It is no secret that the height of the pandemic had a hugely devastating impact on the performing arts industry, not only in the U.K. but on a global scale. And as an international brand that solely operates in the performing arts sector, Stagecoach Performing Arts franchisees around the world were met with the near-impossible job of keeping children entertained and invested in the arts while simultaneously trying to maintain an income.
But while the arts were indeed met with significant challenges, it is not the only sector that became defined by those who have devoted their lives to keeping their industries from collapsing altogether.
As we move forward from a time that has truly tested the resolve of brands in every industry around the world, now is the perfect time to reflect on how these businesses have put their best foot forward and given their most powerful performances to date. Here, I look at four key elements of how international businesses successfully navigated the pandemic
Continued innovation
Franchisors were presented with so many opportunities for innovation that not only helped them at the height of the pandemic but will help them move their brand forward. As well as being introduced to mediums such as Zoom, internal operations were tested and forced to adapt to unpredictable situations.
This worked hand in hand with the franchise model. As an industry that is constantly finding streams to innovate this practice was amplified and gave every member of brands’ global communities opportunities to contribute.
This resonated with Stagecoach in particular, as the contingencies established in the U.K. meant that franchisees around the world could quickly pick up on plans and new policies to keep children occupied and enriched with performing arts. Valerie Weyland, of Stagecoach Isleworth, was able to reap the benefits of being a part of the close international network.
“The pandemic has definitely advanced the franchise. Not only within the context of us being a part of an international community, but it has enabled us to find out so much more about the arts and how it exists in the 21st century. We can utilize so many more mediums now.
“While we respond to our own demographics, we all holistically want the same. We all share the same mission and have the same amount of respect for the brand, so sharing ideas, supporting each other, and learning together is an ongoing part of being in the network.”
Clients and customers were kept connected
One of the most important challenges for brands, large and small, was keeping their customer base connected and engaged. From our perspective, this wasn’t only for entertainment purposes as the lockdowns and restrictions prevented us from doing what we love, but to show the people within our network that we hadn’t forgotten those who continued to play vitally important roles in our successes.
Through increased engagement, exploring new mediums and not shying away from the issues that had affected us all, brands were able to connect with their customers on a more human level, and in some instances, hit the reset button.
We all know how difficult the pandemic has been, but the chance to evaluate the real cause of our successes has enabled franchises all over the world to fall back in love with their missions, and ultimately what we deliver to our clients.
This has, of course, set us up to move out of the pandemic in a far more positive situation than the way we entered it.
The use of what was at a business’ disposal
It may sound like an obvious statement, but so many businesses fell short of what they already had in their arsenal to help them work through the pandemic as a community. Franchises such as Stagecoach Performing Arts has experts from so many industries representing the business at various levels.
By banding together and truly making the most out of what franchising implies, global networks of visionaries, creatives and industry experts were able to contribute to the efforts that ultimately pulled us out of dangerous ground.
This teaches us that, even at the best of times, we must remember what franchising enables us to do. The old phrase “do business for yourself, not by yourself” has never rung so true, and we have been shown how valuable operating in the franchise industry is.
Here, Kristi Wenaus of Stagecoach Halifax in Canada highlights the importance of a globalized brand.
“Seeing Stagecoach evolve throughout the pandemic has been incredible. I thought I knew the value of buying a business as a franchise. There’s an understanding of the reputation and security that you learn when you’re doing the research and going through the initial process. But the pandemic has shown the real value of it. I’ve had an incredible support system with a thousand schools behind me and an amazing head office.
“Stagecoach has been so ahead of the game that we’ve almost had a COVID care package at our disposal. Of course, in Canada we’ve been slightly behind in terms of global developments in the pandemic, but the speed that they laid the support foundations at the beginning of the pandemic and the response they have to every new development is incredible. They’ve used COVID to move forward and evolve.”
Learning together
It is no surprise that this is included possibly as the most prominent element of how brands have successfully navigated the pandemic. As business people, entrepreneurs, creatives and innovators, we operate in our industries to learn and grow together, and this has been the best learning opportunity to share as a global community in generations.
Many franchise brands have been somewhat pushed into the 21st century as a result of the pandemic. When faced with a fight or flight situation, brands that had, arguably, fallen behind in their business operations had to streamline and catch up in order to survive. In doing so, they have been shown alternative and easily accessible revenue streams that may never have been considered.
The pandemic has shown us that, even in the face of adversity, there is always ample opportunity to take away positives and turn difficult situations into success stories. As a performing arts franchise, we have been able to see, appreciate and learn from the brands that operate in a diverse range of industries, which has enabled us to grow and learn more about the society in which we operate today.
The author
Andy Knights is the chief operating officer of global children’s performing arts franchise, Stagecoach Performing Arts – a role he’s held since 2014. He has over 19 years’ experience working in the franchising industry and oversees all aspects of business operations for the Stagecoach brand, including marketing, franchise recruitment, and business development
