Getting Your Business Back on Track During COVID19

Getting your business back on track during COVID19 is no easy task. Here are a few tips to restart your engines. 

The coronavirus pandemic has had a negative impact on small businesses everywhere. Many were forced to shut down with the initial outbreak. The leisure industry was especially hard hit. Nationwide there were 100,000 restaurants and bars that closed their doors, some temporarily, others permanently. 

Many businesses, however, in cities across the country have been allowed to reopen, or will in the coming month. Some business owners are having a hard time getting back on their feet. But it’s not all bad news. Several businesses have found ways to adapt to the changing times and even thrive in the light of the current challenges. Bethpage Burger Bar on Long Island, NY, under the guidance of A2Z Restaurant Consulting, opened during the pandemic, yet continues to operate. 

Tips to get your business back on track

Prepare Your Space

Before you welcome your employees back to work and your customers back into your store or office, consider making some upgrades to make everyone feel comfortable and safe.

• Upgrade your lighting to boost productivity among your employees and set the right mood for your space. 
• Listen to what people are saying that makes them feel safest in retail stores so you can implement special measures to keep people healthy as you reopen.
• In addition to capping the number of employees, you let in your venue at one time, stagger employee shifts to further limit the number of people inside at the same time.

Improve Remote Team Collaboration

If your employees are working from home, learn how you can improve collaboration among your remote team.

• Keep all your team members on the same page with a good communication system
• Learn about the core principles of remote collaboration, such as communication and trust.
• Use collaboration tools to manage and oversee team projects from afar.
• Instead of viewing remote work as a temporary fix, try to see this as an opportunity to improve your business with the help of tech and virtual tools.

If you need consulting guidance, technology integration, or setup, don’t hesitate to contact us for a free consultation to identify your needs and options.

Get Back on Track During COVID19

Adapt Your Business Budget

Whether you run a B2B agency or a retail store, you may have to make some changes to your business budget to accommodate pandemic-related challenges and avoid financial stress.

• Consider canceling some business subscriptions you don’t need—or look for low-cost alternatives.
• Negotiate with suppliers, wholesalers, and manufacturers for better deals on products.
• Minimize your full-time staff and outsource work to specialized freelancers.
• Make sure you file an online annual report with your state to avoid costly fees and penalties.

When considering your budget, be sure to leave money available for marketing. Without it, you’re operating in a basement with no sign out front. 

– Bruce T. Dugan 

In an article on UpCity by David Brina regarding a 2022 survey about collaboration tools during the pandemic, the B2B survey found that:

• 44% of hybrid B2B and B2C businesses transitioned to the hybrid business model during COVID-19
• 43% of hybrid businesses are currently reassessing the types of team collaboration tools that they use. However, they haven’t officially changed tools yet
• 19% of overall respondents used Zoom as their top team collaboration tool pre-COVID. A majority of respondents are continuing to prioritize Zoom in 2022 at 23%
• 8% of small businesses that have been operating for 10+ years switched from using Microsoft Teams to Zoom during the pandemic

“If I was down to my last dollar, I would spend it on public relations!”

Bill Gates

Navigating the pandemic has been a challenge, and it’s not over yet! As you find ways to overcome pandemic-related barriers and keep your business running, try to keep a positive mindset. Take this as an opportunity to re-evaluate your business models, protocols, technology, and workflows. Embrace innovative new ideas that will keep you moving forward no matter what the future brings.