BLOG | Business Management How Can Small Businesses Survive COVID-19

The novel coronavirus or widely known as COVID-19 placed a major hold on all activities all over the world. Aside from our brave front-liners, almost everyone is now at home, shielding themselves from harm. Because of this change in activity, people are now forced to stay indoors and maintain distance from each other.

For example, classes and meetings are now held online. Newscasters are also forced to stream from their homes to deliver the latest news and updates. People who cannot go outside are also coerced to call for deliveries, as well.

With this unfortunate situation happening all over the world, people are now confused about what to do next. Some of them are the small business owners who are thinking of ways on how they can survive. With a decline in demand and supply, these entrepreneurs are now at a loss on how they can manage their businesses to stay afloat. Some small business owners are now struggling with how they can maintain cash flow even with the shift in their target.

This all leads to wondering how they can support their employees, their rent, loans, and more. Again, this is a challenging time for all of us, not just for small business owners. We are all finding ways on how we can survive through this pandemic, so it is just right that we help each other out.

Proweaver Is Here to Assist You

As your trusted partner when it comes to all things business and technology, we are here to help. Proweaver is an experienced IT company that specializes in creating custom websites for any business. From healthcare to nonprofit organizations, we have years of experience when it comes to dealing with different fields. Our experts are sure to assist any business partner when they face any dilemma with their online presence and more.

Back to COVID-19, it is also worth mentioning that the pandemic did not spare us, too. Our employees are also working from home to ensure everyone’s safety. But this does not mean that we will stop serving you. As your reliable website company, we will provide you with tips to help your small business survive through the pandemic. Not just within online constructs, but with some overall aspects, as well. After all, we want to help each and every small business out there that needs a shed of light to stay afloat.

Your Small Business’ Guide to Surviving the Pandemic

Many businesses all over the world have undergone the same drop in business for the past couple of years. And what they always say, even now, is that everything will soon pass. It may be a long time from now, but with perseverance and passion, you can do this. This may sound impossible, knowing that there are little resources, but we have to work with what we got. This is not the end of the world, and we can still work our way through this.

First of all, you need to assess if your government is providing relief for everyone, including businesses. If so, then you are in luck. Use this as your guide to help your business and everyone in it. Remember, it’s not just you who is struggling, but others as well. Think of your employees and the mouths they are feeding, the bills they are paying. As a good leader, you must think fast and work together with your team to overcome challenges.

Proweaver has gathered several tips from various business experts on how you can survive the pandemic. With the drop in economic activity, it is high time that you act fast. The following tips will be further discussed in this article.

1. Give Your Business Model Some Tweaking
2. Observe Your Team
3. Think Of Your Processes
4. Communicate!
5. Being Online Is Your Best Friend
6. Plan Ahead
7. Health Is Wealth
8. Tap Into Relief
9. Seek Opportunities
10. Keep Calm and Be Strong

With the help of these ten tips, we can hopefully ensure your small business’ survival through the COVID-19 pandemic. We must be vigilant and ready to cushion the pandemic’s effects to our businesses, though that we are still at the early stages. Being prepared to execute your plan B will always be helpful when it comes to continuing your services in your community.

1. Give Your Business Model Some Tweaking

   You must be thinking, “are you out of your mind?” But trust us on this. Originally coming from Inc.’s CEO Jim Schleckser, giving your business model some changes here and there will benefit you. According to Schleckser, fixing your business model allows you to see changes and possible opportunities for your business. This is also a great opportunity to explore ways to add recurring revenue to your business model because that will dramatically increase the value of your small business.

   Also, do not do this only for the sake of getting more money. Instead, do this for the sole purpose of helping out. Not only will this give you cash flow, but it will also allow you to tap into potential consumers, as well. Look at the demands of your community and work your way around to see a possible outcome. With that, try and see if you can tweak your business model according to the needs of your consumers. And as your changes continue to keep your small business afloat, build that up into greater services that your market can enjoy.

2. Observe Your Team

   Does your team require new skills according to your new changes? Do not be afraid to grow together! With classes now online, take advantage of this benefit and learn new skills along with your team. Online class platforms like Skillshare have thousands of lessons that will surely fit your small business’ needs.

   By doing this with your team, you can observe the people who you can trust and grow along with your business. It is also inevitable that because of this pandemic, there may be possibilities where someone may be laid off. Try and avoid this by letting them enhance their skills.

   With everything that’s going on, it is best that all of us must work together. Look at your team as your support through this challenge. They will assist you in coursing through the obstacles. Aside from that, they might also have great ideas that they can share. These ideas may also be your next step toward surviving the pandemic. So, it is always great to encourage everyone to speak up and share their thoughts. That way, you can be given with possible strategies that you can add to your business model.

3. Think Of Your Processes

   With everyone working from home, this can be your time to look at your small business’ processes and systems. The opening here is to utilize your business’ unique work experience and think of how you can use technology to make your business more efficient. If you see that there are lapses that hinder your operations from becoming more effective, then it is high time that you utilize online tools that are safe, dependable, and easy to use.

   With the unique circumstances of working away from the office, your work system will be given exposure to a host of new tools that you might not have known about before. Here are some examples of apps and software that may make your work from home experience easier.

   1. CoSchedule – helps you organize your marketing calendar and team, all in one place.
   2. MailChimp – helps you send customized emails to various consumers anywhere and anytime.
   3. Slack – a real-time messaging application where you and your team can communicate.
   4. Wagepoint – an online payroll application that is built for small businesses.
   5. Google Hangouts – a Google application where everyone on your team can join and hold virtual meetings.

4. Communicate!

   Not just within your team, but with your customers, as well. Make sure that you let them know that you are still listening to their needs. Also, make this an opportunity to show your compassion and empathy. According to the Harvard Business Review reports, “When customers are separated from the work that’s being done behind the scenes to serve them, they appreciate the service less and then they value the service less.” So make it a point to be transparent with your customers and show them that you are still as reliable as before.

   Make sure that you share with your market the steps your small business is taking to maintain servicing the community. This way, they can still be informed of your processes. Your consumers will always maintain their loyalty to you as you continue to communicate with them daily online. Because according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, customers can empathize with brands facing a crisis, as long as you communicate with them properly.

5. Being Online Is Your Best Friend

   There is no denying that online services have appeared since the dawn of the internet. But, it has especially skyrocketed nowadays when the pandemic occurred. Although online services have already been present before the outbreak, the need for immediate deliveries is needed now because of social distancing and quarantine. Businesses all over the world have taken this to their advantage as they saw that online activity has increased more than ever. Instead of going out, people now opt to shop online. For example, their daily needs for groceries can now be taken care of by requesting delivery services.

   With this in mind, it is time that you should think about the endless possibilities that you can do online. Find time to brainstorm with your team and think of ways on how you can bring your products and services online. Let your target consumers know that your small business is still available and that you can help with everyone’s daily survival. No matter what your business is, there is an opportunity for you online. Take this to your advantage and continue to help out the community in these trying times.

6. Plan Ahead

   Being prepared for the long run is a vital quality that you, as a small business owner, should have. Do not waste time in maintaining a dull flow within your processes. With the changes you made in your business model, turn these into long-term changes that you can customize anytime. This may sound difficult to do, but trust us, you will get through this. Your small business still has a lot of room to improve, so make that count. Do not throw away the chances for growth and learning and be brave. Your business and your team need a strong will and perseverance to push through all the obstacles.

   In addition, planning ahead will also ensure that your business continues to run even after the pandemic. This is your chance to look for the lapses in your current system and look for openings for change. Tweak it into something that you can work with until the end. As the head of your small business, of course you’re very busy with everything that’s going on, but it pays to lean back and plan for your future. Take the time to forecast, plan, and budget.

7. Health Is Wealth

   

   Always maintain cleanliness. Even if all of your team is working from home, never cease from reminding everyone to sanitize. But if all of you are still in the office, make it a point to do hourly sanitization procedures. Disinfect each surface that is mostly used: the floor, handles, computers, tables, chairs, the bathroom, and more. This way, you will ensure the health and safety of your team, as well as your customers. Aside from that, you will also help assure every one of your customers and clients that your establishment is safe and clean.

   Also, be transparent about your new procedures. Let your clients know of the necessary steps when inside the establishment. From wearing masks to sanitizing hands after coming in and going out is an example of what you can do to maintain safety and wellness. They must also know of the important steps that each staff member is making to guarantee safety within your business.

8. Tap Into Relief

   As of late, various news sources have shared ways to get a “Small Business Relief”. According to Forbes, about 30 million small businesses across the United States are in trouble, with half of that number blaming the pandemic for revenue decline.

   That information is true. With the decrease in economic activity, small businesses are now struggling for survival. Business owners are now at a loss on how they can support their employees and pay bills at the same time. Currently, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is working directly with state governors to provide disaster assistance loans to assist small businesses to recover from the pandemic. According to SBA, these loans have low interest rates: the interest rate for small businesses is 3.75%; the interest rate for nonprofits is 2.75%. You can learn more about this topic by visiting Forbes’ article here.

9. Seek Opportunities

   Again, make this as your start for a new system within your business. Small businesses nowadays have a lot of room for improvement, so consider this as your start. In the previous section, we talked about looking after your community’s needs. So with that in mind, find a way to incorporate your services within that community. Continue your work as a small business owner and serve the people who need your services and products. Also, make this as your jumping point to advertise your business further.

   Make sure that your business will still be in the minds of your audiences and your prospective clients even after the pandemic. That way, you can secure new customers as well as regulars coming in.

   Maintaining your vigor and seeking those opportunities online and offline can greatly benefit your endeavors in the long run. This will be your start to learn how to act from your mistakes and lessons encountered. As a small business, you must never be afraid to struggle for survival because all companies start from that. Looking for that silver lining in the middle of the outbreak can help you grow and thrive. It may be difficult, but remember that you have your team with you to support you throughout the journey.

10. Keep Calm and Be Strong

    And last but not least, do not falter. Never lose sight of the shore and never give up. As your team’s stronghold, they will depend on you. So make sure that you will communicate with them every time. Their support is essential for you to go through each obstacle that COVID-19 has brought. We can never guarantee that the pandemic will end early, but let us be strong together and never lose hope. Maintaining our calm will greatly help us in terms of thinking of new ways to serve the public, as well as managing your small business.

    Remember, all of this will soon pass. It is not guaranteed when, but with everybody working together to fight the virus, we will emerge victorious. Small businesses like yours are capable of many things, and that includes serving the community. Maintain your vigor and drive to survive the pandemic.

In Conclusion for Your Small Business

And while you are at it, seeking the help of professionals will greatly benefit you in the middle of this crisis. Not only will they provide you with great advice, but they will be there to support you throughout your journey, as well. Do not be afraid to form partnerships with every professional who holds the same vision as you do and sees your small business as a great initiative.

The COVID-19 crisis has been one of the most unexpected events that we have ever encountered. It can affect every individual, business, and country. With many people being forced to stay at home, there has never been a greater need for connection, especially for small businesses. More than ever, it is high time that you start to make changes within your business’ processes. It is important for your clients and employees to know that you are still there for them, despite everything that is happening. Every single thing you do should be well-thought-out to ensure the wellness and safety of everyone.

Again the tips that we are giving you to help your small business survive are:

1. Give Your Business Model Some Tweaking
2. Observe Your Team
3. Think Of Your Processes
4. Communicate!
5. Being Online Is Your Best Friend
6. Plan Ahead
7. Health Is Wealth
8. Tap Into Relief
9. Seek Opportunities
10. Keep Calm and Be Strong

Incorporate any of them into your small business and we hope that you will see the positive changes that it will bring. After all, we at Proweaver want nothing but your success. We also started as a small business with big goals. But with the right planning and execution, we managed to push through.

Now, we are a world-class web design and development company that focuses on showcasing each client’s strengths. Through custom websites that help boost businesses, we hope that you, too, will find our tips useful and informative. Because with everything that is happening, we all need to work together to survive. Let us start working together! With our help, you can stay relevant and connected to your clients throughout the pandemic.

We Value You and Your Small Business

If you need more business strategies to learn from, do not hesitate to reach out to our team here at Proweaver. Our team of professionals will make sure that you get to receive informative details on how to boost your online presence. We will make sure that we get to help your small business in every way we can. From online strategies to guiding you in upgrading your website, we will be here to help. We have a team of expert web developers, designers, and content writers who will ensure the success of your endeavors.

So what are you waiting for? Experience our high-quality assistance for your small business online. Contact any of our helpful representatives today so that we can help you improve your small business’ online presence. Not sure about where to start? No problem! We will make the process easy for you.

Experience the Proweaver difference today!