As we approach month twenty of the global pandemic, we have all heard the same witticisms about the totally unprecedented times we’re experiencing. At first the wisdom was that “we’re all in the same boat.”
It didn’t take long however for us to realize that we all had different boats. Some people experienced the deadly pandemic personally with deep personal losses. Some were highly politically charged. Some confused by the massive differences of information being showered on us. Soon, the statement understood that we weren’t all in the same boat, but we were all in the same storm.
The storm of COVID-19 tore through the country responsible for three quarters of a million American deaths, five million worldwide deaths, and massive changes to how we work, live, communicate and relate. The storm accelerated change. It changed habits, attitudes and for some beliefs.
Like a Steven King horror story monster, the storm seemed to abate and then came roaring back with a new variant. Just as we breathed easier again and were all anxious, ready and excited about the recovering economy and a return to normalcy, we experienced a concept we only rarely thought about — Supply Chain.
It broke. Between hundreds of thousands of deaths, hundreds of thousands leaving the workforce and not returning, and folks deciding they liked their new normal of working from home and gig work, plus years of limited immigration — there was no one load and unload ships, or drive goods to market. Shipping broke. Delivery broke. The cost of containers multiplied by factors of ten or more.
The pandemic may finally recede and likely COVID will become an annual epidemic like the flu or common cold. Hopefully less deadly and shorter term. The supply chain and likely inflation that will accompany it will not be going away as quickly.
We’re in for a continued wild ride. Watch for regular storm warnings as new storms come and new storms go.
What you have to weather these storms is your values, your resolve, your endurance. Exercise your best self and your faith — in yourself, in your friends, in your higher powers. Work on your empathy. Your business partners - suppliers, clients, distributors - all of us are facing our daily storms.
Be the calm. Help others face their storms and you’ll be amazed at how you discover your peace. November is a great month to focus on gratitude and to express it. Let gratitude be the storm shutters to protect you through this season. Remember the ancient and perpetual wisdom — “This Too Shall Pass.”
Be grateful for all of the good that still surrounds you. Friends, family, faith, health. Loyal customers. True business partners. Your values and purpose. Be thankful for the powers that will bring you through this storm and the next one.
Paul Kiewiet MAS+ is an industry speaker, writer, consultant and coach. He serves as the executive director of MiPPA. Kiewiet was inducted into the PPAI Hall of Fame and the MiPPA Hall of Fame. He served as Chairman of PPAI in 2007. A former distributor, he founded Promotion Concepts, Inc in 1982 and worked with some of America’s most valuable brands including Coca-Cola, Kelloggs, and Whirlpool.