5 TIPS FOR RUNNING A BUSINESS IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS

2020 has proven to be an uncertain time for businesses of all sorts. And in these unprecedented times, the ability to adapt to changing circumstances is important. Here are some strategies you can implement so that your bottom line doesn’t get turned upside-down even if the rest of the world does.

-  Develop a Plan and Stick to It

If your company does not already have a Business Continuity Plan, it is advisable to have one drafted. If you and your employees are well informed of how the status quo will be maintained in the event of a crisis such as a pandemic, the easier any necessary adjustments will be on your clients. The BCP should account for the ability of your workforce to work from home, if applicable.

-  Don’t be Afraid to Go Virtual

Along the same lines as developing a Business Continuity Plan, If your selling point is able, shift your brand onto the internet. An online experience not only affords you continued connectivity with your existing clientele, but it also has the potential to bring in new people with the right SEO keywords.

-  Keep Up with the Supply Chain

The possibility of a slowed or stalled supply chain during a pandemic situation can be very real. Be familiar with where your products (and the materials they’re made of) come from, and if possible, have a contingency plan in case of shutdowns, or material or product unavailability.

-  Keep Up with the News

Be aware of the conditions inside your state and city of operation. This may dictate what other measures you may need to put in place, such as the ones listed above.

-  Prioritize Your Relationship to Your Customers

This may seem obvious, but your clients – just like everyone else – could benefit from some reassurance. Use any online presence that you have (email, social media, etc.) to communicate business updates to your customers. Let them know exactly how it is that you’ll be operating within the pandemic situation, and what they can expect if their experience will change (e.g. longer telephone hold times, decreased employee capacity, reduced product availability, etc.)

Similarly, keep the lines of communication open for your clients to be able to get a hold of you. Set up a web chat line, a dedicated email inbox, or special phone number for your clients to leave messages with questions, concerns or comments. In your marketing efforts, be gracious and empathetic to the situation and how your clients are affected by it. It’s also helpful to present an optimistic message, highlighting how your business will be functioning as the world begins to move out of the situation: At the highest quality possible, as was always the case.

Unquestionably, a pandemic like COVID-19 causes a certain amount of upheaval for every industry, but if your company is well prepared, adaptable, and communicative, you and your clients stand a much better chance of weathering the storm with minimal damage.

2020 has proven to be an uncertain time for businesses of all sorts. And in these unprecedented times, the ability to adapt to changing circumstances is important. Here are some strategies you can implement so that your bottom line doesn’t get turned upside-down even if the rest of the world does.

-  Develop a Plan and Stick to It

If your company does not already have a Business Continuity Plan, it is advisable to have one drafted. If you and your employees are well informed of how the status quo will be maintained in the event of a crisis such as a pandemic, the easier any necessary adjustments will be on your clients. The BCP should account for the ability of your workforce to work from home, if applicable.

-  Don’t be Afraid to Go Virtual

Along the same lines as developing a Business Continuity Plan, If your selling point is able, shift your brand onto the internet. An online experience not only affords you continued connectivity with your existing clientele, but it also has the potential to bring in new people with the right SEO keywords.

-  Keep Up with the Supply Chain

The possibility of a slowed or stalled supply chain during a pandemic situation can be very real. Be familiar with where your products (and the materials they’re made of) come from, and if possible, have a contingency plan in case of shutdowns, or material or product unavailability.

-  Keep Up with the News

Be aware of the conditions inside your state and city of operation. This may dictate what other measures you may need to put in place, such as the ones listed above.

-  Prioritize Your Relationship to Your Customers

This may seem obvious, but your clients – just like everyone else – could benefit from some reassurance. Use any online presence that you have (email, social media, etc.) to communicate business updates to your customers. Let them know exactly how it is that you’ll be operating within the pandemic situation, and what they can expect if their experience will change (e.g. longer telephone hold times, decreased employee capacity, reduced product availability, etc.)

Similarly, keep the lines of communication open for your clients to be able to get a hold of you. Set up a web chat line, a dedicated email inbox, or special phone number for your clients to leave messages with questions, concerns or comments. In your marketing efforts, be gracious and empathetic to the situation and how your clients are affected by it. It’s also helpful to present an optimistic message, highlighting how your business will be functioning as the world begins to move out of the situation: At the highest quality possible, as was always the case.

Unquestionably, a pandemic like COVID-19 causes a certain amount of upheaval for every industry, but if your company is well prepared, adaptable, and communicative, you and your clients stand a much better chance of weathering the storm with minimal damage.