You don’t need me to tell you that we’re living in unprecedented times. There’s no escape from it at the moment – it’s there every time you turn on the radio, pick up a paper or switch on your TV.
If you’re finding the situation a little daunting, imagine how your customers must be coping. Many of them will be feeling overwhelmed with the new working environment and financial pressures, whilst others may be contemplating how to get ready for the new world we’ll find ourselves in once the social distancing restrictions are finally lifted.
Whatever their situation, it’s never been more important to take this opportunity to engage with them and help them navigate their way through these exceptional circumstances. With this in mind, I’ve put together five tips that may help you and your customers through this difficult period.
Make sure you’re looking after yourself
This applies to you as a broker, as well as your customers. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, drink enough water and exercise regularly. Don’t forget you can take one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk or cycle. Always remember that you should minimise any time you spend outside of your house, only exercise alone or with members of your household and always keep a safe two-metre distance from others.
Mental health
There are lots of things we can all do to keep our mental health in tip-top condition, just as we can with our physical health during this period of social distancing.
The Every Mind Matters campaign, from Public Health England, encourages us to be more aware of our mental health and offers simple steps to how we can look after our mental wellbeing, including how to deal with staying and working from home in this period of isolation or if you have any anxieties about coronavirus. Click here for more information.
In addition, April marks Stress Awareness Month in the UK, a campaign to increase public awareness about both the causes and cures for stress. Stress is a significant factor in mental health problems, including anxiety and depression, but often isn’t taken as seriously as physical health concerns. To find out more about campaign, as well as techniques for dealing with stress, click here.
Embrace technology
Never has embracing technology being more important. Fortunately, there are loads of easy-to-use applications out there that mean you can still have face-to-face engagement with your clients, as well as with your work colleagues. Systems such as Skype, GoToTraining and Microsoft Teams… the list goes on. You’ll be amazed at how the latest face-to-face technology can make things seem so much more personal and help everyone to feel less isolated.
Get your databases match-fit
This is a great opportunity for you to update your databases, digitalise them if you haven’t done so already and set regular reminders of when to contact your clients. When you’re contacting customers, make sure you have all of their up-to-date details, find out if their circumstances have change and ask if you can you be of assistance. Are all their insurances up-to-date? Have they got any questions about payment holidays? This is something you could re-visit with them regularly, so you can action as and when they do require.
Landlord engagement
When it comes to your landlords, it might be a good idea to make sure they are aware of any legislative changes that are up-and-coming, so once the social distancing period is lifted they have a list of actions they need to implement to ensure their portfolios are in order. If you want further suggestions, why not book a virtual appointment with an experienced member of our Sales Team who will go through our ‘9 reasons to contact your landlords in 2020’ booklet with you. Click here to find your local sales person and book an appointment today.
