The key to building business relationships in a disrupted economy

The global economy faced unprecedented disruption during the pandemic, but B2B SaaS businesses adapted to new realities by focusing on building strong relationships with their clients and their employees. They took proactive measures to support them, showed empathy, and provided value in every interaction. By leveraging technology to stay connected virtually, these businesses maintained a strong connection with their clients and employees, ensuring their success.

As the pandemic recedes, B2B SaaS businesses have emerged stronger than ever, having developed resilient relationships with both their clients and employees. By prioritizing proactive communication, value-driven service, and customer success, they have proven themselves as trusted advisors and partners. The disruptions caused by the pandemic served as a catalyst for innovation and growth, leading to a more optimistic future for B2B SaaS businesses.

To continue thriving in this new era, businesses must focus on building strong relationships with their clients and employees. By understanding their needs and concerns, and taking the initiative to offer solutions and support, businesses can build meaningful and long-lasting relationships based on mutual trust and respect. In the following sections, we'll explore key ways that B2B SaaS businesses can implement to build these relationships and ensure stability and long-term growth.

Internal relationships—your team

Your staff should be among the first to receive communication about current events and how they might be impacted. Here are a few suggestions for working with your team to navigate through times of uncertainty.

Maintaining Communication

If layoffs or furloughs are expected to preserve the business, make these individuals aware as soon as you can. Transparency and communication with this relationship are critical to maintaining these relationships. Develop a plan to reintroduce these employees back into the business once the dark period has passed, and make all parties aware of this plan.

Planning Ahead

Most businesses are able to thrive simply because they seek out long term goals. When developing a return plan, prioritize the top talent of the agency based upon their skills and their responsibilities. As business begins to pick up and the demand increasing, have this talent start to return to work at the same rate. You do not want to bring back too many employees until the workload justifies it for the overall business. 

During this time of reduced services, take advantage of remodeling your business. In order for your business to maintain success and stay competitive at the turn of the economy, allow this time to shift duties and assignments around increasing production. This is also a good time to take advantage of employee certification and trainings that may have gotten behind while trying to maintain the customer demand. 

External Relationships - Customers, Supply Chain, etc.

Like your customers, a plan must be developed to reintroduce customers and the supply chain vendors that you work with regularly back into the business. To start with, begin with maintaining your customer relationship.

Show Support During The Disrupted Economy

If your business is unable to provide services or products for your customers, assist them with substitutes to get them through until business is operational. For example, if you own a nail salon take advantage of this time to offer at home tutorials for your customers. Provide videos on how to keep nails clean and filed appropriately until your salon reopens for business. This time and care shows your customers how much you value them, their health, and your relationship. 

When the time comes to reopen, send different forms of communication to let your customers know when you will do a soft open. If you will be operating under restrictions and have requirements, it is critical to make that information is available as possible. Use emails, texts, and social media outlets to supply the same uniform message. These new processes are as overwhelming for them as they are for you and your employees. 

Offer Compassion To Your Supply Chain Relationships

When the economy undergoes a severe disruption, all industries become affected. Just like you, your suppliers are experiencing difficulties and will require your patience. Kindly reach out to these suppliers about delivery, seeing what options works best for their system and your business operations. Offer to communicate via phone or email, making yourself available and showing them you value your working relationship. Offering a mutual respect and understanding regarding the economy and the effects it has on them will encourage them to maintain that relationship with you once the economy returns to normal operations. 

Moving Forward

Although the economy has been disrupted and the return to normal operations may seem a good distance away, now is the time to take care of your relationships, both internally and externally. How you maintain those relationships and stay proactive will determine your success later.

Our services help you take the right steps to restructure your business marketing strategy. Find out today how we can help you maintain these relationships and take advantage of this opportunity. Schedule a consultation with our founder.