To survive the economic impact of the pandemic, small businesses have needed to get smart and creative. There are a lot of factors that go into keeping your business running on a normal day but throwing in a global pandemic that requires new operation rules, regulations and safety precautions can make your day-to-day a little more stressful.
One of the most important things you can do as a business owner is to make safety and the health of your staff and customers a number one priority. This includes using resources and making changes that will actively stop the spread, even if it means your traffic decreases temporarily. This also includes being vigilant in your communication.
Implementing New Safety Precautions
Safety has been a hot topic for almost a year now with the pandemic still very much a part of our day-to-day lives. As a small business owner, being aware of the local laws and guidelines that govern your area is crucial to providing a safe environment for your staff members and customers.
Making active changes to your environment will put everyone at ease and keep the risk of infection down. So how can you implement new safety precautions? These are some of the easiest ways you can combat Covid-19 as a small business owner:
- Have hand sanitizer readily available and make sure staff and customers are using it frequently.
- Implement thorough cleaning techniques throughout your space. Also, clean more frequently than you typically would.
- Have a mandatory mask rule in place for all patrons and employees entering your premises.
- Create sanitizing stations at entry/exit points.
- Limit the number of customers in your space at a time.
- Stagger employee shifts to minimize the amount of people working at a given time.
- Keep employees informed on any travel restrictions and government announcements.
- If possible, give your employees the option to work from home.
- Establish procedures for your staff to report if they are feeling unwell or suspect exposure to the coronavirus.
Adjusting your small business to adhere to these simple changes will make the health and safety of everyone involved a priority. Plus, it will ensure your workspace is being as safe and respectful of everyone’s health concerns as possible.
Clear Communication is Important
Now, more than ever, we are in desperate need of communication. With many businesses turning to the internet to reach customers and provide important information, keeping up to date with your small business’s online presence is vital to staying afloat.
Be transparent. Post your company’s Covid-19 procedures on your website. Make sure any fluctuation in hours or changes to your internal operations are clearly communicated to your customers.
Be flexible. Some people are not going to be comfortable going into public places just yet. Or they are doing so very minimally and only for necessary items. If you want to stay in touch with your customers and continue to serve to the best of your ability, you may need to get creative.
At Saint Louis Closet Co. we offer virtual design consultations to limit our customer’s time out of the house and limit our time in other homes. If your business can go digital in any way, try, and make it happen. You never know…this might even open up an opportunity to capture more business!
Be Ready to Adapt
Why? Because whether we like it or not, Covid-19 is not going to disappear overnight. We are being forced to adjust how we live our lives, how we communicate, and how we make a simple trip outside of our home.
Understanding the need for safety and security of others is going to be a crucial factor in running your small business. Look for ways in which you can support both your staff and your customers’ needs. Look for ways in which you can diversify your products or services. Look for new tools and methods of communicating.
And, remember to breathe! We are all in this together and finding our way through it. There will be highs and lows, but you will persevere with your entrepreneur mindset. You can set your small business up for success during Covid-19 by making impactful changes to the way you operate—both digitally and in person.
