by Kabira Dewan

We are inevitably heading to the so called “new normal way of doing business” but I must admit I am still spinning with all the creativity and positive energy that I experienced during Lockdown.

The first week was about processing the shock and fear , that for the first time in the history of our businesses we had to close doors. The second week was a numbness of juggling domestic chores, feeding constantly hungry kids and the priority to stock the grocery cupboard while at the same time isolating to keep safe.

By the third week, the creativity hits me from all social media fronts:

Discovery of TikTok : the video sharing social networking platform perceived to be popular only with the youth. Who said cooking and chores had to be boring?

And yes #forty+andstillfun can also shuffle dance.

Whatever took your fancy for the day, there was an Instagram page with a Live video to satisfy said fancy: trying a new dish, trying a new hobby or skill or the best way to have your groceries delivered to your door.

And through watching of all the videos what struck me as profound was how resilient and agile so many businesses had evolved into:

The Art teacher that was doing free live online classes with her students and welcomed newcomers. I am quite sure that as soon as she can do face to face classes, she would have many more new students sign up.
The life coach that was offering free Skype counselling consultations for people suffering from depression and experienced loss due to Covid19.
The company that could pivot their product offering to the manufacture and supply of PPE.
Small and medium sized businesses that prioritized the importance of more than ever having an online presence in addition to an e-commerce capability.

Human beings are fundamentally social beings so the upskilling in all technology happened in a frenzy: Microsoft team meetings vs Zoom vs Skype vs Whatsapp video call made for interesting discussions. More than ever, access to a whole network of virtual support in the safety of your home was a welcomed experience. This in turn resulted in liberating our thinking: prioritizing what is important and essential to be content.

As we try to go about our “new normal”, I resolve to continue to tap into creativity , leverage the positive energy that has always been there all while maximising the tools that have not previously been used to its maximum capacity.

I like this version of a more evolved me!

Kabira Dewan is a proud wife, mother, and serial entrepreneur. She is a Franchisee of a Famous Brands 3 in 1 Combo Store : Steers , Debonairs, Fishaways in Lenasia South in South Africa. She is a retrenched ex-banker with 20 years experience in Private Banking and Business Development, and is now taking her passion for entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment into her own business journey. Kabira’s second business is a craft wholesale business : Bead Expressions. Bead Expressions creates employment for local women by employing them as crafters and teaching them a range of craft techniques for a Unique range of handmade gifting items.