t’s finally the end of a challenging, unforgettable year that most of us probably can’t wait to get over with. While most of the year consisted of more downs than ups, it was also a year of growth and self-discovery.
Many of us took up new hobbies, developed new skills, and learned about the value of life. We also learned the importance of cherishing the loved ones around us.
The same also goes for many of us at TYT. We interviewed all our staffs and came up with the top 5 lessons we’ve all learnt throughout the year 2020. Here are some of their top answers — the ups, the downs, and everything in between.
Lesson #1 We learned to have effective meetings on Zoom
First and foremost, though, we learned how to download, install, and run Zoom on our laptops and smartphones. Even that was quite a learning curve for us because we were so used to in-person meetings and manual work.
Then came the need for quick, efficient meetings because there was so much to do in such little time. We’ve always had daily morning huddles at the office, so this was no different to our daily routines anyway. Besides, the extra bit of morning enthusiasm from our Director, June, was always welcome.
Lesson #2 We learned how to use social media platforms for marketing
You might not believe it, but prior to everything that happened in March, quite a number of us didn’t even own a Facebook account. It wasn’t until the MCO lockdown and the great online migration happened that everyone finally opened up an account on the social media platform.
From there on, some of us who were slightly more technology-savvy began coaching the others about the many ways to leverage Facebook as a marketing platform to write and share posts, and that’s when the ‘Golden Era’ of TYT began!
With help from everyone sharing about TYT’s products on their accounts, orders were constantly streaming in. As TYT is a health brand and an essential business, we were extremely busy. Everyone at the factory was constantly busy receiving and sending out orders, ensuring that all our customers, old and new, had enough of their favourite products stocked at home.
Lesson #3 We learned about each others’ jobscopes, which improved our teamwork
During the MCO and CMCO period, only a certain number of staffs could go to work. Constant communication became extremely important to make sure everything went on smoothly. Online communication made it a lot easier to communicate problems and concerns with one another, especially during our daily morning huddles on Zoom.
By learning about the bottlenecks or difficulties that other staffs were facing at work, it allowed us to empathise with them and understand their situation more. Besides, it was great fun brainstorming ideas and overcoming the challenges together. The sense of achievement we felt when everyone came together to help was also like nothing we’ve ever felt before.
Photo by Antonio Janeski on Unsplash
Lesson #4 We learned how to be a great leader
One great thing about the past year is that there were plenty of opportunities for honing and developing new skills, through online lessons, courses, and workshops. One of the courses we attended taught us about the qualities of great leadership, both at the workplace and at home.
Of course, with great powers comes great responsibilities. We could immediately apply the principles learned as soon as we get back to work; by being a good team player and team leader, listening to concerns, addressing issues, learning all about one another’s jobs and how to delegate work… Thanks to that workshop, in particular, our productivity has improved by leaps and bounds. We’ve even come up with new ideas for future products and services simply by putting our heads together and thinking as a team.
Lesson #5 We learned to be each other’s mental support
It’s not always sunshine and rainbows at work even if we try to keep a positive mindset as much as possible, especially with everything going on in the world as it is. We’ve learned that it’s okay to ask for help if we feel overwhelmed and that it’s fine to take a mental break away from it all for some time to recuperate.
One thing we realised quickly within the first few weeks of the MCO was that we are all social creatures who need to interact with one another every now and then to stay sane. It gets depressing really quickly if we’re constantly staying in the same place with the same people doing the same thing over and over without purpose.
We wanted to prevent that from happening. We’ve learned to reach out to one another, check on how each other is doing, and made sure nobody felt left out or lonely.
Lesson #6 We learned to be grateful
Most of all, we learned to be thankful for a wonderful year of personal and company growth, for everyone putting in their all to keep the company afloat, for learning to be kind and considerate to everyone despite trying times, for customers new and old who helped spread the word and kept us busy for months, and for the opportunity and privilege to share our success story with the rest of the world.
We’ve reached our highest sales targets, reached out to multiple potential clients and confinement centres in Malaysia, and also kept every single one of our staff members, even adding a few more during the lockdown! Of course, most importantly, we’re extremely grateful that our friends and family are safe, strong, and healthy.
Photo by pvproductions on freepik
It’s been a rollercoaster of a year, and we’re excited to see what the new year brings. To all our dear friends, family, clients, and customers: thank you for supporting and continuing to believe in us despite the circumstances. Remember to stay home, wash your hands, and abide by SOPs wherever you go.
Let’s all leave COVID-19 behind in 2020 and start afresh with a brand-new beginning in 2021.