Keeping the Pace During Ramadan
With the onset of the Holy Month of Ramadan comes shorter working hours, more time dedicated to prayer and contemplation, and – with the changes to one’s sleep schedule – more naps. It’s understandable, then, for productivity to slow down or for your business to fall into a bit of a slump.
However, understandable doesn’t mean unavoidable. With a little forward thinking and finesse, you can make great strides during Ramadan, naps and all.
One of the main reasons work feels sluggish and quiet during the day is the shift in peak times of activity. Unless they’re at work, most people stay indoors – and inactive – until the late evening when Iftar preparations kick off. Nights are when the real bustle begins, both online and offline.
So figure out what times your customers are most active and adjust accordingly, whether that means when you upload social media content, provide your service, or promote your product. That way you don’t lose your reach, continue to engage with your audience, and work more efficiently because you’re working when it matters most.
And while efficiency is always key, with shorter working hours it’s even more important to make the best of what little time you have. Ramadan provides the opportunity to build and/or improve the habit of identifying and taking care of only the most important things on your to-do list.
“Hyper-prioritize” your tasks, focusing on what will have the biggest impact on your day, week, or long-term goals. That means spending less time responding to emails and more time finding and eliminating bugs in your app, updating your portfolio, or meeting with clients.
Speaking of clients, allow me to state the obvious: a lot of them will be fasting during the day, as will some of you, and everyone takes to it differently. Some people may be surly and curt, others as courteous as ever.
Neither group deserve anything less than the best possible customer service.
You might find that fasting tests your ability to treat customers with patience, respect, and good will, regardless of how they may respond. Consider it an opportunity to improve your skills and learn how to resolve complaints with a smile even on your grumpiest day.
People remember when they’ve been treated well, especially when they themselves aren’t feeling 100 percent, and good customer service always boosts your reputation.
So, though Ramadan is mainly a time of individual introspection, spirituality, and self-improvement, it can also be the perfect time to re-evaluate your business and turn things up a notch, proving to yourself and your customers that you always offer the best no matter the time of year.
Make the most of it, in every way you can.
Ramadan Kareem!
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