Steps Small Business Need to Fight COVID-19

It is fair to say that the current state of affairs is ridden with anxiety, especially for business owners. It seems like CEOs have to go on a treasure hunt to find new customers, pay the rent, and even just secure small business loans! It’s important to stop the spread of the virus and know
how to handle the hits when it comes to retaining customers and staff. Your small company shouldn’t be a vector for disease, nor should your business suffer. Let’s find out more about common challenges and how to overcome them.

Safeguard your buildings

This is the number one rule if you want to minimize your location as a vector for transmission.You will want your customers and staff to be safe, not sick. By doing a bit of safeguarding, both your customers and staff will be reassured during this uncertain time. It is easy to take precautions on those entering your buildings, including hand sanitizer at the entrance,
eliminating human contact. Let members of staff work remotely and perhaps even check people’s temperatures before they enter the door.

Education is key

Your customers need to know what you are doing to keep them from contracting the virus. The better you can inform them, the more that they will be reassured. Your customers will also feel as though you care for them, and it will be easier to retain business when customers have less
anxiety.

In terms of your staff, education should come in the form of staying healthy and safe at work and working remotely. Your leadership around the office doesn’t and just because of a harrowing pandemic! Make sure that your staff knows what they need to do.

Get teams together for a brainstorm

During this time, it is an opportunity to use all the small business tools you can, but also never forget the power of communication and collaboration. Everyone employed at your company will be able to get through this if you can all brainstorm ideas together. Schedule some remote meetings today.

Planning for different scenarios

One of the most important things that you can do is think through all of the possibilities regarding your business. What about if many people come to your building? How will your workers cope when schools close? If a hit has been taken to the company, can your staff share some of the burdens? These are just a few of many questions to ask yourself. Stay alert, plan, and
ultimately be safe.

Can suppliers and vendors help you?

If profits are falling, it is worth negotiating with other companies with whom you are in a relationship with. Are you able to get some lower prices? Perhaps you can even negotiate deferred payments for products? Will companies be prepared to offer you small business insurance at a lower rate? People will be willing to listen and remember, if you don’t ask then you don’t get.

Opportunities are to be had

It is easy to get depressed and negative, but if you read practically any small business guide, the authors will tell you that it’s more important to think positively. Perhaps you can look for additional promotional opportunities, or if there is a struggling competitor, you could arrange to purchase them. Often during this time, many people are laid off – can use this to your advantage to snap up some new talent? Even during the harsh 2008 financial crisis, many small business report findings showed how some companies were able to make millions!

Every small business needs to take steps

We hope that this information has been insightful towards getting your small business running during this difficult time. It may be very difficult, but for certain – you are not alone in the struggle. After the pandemic fades away, you will survive and operate at a profit if you take our advice on board. We hope you stay safe and think positively to achieve solutions.

Do you have any advice for small business owners? Tell us your best tips in the comments section below.

Author:

Thomas Quarry is a data scientist, who lives and breathes digital marketing. He is an expert in online marketing, web development, and advertising. He is the one to go to if you want to have a marketing plan for small businesses. When he isn’t working, Thomas loves to engage in winter
sports such as skiing and bobsled.