Today is my 25th wedding anniversary. When I look back over the years, I see the ups and downs of life and then replay the last 12 months that have brought more change to our family than any of the previous 24 years. I started reflecting on what marriage has taught me during this time and how that applies to our current business environment.
To provide some context, we have 14-year old twins that were in junior high and had very active schedules with school, sports and other activities. To layer on that, my husband semi-retired after working through a company merger. One week later, his mom unexpectedly passed away. His dad had Alzheimer’s, so we became responsible for his care until he passed away less than three months later. We then decided to totally renovate my in-law’s house, sell ours, and move there. Right after that, I left a job I loved to pursue starting a new company and ended up launching it right at the beginning of this global pandemic. It’s an understatement to say that we’ve had to adjust our lives and rethink the ways that we approach and do almost everything.
During this time, I’ve noticed these parallels between marriage and the business world:
· Getting back to basics and core values – The changes in our family, and now COVID-19, has uprooted our lives, but has also given us the opportunity to focus on what is most important to us. As our businesses and communities are similarly impacted, focusing on what’s truly essential and letting go of the rest helps keep us from getting sidetracked.
· Communication becomes even more critical - As we’ve modified our roles and responsibilities at home over the last year, expectations change and it becomes even more crucial that we stay aligned. The same goes for stakeholders in business – employees, patients, and customers must receive frequent, consistent, and clear communication when the world is changing rapidly in order for them to feel connected.
· Difficult financial decisions must be made – Our financial situation has changed dramatically. We’ve had to prioritize the basics, cut out some extras, while at the same time continuing to invest in our future. Business is no different. As 2020 financial projections are now obsolete for many companies, leaders must focus on keeping the business afloat, while still investing in the things that will strategically secure them for the future.
· Status quo is no longer an option – A healthy marriage occurs when both people grow and adapt to the changing environment. Our lives have evolved tremendously over the past 25 years and we have to continue to pivot. Companies go out of business if they do not adjust to the market changes and stay ahead of their competition. Innovation and the willingness to try new things are a must.
· Choose the right partner – This may be the most important of all. Choosing the right marriage partner to do life with is key. The same applies to business. Partnering with people and companies that share your core values and understand your mission makes all the difference in how strategies are executed.
At achi, we value partnerships and understanding our client’s mission and strategy. The world has shifted and we cannot afford to go back to the status quo. COVID-19 has illuminated shortcomings in many areas and highlighted social and health disparities across our communities, and the businesses that can adapt quickly and engage stakeholders well will thrive. Let us help you invest in programs that will position you for the future.
About achi
achi is a holistic care management company that lowers overall expenses by actively engaging people and connecting them to organizations to address the social determinants of health. Through innovative partnerships, cross-sector collaboration, and creative solutions, we equip organizations across multiple industries to educate the people they serve and connect them with resources to improve their lives from the ground up. By partnering with health systems, educational institutions and corporations, achi empowers lasting transformation in individual lives—resulting in an overall healthier population and data to transform our healthcare payment models. To learn more about achi and its mission, visit www.achi.solutions.