Endurance

In browsing the Web, I found this great definition for “Endurance.”

Endurance: the power to withstand hardship or stress (i.e., “the marathon tests a runner’s endurance”).

What an amazing word for the times in which we are living! We are living daily tests everywhere: at home, at work, with family, with friends that might be going through difficult times, with our partners…

Endurance is at test, that’s for sure. But I am also sure that more than ever, women in Latin America have a unique opportunity to prove to themselves and the world what they are made of. For many women – especially businesswomen, entrepreneurs and professionals – this might be the toughest time of their lives. Especially for the thousands who have already lost their jobs and the thousands more who have grown businesses during the last decade that now see their endeavors in jeopardy.

Even though we hear in the media a new and chaotic story every day, I have great stories from friends and clients who have doubled and tripled their business efforts and are succeeding in these turbulent moments.

Better prices, same great quality:

My friend, the CEO of one of the most important handbag manufacturers in Argentina, is presenting a new collection. But before starting a new production, she is asking her clients to tell her the appropriate budget for each new model. She then spends weeks finding the best materials and leathers available in the market (local and internationally) to guarantee the best handbags at better costs.

From service provider to business consultants:

My partner, the CEO of an IT solutions company with clients in the U.S. and Latin America, has become an IT consultant for 70 percent of his clients in the last 12 months. Small – and medium-sized companies cannot hire business consultants for every business division. So, as my friend was already serving them with hosting and e-mail solutions, she has become their first option when discussing a new IT-related project.

One thing’s for sure, the time has come to devote much more time to each client. Maybe this will not result in more income. But it will, for sure, guarantee that you keep your existing clients as: “the crisis tests our client portfolio’s endurance…”

Which is your “endurance” test? What are you doing to overcome it?

By Lara Bersano