Trisha Fridrich of The L&W Team spoke with us this week to give insight and tips on how operators can prep for whatever is to come in the next few months. Trisha was a sightseeing tour operator for more than a decade before starting The L&W Team, which helps tour and travel companies be more efficient. With all the uncertainty and subsequent pressure to be ready, these are good to keep in mind as things begin to reopen.
Cut Costs Now
Most organizations have already done this over the past year, but Trisha recommends a certain lens to analyze costs. Ask the question, “Does it do what you want it to do?” If the answer is no, or sort of, this might be something to consider eliminating or finding a suitable alternative. Once you’ve done this Marie Kondo-style analysis, you’ll go into the summer as lean as possible, which will allow breathing room for growth at whatever speed the demand allows.
A Start-up Mindset
As you begin to ramp up, taking a start-up mindset is essential. Being scrappy, saving money, and doing everything possible on a shoestring will help ensure that you will be in a comfortable position to continue to adapt when the money does start to flow again. Having this mindset will allow for the flexibility that will inevitably be necessary in the coming months.
There is No Right Answer
Endless questions are swirling around in everyone’s head about reopening dates, timelines, vaccines, and regulations, but embracing that you won’t know the answers is a useful step towards growth. If we focus on what we do have control over, we will make better decisions and eventually be better positioned for when things do fully reopen.
Returning to Better
There is no “getting back to normal,” but rather, we are returning to better. Better might not be where we were in March of 2020; it might even look completely different, but returning is the key. Take the pressure off to come back at 100% as soon as things open and instead focus on returning in any capacity when the demand allows for it.
Join Trish for her in-depth workshop on how operators can plan ahead for an uncertain season at our Spring into Summer event, part of the Arival Accel series, May 4-5.
