Ask the BBI

What Can Business-Owners Do to Combat COVID-19?

COVID-19 has drastically aff ected the way businesses operate and our day-to-day routines. We’ve put together 5 quick tips for small business-owners navigating the global pandemic and its aft ermath.

Increase Flexibility:

Help your employees practice social distancing with options like fl ex time or remote work. Once you decide on what projects and tasks can be completed from home, survey the staff to determine what tools and resources they may need at home to succeed in this unique situation. Th ese may include a computer, a monitor, fi le folder from the offi ce, etc.

Understand Your team:

It is a stressful time for all and taking the time to understand how COVID-19 is impacting your team can help you better support their needs. Can you help them navigate government programs or do they need assistance accessing other resources? Most likely, your employees will have lots of questions and it is important to stay informed so that you can help them. All of this can be learned through supportive communication with your team. On top of getting to know the team individually, take this time to get creative and interact in new ways as a big group. Use Zoom calls or Skype to get everyone together and play a game or just small talk to catch up. Th e relaxed non-work social interactions at the offi ce cannot be replicated, but trying to keep employees connected and involved is so important.

Experiment with new Ideas:

If you have been waiting to dive into e-commerce or branch into new revenue streams now is

Raymond Tynes,

Human Rights Commission

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With over 150 ways to volunteer, joining an agency, board, or commission allows you to help unite communities while supporting what matters to you. Applications are now open. The deadline for some applications is June 22, 2020. To learn more and apply, visit novascotia.ca/abc or call 1-866-206-6844 (toll free).

The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy. We welcome applications from Aboriginal people, African Nova Scotians, other racially visible people, persons with disabilities, women, and other employment equity groups. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify. the time to do it. Use this time to learn and get creative. If you are unable to transform your business into e-commerce, then perhaps create a digital gift card so that customers can continue to support the business while they wait for things to get back to normal. Also, new creative ideas don’t simply include taking your old business and giving it a tweak, they can also mean off ering brand new services or products. Some local businesses have now begun making masks as a way to use their time eff ectively, help the community, and create some cash fl ow for the business. Get Creative!

Explore Financial Supports:

Now is the time to get in touch with your bank, credit and/or insurance providers, suppliers, landlords and the government to discuss how COVID-19 is impacting your business. Th ere are tons of resources and accommodations being rolled out for businesses and it is important you take the steps to get as much support as possible during this time. Most fi nancial institutions are helping their customers on a case by case basis. Th is means that if you don’t reach out to them, they won’t know you are in need. Take the time to make the phone calls and soldier through the twenty or more minutes on hold because a quick conversation can have a big impact on how your business navigates the next few months.

Give your business some TLC:

Whether you are getting to know staff , getting caught up on bills and the fi nances, or taking the time to simplify work fl ows and processes, take this time as an opportunity to not just get caught up but to set yourself up for success once you are back to normal business operations. Now is the time to create small and eff ective changes in your processes and again, to get creative with how you do things moving forward. If you are in need of support, services, or resources as a small business-owner, we encourage you to reach out to our team at bbi@ bbi.ns.ca or 902-426-8683.