{"id":912,"date":"2020-06-03T11:57:32","date_gmt":"2020-06-03T11:57:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/circlehub.net\/?p=912"},"modified":"2020-10-15T18:35:52","modified_gmt":"2020-10-15T18:35:52","slug":"how-to-navigate-a-small-business-during-a-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/circlehub.net\/staging\/how-to-navigate-a-small-business-during-a-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Navigate a Small Business During a Pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Small businesses across America employ millions of Americans. These small businesses, owned by families and others in the private sector, are the backbone of small town and city economics. Without them, the entire American economy begins to suffer from the bottom up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For everyone, this global pandemic came as a shock. Businesses had set up to have their most financially successful year yet were struck hard, having to change goals and plans quickly. COVID-19 became the center of everyone\u2019s focus across the world almost overnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Multi-billion dollar companies, such as Facebook, may take a hit from difficult times like these, but the small businesses depending on each sale are going to be the ones that struggle the most.<\/strong> Many people wonder if it will be possible for them to stay open through this trying time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As everyone has adapted, help has come from all angles, and applicable advice rising from some successes and closures that have already panned out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keeping informed helps protect customers and employees alike as everyone moves through this together. Small companies should keep up with current news reports, closures by the state, and the most recent advice from the CDC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Knowing what the recommendations help customers know that they are respected and that their health and safety are essential. Maintaining a community-based reputation is especially important for small businesses and needs to always be at the forefront of business planning.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Being aware of the guidelines also helps to protect employees. For many businesses, this has meant transitioning into a primarily work-from-home environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Letting customers know what is happening with supply, closures, appointments, or anything applicable keeps them calm. In a time when nothing is very stable, people are always desperate for information. Keeping calm prevents panic and overdemand, causing a supply shock, such as in the toilet paper shortages around the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Luckily, almost as quickly as the pandemic swept across the world and forced global shutdowns, governments, and successful companies in the private sector began to offer financial aid solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regard the area of financial assistance as another area to be informed. Stay up to date with local grant programs offered for small businesses. <\/strong>Business owners need to take the time to figure out which federal aid programs they are eligible for to get them through the worst crises. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many of the loans offered by the federal or local governments are set at a low-interest rate to make it easier for businesses to stay afloat and continue supporting the local economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Small Business Administration is another essential avenue to look into if a small business needs a loan. Contact them to figure out what the options are depending on the industry under which the company falls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Business owners shouldn\u2019t just rely on their knowledge. This epidemic is unprecedented; little experience can be drawn on to offset the economic shocks that have come with the pandemic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fortunately, the United States Chamber of Commerce created a tool kit that lays out guidelines, resources, and easily accessible information for business owners to adapt to rapidly changing economic circumstances quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These tools have been put together to help owners navigate the uncertain waters of the time. They include customizable communications tools to help appropriate customer communications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adjusting business operations to match the changes during the pandemic is perhaps one of the most important parts of handling this pandemic better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Small businesses are directly impacted by even small changes in the economy and local demand. Without making appropriate adjustments, such as planning for decreased productivity and lower revenue than previously predicted, there will be too much strain for finances to absorb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Businesses in all industries worldwide have had to lay off employees or place them on furlough to help cut costs. Some companies have managed to keep their workforce intact, perhaps only cutting back some hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is crucial to note that levels of productivity are not going to be the same. In some areas, they might be significantly increased, depending on people\u2019s panic reactions, causing a temporary jump in demand. For most others, it means a slash in community demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Small business owners, especially in heavily impacted areas, should also account for missed time from employees caused by illness or because they need to care for other ill family members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It makes it easier to deal with these unscheduled situations to have a plan in place for expected occurrences. It is better to have a plan and not put it to use than be caught off guard when the situation occurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plan for lower productivity and inform customers immediately about any expected delays<\/strong>, perhaps having others on call for added help if available. The strategy may also include planned efforts to enable the business to catch up quickly once fully staffed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n COVID-19 has caused a work-from-home experiment larger than ever before. For some businesses with direct in-store customer services, working from home does not necessarily translate well. Another solution to the problem is to spread out, using a workspace that allows for larger offices and conference rooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, for many, even part of their business model can move online, allowing part or all of the workforce to stay at home and stay safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some businesses already have the infrastructure for online communications and work environments built into their company. However, this is often not the case for many small businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to facing the transition to working online, employers shouldn\u2019t assume anything for their employees as the entire work situation shifts. Many of them are likely unfamiliar with the programs they need to use, and working from home presents completely new problems with focus, parenting situations, and communications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To make the transition into an online business model more seamless, provide proper training for every new program and task brought in. <\/strong>Thorough training makes any other difficulties encountered in personal lives more bearable, allowing employees to fulfill expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many company owners have found success in utilizing anonymous feedback forms with so much transition and unexpected difficulties. Some people feel unintelligent if they still don\u2019t understand a new program, some have suggestions for how to streamline production, and others want to leave supportive feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not all suggestions and comments need to be put to use. However, anonymous forms allow employers to be aware of situations that they need to pay more attention to or where further clarification is required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trust is essential when moving a team online. The accountability and focused area present in a confined office space are no longer there when the team spreads out into each home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if there is a lot of trust between team members and managers, it still helps business productivity to keep accountability present in a work-from-home situation. Use calendar and business-planning programs to create schedules for deliverables during the week.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Make these accessible to the entire team to keep track of everyone\u2019s progress as they tick items off of daily and weekly lists, or keep it viewable only between the manager and each employee. Either way, everybody benefits from a schedule, especially if production and tasks change from what is typical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keeping the team functioning as one helps maintain cohesion and communication between all of the working members. Anonymous forms help managers and employers understand how team members are making changes. Still, team talks are important to ensuring everyone is on the same page and functioning well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some businesses benefit from having short briefs at the end of every working day, while some may only need to \u201cmeet\u201d every other week. All of this can be done online through the help of programs like Zoom. Schedule these in and inform employees of what they should have ready to report on or what will be covered. <\/p>\n\n\n\nStay Informed<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTake Advantage of Assistance<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Adjust Business Operations<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Reduce Productivity<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWorking From Home<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Proper Training<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAnonymous Feedback<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Create Weekly and Daily Deliverables<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTeam Talks<\/h1>\n\n\n\n