How to engage Covid-19 in business by making plans to emerge in front of the opposition even if you have to close the doors.
A pandemic and your business, let's make some plans for success
First of all, you can not fight a storm, in the middle of the night, winds whining, trees falling and all hell breaking loose. You lay in bed praying for daylight.
Daytime comes, the sun shines and the nightmares are gone. Life is good again.
Covid-19 in business, a description of the disease often known as the Coronavirus.
This is a storm like no other. However, the world is standing up to fight it the best way they know-how.
Some countries will be better than others but the fight is universal.
Locked down but not locked up
Some people will be more fortunate than others, a few will capitalise on the weak however most will suffer in many different ways.
We are told by our leaders to do the right thing and the night will pass. They then change the rules on a daily basis, jumping from crisis to crisis and plugging holes in the issue. We are left insecure and in doubt.
Covid_19 in business is a time to be recognized
The one thing that stands out in covid-19 management
Communications must be consistent and positive. I am in Australia and the reports come from both our State and Federal leaders. They have however formed a common forum but unfortunately, then break rank and make their own rules.
Furthermore, we are getting daily reports so none of us should be too uncertain about what to do.
This is a time for good and strong leadership and one in which we have some confidence.
In the US, In Britain, Japan, Korea or New Zealand decisions are being made and results will prove the best methods used.
I am not trying to prove who is right. No one is right all the time but on mass, they are taking control.
What has Government control got to do with your business?
The answer to the control of your business lies in communications. like the government keeping populations informed on a daily basis, you need to do the same.
By regular contact, your customers will return when the storm passes.
Many of you have had to close your doors and join the ranks of home workers.
Some struggled to remain open due to dwindling traffic. Others failed to get stock replacements to meet demand.
Wherever you are in the cycle, keep your customers informed on a regular basis.
Information that will help them, ease their minds or entertain them with stories.
Be consistent and retain your branding for high recognition.
First of all, this is not a hard sell time
Even if you are lucky enough to remain buoyant, don't push the sell button. It is time to help and support and not capitalise on misfortunes.
Covid-19 for business is the time to be a saviour.
I regularly see companies exploiting the community with price gouging and stock withholding for their own purpose. I will remember them.
What communications are best
We can't do TV and radio broadcasts or join the news crews to be in the mass media.
Email is probably the easiest and least costly approach to regular communications.
It may be a simple two-line message or a newsletter-style article.
Email can be done from anywhere and the recipients have the choice to delete or read. However, make it interesting and easy to read.
You can have a survey or a quiz to liven things up or start a trend on things to do at home.
A relative of mine started the best dog blog to get reactions from readers. (A reminder to self, post a photo of my cat). This created a bit of fun and built relationships with customers
Using other media for the soft market
One of my customers is a wholesale supplier to a trade group. He sends a regular SMS with messages to say he is open and available for support. His customer base remained fully informed and loyal throughout the journey.
Another sends a regular mail of products that can be used in a crisis. Moving to the home office has its own problems however they can be managed.
Online faxing, message services and conference phones are examples.
Consistent communication is the key
We need to be informed to be happy. Not all decisions may be popular or even appreciated but at least we know.
A great example is the school debate. Does the government close schools altogether or leave them open?
Here, down under the federal decision was to stay open, however, many states said, “make your own choice based on these rules.” Stay home or go to school.
The choices were clear because of good communication even though the powers disagreed.
Social media for communicating in a crisis
This is a great opportunity to increase your following on all media if you can be a bit creative.
Don't try and sell, it will look after itself. Keep it casual and crafty to entertain.
Online sales during a crisis
Setting up for online sales may take a lot of time and a bit of expenditure but can return a hansom dividend if done properly.
If you have had to close the doors, perhaps it would be great to invest in a future return.
Spend your time creating a future that can be exciting as well as rewarding.
Online sales are growing worldwide and more so in these times of cautionary contact.
A friend has marked everything for free delivery during this time of isolation, but with nowhere to go sales are slipping. However, the storm has an ending.
The ever-great Amazon has suspended deliveries except for essentials. this was because of both high traffic figures and being seen as a world helper.
Therefore other sellers have increased their sales with lower competition and pricing.
Our Grog shops have been placed on restrictions to contain the traffic flow. This includes two bottles of wine a day. I won't debate this as one of the wrong ideas however online sellers are sending out dozen packs without restrictions. Their sales have skyrocketed in a tight market.
Be specific in your content
It is important not to waffle a subject and to leave readers confused with a double-edged message.
A good example is the social distancing message where many use their own interpretation of what is appropriate.
It means everyone outside your bubble except when you go to the shops or get a haircut (still allowed as I write). I went to the physio today and touch was involved and to a doctor for a consultation and he was a lot closer than a meter.
The exception rules are very long indeed.
It is surprising how well businesses have adapted to the rules and made distancing a policy. Most importantly people are observing the rules without question. Why? It is all in communications
Setting up an email list for the first time
As discussed previously, I have used Constant Contact as my email generator and you can try them for free. It is worth the effort to keep your customers in the loop.
You will come up with many ideas of things to send your readers, maybe a list of things to do at home, how to make toilet paper etc.
In fact, as I write this my wife is making a facemask for our Son in law who is visiting a dodgy place and wants some protection. He reckons the doctors wear them, so why not him? I will use the instructions in my contacts this week.
Covid-19 for business is a problem we all share
Increase your training in quiet times
No matter what the reasons your idle time can be changed to productive issues and bring your skills up to date on a variety of subject. Online marketing and Website building is all available for free at Wealthy Affiliate. the home of internet marketing. learn the basics of all marketing and social media and set up your future plans.
Another great idea is making your own videos. The fastest-growing search for media is YouTube.
YouTube is searched nearly as often as Google, therefore, offering many opportunities to the new users.
Conclusion
As business owners most of us will be hurt, staff will be laid off and money will dwindle away. However, we are all in this together and must make the very best of a bad situation.
I have changed my activities from marketing to support, although daily I see businesses close down.
There will be a peak virus because of the extreme actions being introduced and the world will return to somewhat normal.
In some areas, this will be sooner rather than later. Italy, the US and Iran may be slower, but China is already there.
Our hope is to see you all back at the wheel recovering from a once in a lifetime event and regaining faith in your ability to survive.
Stay healthy
Covid-19 in business by Peter Hanley
About
Finally my last word in a moment near halfway in the Coronavirus journey. Don't let the storm tear you down, stay strong my friends and we will ride this out together.
Business after CORONA there are answers
Covid-19 is a disease which was first discovered in a city in China called Wuhan…The disease according to world healthy organization have claim over thousand of life and has affected over millions….recently there have been claims that the affected number from the origin of the disease has Benn declining and its a good move to eradicating the disease.
As of today, there are 664,000 reported cases and nearly 31,000 deaths worldwide and the increase doubles every three days.
My writing focused on small businesses where over half have closed their doors and are earning no money.
Millions of people out of work and living on welfare.
We must trust that it can be returned to normal.
peter H
The best platform to take advantage during this pandemic period is online. Like the saying goes make hay while the sun shines, the time we all have off work can prove to be a game changer in our lives if we put it to optimum use because such time freedom may not be easily available, just as this article suggest we can really start an online business within a short time of online training and grow it to profits. I really appreciate the author of this article for this diligent update because so many folks are confused as to what to make of the times, Also our situation can be turned for good if we take care of our business online during the covid 19 self quarantine period. Remembering that constant communication is key to a whole lot of success is vital. I wish us all a safe transition as we overcome the pandemic and move on with our lives. Peace
Thanks for the summary and you are correct.
Peter H
The first i want to do is try to share this great article with some of my friends. The website is really nice. and i have learnt something tangible from this well detailed article on covid19 in business. it is believed that there will be roll up of so many business but the truth is that some other businesses experience growth at this point of covid 19.
Hi Smoochi, I really appreciate you sharing my blog and am glad
it has value for you.
Many are in pain with their business however there is an end in sight
My belief is sooner rather than later but we shall see.
Best wishes
Peter H
Right now, I can tell that this is a really good one. I should first commend the input of effort in making this superb website with nice features and also writing an article on covid 19 and the effect on our business. i have already started some plans for my business and this is the time that remote working helps better.
Hi Benny
Thanks for taking time to read my blog.
I am happy that it may help in some small way.
Best wishes
Peter H