It’s hard to believe the world-changing COVID-19 pandemic took place over five years ago. It seems more recent to me, partially because the events of the pandemic shaped the way the modern world works to this day, but also because I often come across references to it from installers featured in this magazine.  

Sometimes, it’s brought up as a hurdle causing setbacks for a company, but usually, it’s referenced as a milestone of company growth as is the case in this month’s profile feature. Jason Anderson of A&A Construction and Septic has a lot to say on the subject. He felt COVID not only changed the customer transaction process and led to significant company growth, but also changed the way they had to operate the business internally.

Anderson credits a large part of the company’s recent growth to the pandemic. “We were the busiest we had ever been during the pandemic,” he says. “People were home instead of at their offices or schools and overusing their septic systems.”

Taking advantage

But what the humble man doesn’t outright mention is that growth could not happen even with an increased customer base if he and his team did not embrace the change and do whatever they had to do to support the increased demand.

If Anderson let it, the challenges prompted by the pandemic would have left his company high and dry. But, he didn’t use the overwhelming increase in demand and busy schedule, or delays in acquiring equipment and supplies as an excuse to forget about their customers. Instead the company worked harder, found solutions and challenged themselves to serve their community to the best of their ability. 

I’ll let you read the fine details on what the company did and the outcome that came from it, but the overall results have been five years of prosperity and growth they can be proud of.

The pandemic and A&A’s choices is a large scale example of taking difficult circumstances head on to better a company. But no matter the scale of the challenge, they should be handled with the same mindset. 

Learning lessons

When inevitable setbacks find their way into your business, throwing in the towel and accepting defeat will only hurt business, your customers and your employees. 

Hardship provides opportunity for adaptability. Businesses forced to navigate unforeseen challenges quickly learn to re-evaluate strategies as difficult times often expose operational inefficiencies and weaknesses that might remain hidden during periods of smooth sailing. 

Cash flow crises, supply chain disruptions or sudden market shifts can highlight redundant processes, over-reliance on single suppliers or a lack of diversification. When traditional approaches fail, businesses are compelled to think outside the box, explore new technologies and develop new solutions. 

Navigating challenges can also significantly strengthen internal culture and leadership. Shared struggles often build camaraderie and a sense of collective purpose among employees. It’s also a time when effective leaders emerge from your staff and show capabilities you may not have noticed.

So when the going gets tough, the tough businesses get going.  

Thanks for reading this month’s issue!