It's no secret, the pandemic has transformed life as we know it. Not only have our personal lives been drastically altered, but the way in which we do business has been extremely altered, as well. Except in very few sectors, most businesses have lost clients and revenue, and many have had to close their doors for weeks or even months.
No matter how well your business might’ve been doing before the pandemic began to spread, you’re undoubtedly in a place of uncertainty now, trying to decide how to recover from the events that have unfolded over the past few months. Luckily, there are many things a business owner can do to get back on the right track.
Be Considerate of Your Community
Although obviously you’re eager to boost your profits, you know this shouldn’t happen at the cost of the health of your customers, employees, and community at large. You must find the best ways to respond to your community’s concerns while also selling your products.
For instance, given that many people are concerned about their income, providing customers with discounts can be a great way to give back. Or, since many people are concerned about the lack of the availability of certain products, you can start carrying certain PPE products and include them as a gift with purchase or as add-on items. This will allow people the opportunity to patronize your business while also stocking up on the items they need the most.
It’s also important to consider the issues your employees are facing, as they’re the lifeblood of your business. If they’re working from home, help them make that work as viable as possible by providing any hardware, software, apps, and other technology that facilitates their communication and productivity. Additionally, consider offering them any helpful perks you can, from home warranties to virtual mental health services; every little bit can help workers continue to work from home more happily and productively.
Invest in Cleaning Services and PPE
One of the top things that every business needs to do is invest in services and products that help to keep their employees healthy and safe. In addition to hiring a cleaning team or service to regularly clean and sanitize your business, you must also invest in personal protective equipment (PPE) to make sure that your employees are being protected from the spread of the virus.
Things such as masks, gloves, disinfectant spray and/or wipes, and other hygiene-boosting items are the best purchases you can make to ensure that your staff and customers stay as safe as possible. In particular, it’s important to stock plenty of soap and hand sanitizer to make available to everyone who enters your building so they can clean their hands as needed. (That simple step can reduce absenteeism at work by up to 40%.)
Raise Your Credit
Another truth the shutdown has revealed is how quickly unexpected expenses arise in the face of a crisis. If we fail to save and plan for these expenses, we can end up in extreme financial turmoil. Luckily, one method of securing for ourselves and our businesses the needed financial support is by fixing and boosting our credit. Check your credit report and address any errors or outstanding issues. Doing so will make it easier for you to access loans, credit cards, or other temporary financial solutions that are often necessary in the face of financial difficulties.
Explore New Sales Channels
As the old saying goes, with tragedy comes opportunity. Although the shutdown and disruption of income have created devastating circumstances for business owners across the globe, it also has exposed areas that many businesses need to work on.
In particular, many people were relying on dated methods of doing business. But this shutdown has reminded us why multiple streams of income are vital to long-term success. By broadening and diversifying marketing and sales channels, not only will your business be able to more quickly recover but also potentially become stronger and more successful than ever.
Restructure and Reorganize
New social distancing restrictions have required most businesses to engage in some level of restructuring, whether spatial, temporal, or structural. Given that people are now expected to stay at least 6 feet away from each other, many businesses have had to find the best ways to comply with regulations on the fly. This often means that businesses have to find better ways to use the space they have, while also purchasing new products that are more conducive to a social distancing environment.
Unfortunately, this also often results in an abundance of trash and debris accumulating in a short period of time. If you’re trying to create a better environment for your employees and customers practically overnight, you may benefit from renting a dumpster to let you quickly get rid of debris, renovate or reorganize your space, and continue with business as usual.
Overall, although rebuilding your business in the aftermath of a disaster can feel intimidating, there is no need to panic. Following these guidelines can put you well on your way toward creating a business that eventually will be bigger and better than ever.
Guest post courtesy of Jessica Larson, SolopreneurJournal.com