Crisis in a construction company. What are the opportunities for your company?

This coronavirus is everywhere. You turn on the TV – virus, turn on the radio – virus, open the Internet – virus. It’s literally everywhere. Just a week ago, I was proud to be the main guest of the March issue of the top Polish magazine in the construction industry, and today we need to set ambitious plans with reality (which does not mean that our company intends to give them up).

And that’s why I want to approach our whole panic story from a completely different angle. I want you, my dear client, a friend from the construction industry, to look at the problem from two unusual sides for this catastrophic time:

• OPPORTUNITIES that each crisis brings
• MATTERS you have direct influence on

What opportunities do I see on the market?

1. The zloty is the cheapest in years. (EUR/PLN – exchange rate now PLN 4.61)

I don’t have to explain why it’s important, do I? Since January (PLN 4.21), the zloty has fallen by 10%. Windows from Poland are therefore automatically 10% cheaper. Most likely, this condition will not last forever…

2. Crisis? Factories in Poland are still working

Orders, production and delivery of finished products are carried out as before. As always, we are also in constant contact with our network of suppliers and everyone is working as before.

Nobody knows the future. However, one thing is certain – if production stops after it is restored – the waiting times will probably increase to several months. It is Better if your order is higher in the queue, right?

3. You are in a privileged position

Why? You have contacts with Poland! The largest window exporter in Europe! You have access to the cheapest windows, the cheapest doors, made of PVC, aluminium, wood or steel. Who is to survive the crisis if not companies that can offer lower prices, better deadlines and the highest product quality in times of crisis?

4. You have your ambassador – a broker in Poland with know-how, who can safely outsource the production

Yes, your contact with us, with debesto.com, gives you access to secure transactions. WE WORK 100% NORMALLY. Each of our consultants is available FOR YOU and is working as before. With one difference – we do work for you remotely, at the home office – thanks to the full computerization of the company, we can operate even more efficiently than in the office

Nothing changes for us - we've been serving customers 100% remotely for 6 years!

5. The employer’s market is coming

Companies will start firing employees. A whole range of specialists will appear on the market who will want to work for you. Maybe it’s time to renegotiate some contracts? At the same time, it is worth being prepared to give employment to valuable people.

6. The crisis will finally end and increases will come

Your role is to remain calm, save money wisely and survive thanks to rational decisions. How do we deal with the coronavirus crisis and epidemic at debesto.com? You can read about it below – in the second part of my post.

Crisis – what influence do you have?

There is no doubt that you have no influence over a whole bunch of topics. Will they close production? How long will you not be able to do business normally? Will the government help you with tax exemptions or subsidized loans?

First of all – we don’t know the answers to these questions. Secondly, our impact on these matters is close – equal to ZERO.

Based on my example, I will tell you what actions I have a direct influence on, I have already undertaken.

I recommend – think about whether you can use something from this list:

1. I cut all unnecessary costs.
   
2. I renegotiate wages with employees
   
3. I turn off all utilities in a closed office
   
4. We sell all unnecessary, collected and unused equipment or uncollected windows at auctions
   
5. I limit meetings to an absolute minimum.
   
6. I review all contracts, leases, loans to eliminate/renegotiate unnecessary or poor conditions.
   
7. I organize business matters – the content of contracts.
   
8. I invest time in marketing – data update on the website, corrections. Supplementing advertising and auction portals,
   
9. I limit unnecessary consumption to zero.
   
10. I devote my free time to education, catching up with technological backlogs.
    
11. I prepare employees that in case of downtime – they will have to take holidays.