How can small businesses survive coronavirus?

How can small businesses survive coronavirus? 

 

As we self-quarantine and go through this coronavirus hysteria all together, a lot of the small and mid-sized businesses are going to be affected. 

 

So, any advice for small businesses being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic? 

 

The answer here is super simple: P.P.I

 

It is perspective first. Be grateful for what you have now: people you love are healthy and prepare for the worst to come.

 

The second P stays for Patience. 

 

As we wait out this hysteria to pass, coming up with a good business continuity plan helps you react faster than your competitors. 

 

What makes a good plan? Don’t worry, we got you back.

 

In the short term, just remember these 5 things:

1. Send out email/SMS to your clients, ensuring your services and making them at peace;
2. Set up a call-forwarding service to a predetermined backup location.
   1. Set up a single or multiple hotline numbers for employees, customers, and vendors who call, so all parties know about your business situation and emergency plan.
   2. Switch your provider for a cheaper price.
3. Protect hardware/software/data records/client information/employee records, etc.
   1. Backup your files remotely to an off-site location! Cloud hosting services can remove the burden of offsite data storage and ensure a faster recovery.
4. Create a remote access plan
   1. Establish a remote working location for your business, like asking your employees to work from home (WFH), so that they can access applications and databases from remote locations.
5. Assemble a crisis-management team and coordinate efforts with neighboring businesses and building management
   1. Outline a plan for supply chains for business essentials.

 

The last and most important thing that will get you through this hysteria is innovation, where the “I” stands for.

 

If in the past, all your events and channels for selling are offline. Maybe it’s time to go digital? What about online conferences? Zoom public speaking events? If young people can have a lot of fun with live-streaming DJ events and raves, your clients will too! 

 

Local stores that people now don't travel to may want to create delivery infrastructure. You may want to start using some new products like Slack, Box, or Dropbox.

 

This is a time for innovation for everyone. It’s 2020, Innovation and digital marketing now goes hand in hand.

 

If this article is too long, just remember P.P.I and 5 things you need to do for a continuity business plan. Trust us, Eton ICT is with you, and we will go through this hard time altogether.