Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered
by experiencing a terrifying event. Although not at the level of enduring a war zone,
the events of March 2020 may leave you feeling similar symptoms.

If you’re like most business owners, the first quarter of the year was progressing
like any other.

Then…bang!

A superbug started terrorizing the world. Professional basketball was canceled.
One by one, the world began to close its doors.

A significant blow impacted your business unless you offer an essential service.
Perhaps you’ve stabilized your company, or you might still be experiencing the
worst of it. Either way, you’re probably a different person as a result of this
pandemic.

Now, as things begin to slowly reopen, you may notice a change in your outlook.
The Mayo Clinic reports four symptoms of PTSD:

1. Intrusive memories: recurrent, unwanted thoughts
2. Avoidance: trying not to think about the trauma
3. Negative changes in thinking and mood: destructive thoughts about yourself
   and other people
4. Change in physical and emotional reactions: being easily frightened,
   overwhelming guilt, or substance abuse

   Any of those sound familiar?

   If so, you may be experiencing the psychological toll a catastrophic event can have
   on your psyche. There are three constructive things you can do now.

   Option #1: Talk to Someone

   Soldiers deal with PTSD by talking to a psychotherapist. Speaking to an advisor
   about how this pandemic has impacted your business can be therapeutic, and
   we’re here to help.

   Option #2: Rebuild a More Durable Business

   Another constructive reaction to this crisis is to commit to building a more durable
   business that can better withstand shocks to the system in the future.

   Option #3: Sell

   Many owners—especially those that experienced the brunt of the 2008–09 global
   financial crisis—have been so traumatized by this pandemic that they don’t have
   the stomach for another disaster. As a result, they’ve decided to start planning their
   exit proactively.

   If you find yourself choosing option 2 or 3, your immediate action plan will be the
   same. There are some things you can do now that will make your business more
   durable in the long term as well as more sellable:

   1. Focus on your products and services where you have a point of
   differentiation. You’ll have more pricing authority in the short term, have
   better cash flow, and be more attractive to an acquirer in the long run.

   2. Create recurring revenue streams that generate sales while you sleep. These
   can be in the form of service contracts, subscriptions, or maintenance plans.
   Aim to get the majority of your revenue automatically De-risk your business, ensuring you’re not too reliant on a single customer or supplier.

   3. Create an employee handbook and systematize your processes to lessen
   your dependence on a key employee (or you calling all of the shots).

   4. Clean up your bookkeeping.

   5. Generate as much cash as possible from customers up front to create a
   positive cash flow cycle.

   If you’re like a lot of the owners we work with, your business is part of who you are.
   When that gets threatened, it’s natural to feel traumatized. If you can redirect that
   energy into building a more durable business, you may never have to experience
   something like this again.