.

Part of the resolve of businesses and organizations is to work through difficulties. A few weeks ago, I wrote about the “pivot,” having to change plans quickly and sometimes unplanned due to the ever-evolving COVID restrictions. This is an adaptation that we have been thrown into unlike any other time in our current history.

I suspect that we’ll be able to use the traits learned this past year for years to come. COVID won’t be the last challenge small business will go through. There will still need to be a fluid plan on the shelf just in case the uncertain happens.

The “what if’s” should always be considered in the business plan for the future. This I believe will be the benefit of living through 2020. One thing we’ve found is that everything is not for certain and even things we thought would never change can.

When planning into 2021 and beyond, take what we’ve learn in 2020 and apply it to new strategies in your business or organization. If anything, I hope we can come out of this stronger and more adaptable than ever.

The other thing I believe that has really shown through in 2020 is the compassion and helping hands that reached out to help where they can. Even though we are in a very divided time politically, our true Yooper character really shined through in 2020.

From pop-up food banks to financial support for our local businesses, people have really concentrated their focus to helping their local communities be successful. This too I believe will extend in to 2021 and if we can stay aware of what can be done locally there is no reason for it not to keep continuing for years to come.

So, as we approach the end of 2020 let’s reflect on lessons learned and strategies accomplished from the past year and apply them to 2021. There will still need to be times for the “pivot” but I feel we’ll be much more prepare for them when those times come.

The GINCC wishes everyone Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas. May your New Year be peaceful, prosperous and enjoyable.

To learn more about the GINCC, visit our website at www.gincc.org, give us a call or stop in. Our hours are 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday. We are at times out of office on Chamber business. Please call ahead to confirm we’ll be in office, 906-486-1111.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Bob Hendrickson is the executive director of the GINCC. He currently resides in Negaunee with his wife, Laura, and daughter, Sierra. He enjoys mountain biking, skiing, fishing and hunting along with family time.