You have likely heard the word pivoting bandied about since the coronavirus began. Businesses of all sizes being forced to pivot or change the way they do business, or in some cases change their business altogether, in order to survive this pandemic induced economic shutdown. We have seen numerous examples of companies adapting and evolving to meet the moment.1 Distilleries shifting from producing spirits to bottling hand sanitizer; commercial airlines running cargo instead of passengers; fitness companies moving their workouts online; retail stores offering curbside pickup and expanding their digital orders. Now, even Major League Baseball is pivoting to safely return fans to the stands.2
The professional baseball season is going from its normal marathon of 162 games from spring to the beginning of winter, to a sprint with regular season reduced to just 60 games. Teams will just play their regional rivals to cut down on travel. The National League will now have designated hitters batting for pitchers for the first time since it was adopted by the American League in 1973. Extra-inning games will start with a runner on 2nd base to reduce games going too long as a health and safety measure to prevent exhausted players jammed into a shorter season. Further pandemic rules include pitchers having to bring their own resin bags to the mound, and allowing them to carry a wet rag in their pocket to use instead of licking their fingers for a better grip.
There can be a silver lining to pivoting. In baseball, it’s always said in the beginning that every team can win the World Series, but with a shortened regular season if a team has a hot streak, they really do have a chance. A company may find that a new way they’re operating is working so well they want to continue the practice. Medical practitioners, for example, who have been conducting over 80% of their appointments virtually with patients not requiring a physical appointment, may continue to do so post-pandemic because they find it is more efficient.
Here in Southbury our business community has had no choice but to pivot. These days, back to business does not mean business as usual. Charged with the ongoing, strict health and safety requirements to keep employees and customers safe and comfortable, our businesses continue to do the hard work necessary to reopen and stay open. As residents, the best thing you can do to support your local economy is to shop local and return as a customer. But doing so may require you to pivot, by being patient as you enter and following their rules, which are there for your safety. Together, we will all pivot in some way and move Southbury forward.
If you are interested in discussing how to pivot your business call the Office of Economic Development at 203.262.0683 or e-mail EcoDevDirector@southbury-ct.gov.
References
- Morgan, Blake. “10 Examples of How COVID-19 Forced Business Transformation”. Forbes. May 1, 2020
- Goldman, Tom. “Major League Baseball Comes Back For Shorter Season After Coronavirus Shutdown”. NPR. June 24, 2020
Kevin Bielmeier
Economic Development Director
Town of Southbury
EcoDevDirector@southbury-ct.gov
(203) 262-0683
[This article first appeared in Southbury Neighbors magazine.]