4 Key Strategies for Businesses Transitioning Out of Lockdown
We may not be there yet, but the time is coming when
businesses will reopen, and people will go back to work. Are you doing things
now that will ensure that your business is one of those that will bounce back
when that happens? Let’s look at the key strategies that companies are using to
stay top of mind with their customer base and come back strong.
1.
Network
with Other Business Owners
You aren’t in this alone. The COVID-19 crisis is affecting
every industry in one way or another. Your competitors are dealing with some of
the same issues that you are. Physical networking groups aren’t meeting as
usual, but most have found a way to continue their networking over digital
channels.
This is a time when business owners need each other more
than ever. Find out what other businesses are doing to weather the shutdown.
Find ways that you can support one another in your efforts to stay afloat.
Bartering services has never been as popular as it is now. Even companies that
would normally compete against each other are trying to find ways to carry each
other through to the other end of the tunnel.
2.
Creative Cash Flow Strategies
The lack of cash flow is one of the hardest hurdles to get
past for most small businesses. How do you continue to pay rent and lease
payments without an income? How do you pay for inventory that is sitting on the
shelves? Several businesses have been attempting to alleviate their cash flow
crisis by thinking outside the traditional parameters of their business.
Restaurants are a great example of this. Whether it is the
local diner or national franchise like Perkins, restaurants are offering more
than just takeout meals to their customers. With shortages in food supply
chains, many restaurants are offering their commercial food stock for sale. For
instance, you can now order frozen steaks or burgers from Perkins, along with other
items from their freezer and pantries.
Other businesses are finding other ways to serve their
customers while keeping their doors closed. Pet stores and veterinarians are
delivering pet food and other supplies to customers. New York temporarily waived
existing laws to allow drive-through pickup of individual cocktails. Selling
gift cards for future use has also been a tactic for getting interest-free
money without going to the bank.
3.
Community Contributions Count
The news outlets are doing their best to provide positive,
uplifting content during the crisis. Stories of people and businesses making
contributions to support and encourage healthcare workers and seniors have been
common themes. Here are a few of those stories.
- Florists delivering bouquets to hospitals to beautify nursing stations or to nursing homes to brighten up the days of seniors in lockdown.
- Catering services and pizza delivery services providing free meals to healthcare workers.
- Starbucks is giving out complimentary beverages to healthcare workers and emergency personnel for a limited time.
- Discounted rides for healthcare workers from Uber.
- Serta Simmons Bedding is donating mattresses to hospitals.
- Contributions to local food banks from a variety of businesses.
As you can see, just about any business can find a way to
make a contribution that demonstrates support for their communities. Companies
who offer support in these ways are sure to be remembered when they open up to
the public again.
4.
Empathy Is the Word of the Day
The one thing you DON’T want to do as a business right now
is to come across as self-focused or trying to profit from the pandemic in any
way. You should couch all your communications in empathy for your customers
right now. “We understand and we care…” should be the main ideas reaching your
customers and community through social media, emails, and any other channels
you use to reach the public.
What you say isn’t the only way you show customers that you
care about them and their concerns. With so much communication limited to
telephone and digital channels, a personal touch to your customer concerns and
feedback is more important than ever. Think about it. Many of your customers
may have spent hours on hold waiting to talk to someone about their unemployment
claim or their credit card payments. When frustration levels are high, it
doesn’t take much to push someone past their patience limit.
Transitioning Into the Unknown Future
No one knows for sure how the reopening will be accomplished
or how long it will take. But, eventually, businesses will reopen, people will
go back to work, and some sense of normalcy will return. Then, just like now,
how you communicate with your customers and the public will be critical. Guest-Note is leading the way in the
next generation of personalized customer service that minimizes delays in
response time. We’d be happy to help you get ready now for the days ahead.
