Due to the present coronavirus pandemic, businesses of all sizes are being compelled to adapt. The temporary closure of brick-and-mortar shops and restaurants is a big concern for business owners.
Several businesses, on the other hand, are providing tremendous inspiration by developing novel ways to expand and maintain commerce in the face of the pandemic. We’ve compiled a handful of these examples to demonstrate how you may begin addressing the COVID-19 problem right now.
Increase delivery
After all, typical delivery services aren’t new. Many businesses, on the other hand, have found novel ways to reach out to customers who are unable to leave their homes and go to stores or restaurants. Small businesses may alter their products to make them appropriate for takeaway, from selling meals and food packages to providing cook-at-home food kits with instructions. This concept may be used in a wide number of industries, not only food and beverage. Sewing, painting, and molding kits are available at craft stores, and companies may market and sell their items through social media.
To make your organization delivery-ready, you’ll need to do more than just organize logistics. Make sure potential consumers have a pleasant experience by walking them through the steps they would take themselves: is your company easy to find, is a delivery choice clear, are your products suitable for shipping, use, or manufacturing at home? When you’re through with the operation, you’re free to leave.
Make long-term plans
Preparing for the day when you can reopen your store or restaurant and resume normal operations is a fantastic approach to make the most of this time of uncertainty. You can offer consumers the opportunity to pay forward for some services to maintain money flowing in when you have fewer clients and, as a result, fewer sales.
This may be done simply by giving consumers vouchers that they can use now to support you but later redeem for items or services. At this time, gift vouchers are also a wonderful way to promote. You might create Christmas bundles that people may pre-book or reserve in advance and then receive a gift certificate to deliver to a loved one as a tangible object in preparation.
Look into any product releases or menu modifications that have been delayed due to the COVID-19 outbreak and convert them into a pre-order opportunity. Create some hype around these releases by using social media and your current customer network, and give customers the option to pay in advance and then wait for the actual release. Make sure you work on your brand and look for assistance, and one of the best we can suggest now is an excellent Uberbrand website, where you can find out everything you need to improve your brand.
Take advantage of online chances
As previously said, being online is critical at this time. With so few people walking past your restaurant or business on the street (if any at all), having an online presence is the only way to market your services and keep in touch with your clients. Your company website should be easy to use and beautiful, in addition to having up-to-date social media profiles.
And, while going online is a need during this crisis, it can also be viewed as a great opportunity. You might look at ways to convert what you offer into internet-friendly services depending on the type of your business. Instead, gyms and health firms might provide online fitness or nutrition lessons.
A jewelry store or a furniture business, for example, can provide lessons and webinars to consumers who are unable to leave their homes. Cook-along films may be shown in cafes and restaurants, and virtual pub quizzes and parties can be offered by bars and pubs.
Make a local connection
During this difficult time, staying connected to your local community and offering assistance in any manner you can is crucial. Contributing to a collaborative endeavor can not only aid needy individuals but can also create a valuable support network for you and your company.
Look for projects and publications that share and emphasize how your local network is evolving at this moment. You may then contribute by revealing how your company operates, whether it’s through new digital goods and services or gift certificates and vouchers.
It’s also crucial to consider how you can help. Make an effort to support local entrepreneurs by purchasing locally and, when feasible, promoting their enterprises on your social media platforms. You may turn to firms who are also working with their local governments to adapt their services into creating items that are in high demand across the corporation if you have the means to do so. Some alcoholic beverage companies are now making sanitizer, while several apparel retailers have changed to make masks instead.
Inspire your employees
If you have some employees that work remotely and your brick-and-mortar business has temporarily closed due to current constraints, it’s important to develop a clear remote working policy. If the crisis has altered the focus, make sure your staff has the tools they need to continue doing their tasks or to engage in alternate, new activities. To make the move to working from home as simple as possible, consider the hardware and electrical infrastructure, as well as digital tools and software.
Encourage people who work from home to create a dedicated workplace in their homes. Maintain your motivation by making sure you have clear contact channels via which you can check in regularly.
Given the volatility of the time and the nature of the business, it may not be practical for many firms to set up their employees to work remotely. However, the government is doing some steps to ensure that your employees’ employment is protected. You may also urge your staff to be innovative in terms of how the company can adapt and evolve during this time. Give some of your employees control of a social media communication channel or a customer newsletter.
Hopefully, these pointers will inspire you and provide you the tools you need to adjust to the new challenge we’re up against right now. We’ll be publishing articles with easy-to-follow guidance for businesses to get through this period over the coming few weeks. We’ll also keep you informed about other company-wide initiatives we’re working on to relieve some of the stress you’re experiencing. For more information, please visit our blog.
Mike is an Australian business consulting specialist. He’s working with companies that outsource their IT maintenance. He often writes about technology, business, and marketing and is a regular contributor on several websites.
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