In light of the active threat of the COVID-19 pandemic transitioning to the level of community spread in Trinidad and Tobago, Entrepreneurs are again faced with the strong possibility of remodeling, enhancing and transforming their key business strategy under the New Normal. For survival, growth and sustainability of our MSMEs, the need to rework and diversify our approach must be geared towards our potential consumers and actual customers.

Now that we are into the second wave of the Novel Coronavirus, our focus should be geared towards our preparedness. This time around, as Entrepreneurs will we be reactive and act after the fact and reality, or be proactive and have contingencies in place in the event of any unfavourable circumstances, or just because? At present, the wellness and safety of our lives and those around us are paramount and non-negotiable.  

As the first wave of the COVID-19 virus has subsided, with the lift on restrictions and quarantine over in Trinidad and Tobago, the twin island returns to some level of normalcy. Under ‘The New Normal’, the business and entrepreneurial sectors are now faced with observing, learning, adapting, embarking on changes, modifying business processes and upgrading operating procedures.

What motivates you as an entrepreneur or a business person?

What makes you want to get up everyday and be determined to succeed in your business or personal life?

What makes you strive to be or become your best self?

Nepali Hip-hop Artist Saimon Karki aka (199nah) from Kathmandu, Nepal has come up with a song about coronavirus.

199nah, on 14th May, performed a lockdown-themed rap and urged everyone to stay home and practice social distancing. 199nah is using his time in lockdown to write music with an important message.

No matter how educated or talented you are, your ATTITUDE will determine how far you would go in life. Be careful how you treat people you meet; you never can tell who would connect you.

The phrase, “Writer’s block”, tends to have a negative connotation because it essentially means that a writer feels uninspired and therefore has no zeal to write.  What is writer’s block? It occurs unexpectedly, where the writer simply feels unmotivated and falls into a writing slump and their writing does not flow naturally. Sometimes, these slumps last for days and sometimes they string along for months. At the core, the writer simply feels tapped out of ideas and when this happens, they momentarily embrace this feeling of uninspiredness. (Of course, it is much more beneficial to cure writer’s block sooner than later, if writing is one’s passion.)

On an international scale, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of how we do business, maintain relationships, extend networks and foster international trade. One thing for certain is this virus has taught us that we need to acclimatize to our environment in order to survive and with this, we also need to be equipped to make effective and productive decisions in a timely manner. As such, it is pragmatic that we develop a new mindset geared towards this transition into ‘The New Normal’.

Worldwide, the Entrepreneurship industry continues to monitor the business climate, trends and subsequent changes arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. As the opportunity to work from home, remotely and even reduced hours presents itself, the issue of organisation and time management as it relates to our lucrativeness, productivity, performance and maintaining a positive mindset become major focal points.