March 24, 2020: The Moment Time Stood Still
The world outside was eerily quiet as if holding its breath. Inside my Bangalore home, the only sound was the low hum of the television, casting an unsettling glow across the room. The world outside came to a sudden halt at precisely 8 PM. It was the moment when the reality of the pandemic started to sink in.
In a world turned upside down by the unexpected arrival of COVID-19, I found myself standing at the edge of uncertainty.
After 13 years of steering my business through calm and stormy seas alike, I was suddenly halted, left adrift in a sea of idle time. I bounced my foot nervously, my mind racing with questions, and I found myself locked in a relentless battle with the question that haunts every entrepreneur: What now?
Little did I know that this moment would be the catalyst for a transformation journey that would test my resilience, adaptability, and determination. But for now, I could only sit and wait as the chaos went full swing.
A Crushing Blow
Fast forwarding to April 7th, an email of devastation struck me with incredible force. As I read the words, it felt like a really strong earthquake shaking my world. My largest client, an Indian IT giant, suddenly terminated all my contract resources, abruptly snatching away the solid ground beneath my feet. My business lost 80% of its revenue instantly.
Looking back, it was a turning point that forced me to reevaluate my path and find a new way forward. But for now, all I could do was sit and process the shock of the moment as the weight of the unknown loomed over me.
Empty Streets, Empty Days: The New Normal
By May, my once bustling home in Bangalore had transformed into a fortress of solitude. I found myself looking out the window more often than not, the emptiness of the streets mirroring my own. Each day was a carbon copy of the last; the only indication of time marching forward was the changing date on my wall calendar.
Desperate Measures & the Downward Spiral
June brought with it a sense of desperation. I was in a rush, trying everything possible, eager to find a way through this storm. I dived into marketing, absorbing every bit of information, hoping to change my fortune. But in my hurry, I got drawn into tempting get-rich-quick schemes. The allure of becoming an overnight internet success or a crypto expert was too hard to resist.
The irony of my situation was not lost on me. The more I tried to force success, the further away it seemed to be. It was a time of confusion and frustration as I struggled to find my footing in a world that had been turned upside down.
Reboot 2.0
The months that followed were a blur of frustration and defeat. I had lost more than just money to these quick-fix gurus; I had lost precious time. But it’s often in the negative moments that our resolve is tested and strengthened. I began to sift through the noise, focusing my efforts on learning genuine digital tools and strategies.
And thus began the next chapter – Reboot 2.0.
In the landscape of my own solitude, I found solace within the pages of books – my silent yet transformative companions. Two particular manuscripts left a mark on my consciousness: “Internet Business Manifesto” by Rich Schefren and “The One Page Marketing Plan” by Allan Dib. While Schefren’s discourse illuminated the art of strategic thinking and leveraging my unique capabilities, Dib’s guide painted the full spectrum of marketing before my eyes. Their compact and digestible wisdom became my lighthouse in the vast sea of enterprise.
Now, I saw the world in a different light. The scope of my business took a fresh direction, guided by this new insight. Instead of chasing big fish, those one or two major clients, We decided to turn our business towards a digital-first strategy. We set our sights on aiding the small businesses and start-ups that had dreams bigger than their reach – those who wished to create a substantial online presence but were hindered by a lack of qualified resources.
First, We remodelled our business infrastructure to cater to this new market and incorporated the tools and resources necessary for a digital-first approach. Then, we reshaped our marketing to target these small businesses, making it clear that we understood their needs and could offer them effective solutions.
Why this blog? Why now?
This blog is not just about strategy or marketing. It’s my journey filled with experiences and wisdom gained. The challenges I faced gave me my purpose. Starting with two books, I continued learning and gaining valuable insights.
Here are 5 valuable lessons I learned
- Be Strategic- Anticipate, Don’t react
- Play the game according to your strength – Don’t try to compete with Sachin in cricket.
- Sales and Marketing are the twin gods of Success
- Be a rubber band – Always snap back when life stretches you
- Practice Empathy – Understand your customers better than they understand themselves
Above all, this blog reflects my dedication to continuous growth. It shares the principles that influenced my digital journey. I hope to empower and drive individuals like us through this platform with the wisdom I’ve gleaned and continue to acquire.
I have a notebook filled with wisdom from books, my experiences, and businesses I’ve interacted with. I want to share this knowledge with others and inspire them on their business journeys. I’ve found a niche on the internet where I guide people in the world of digital entrepreneurship. Let’s explore this exciting world together.
