3 minute read
editor’s forum: OPEN FOR BUSINESS
As we adjust to new safety guidelines and precautionary measures, this should be the message from every retail store.
After speaking at the Car Media Convention in Germany on February 16 of this year, I found myself wondering if this virus could affect our industry. If so, what kind of disruptions could it cause? Just a few weeks later on March 11, I spoke at the GoFast event in New England.
I noticed great trepidation from exhibitors and attendees. Some greeted each other by nodding from a distance. Others offered a fist-bump, and some just embraced with a firm handshake or brotherly hug as if nothing had changed. That night, I had a long dinner with some well-respected members of the mobile electronics industry. Much of our conversation focused on what might happen next. For me, this marked the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Each day, news reports sounded worse. The future began to look bleak with little information to allay our worst fears. Stock markets reeled, the medical industry panicked and the news media did little to provide perspective. It felt like a swift kick in the gut. I am sure we all have a story to tell of how this nightmare left us feeling unnerved. Long days turned into even longer weeks.
Then Came the Waiting
Day after day, I listened to the news, feeling frustrated by a lack of good information and a wealth of disinformation. Then came closures of non-essential businesses, a watershed moment that required MEA to start gathering information on what was deemed essential. Once we understood, we could share information to help businesses stay open if they wanted to.
The potential of Small Business Association loans, both Economic Injury and Paycheck Protection, seemed to hang in the U.S. Congress for an eternity. MEA provided webinars to help understand a process none of us had ever experienced. I felt extremely disappointed at the first round and the mishandling by some financial institutions. The second round of funding seemed to be more focused on those in need.
As of this writing, many of you have received funds to shore up your businesses. I am happy we were able to help.
Is Your Business Essential?
Finding out what defined an essential business led us to understand the Department of Homeland Security Identification of Essential Infrastructure. We reviewed each state and province to understand their interpretation. Here’s my personal take on “essential businesses.” Governments and thus politicians have a way of deeming businesses essential that has nothing to do with how I feel about the topic. Essential, to me, is any business that produces income to provide for you, your family, your team and their families. What is non-essential to others has little to do with what you need to fulfill your obligations and live your life. I hope we never again see a day when any of us are deemed non-essential. For those of you who listed your business as vehicle repair, you had proof to meet the criteria. I recommend taking the time to update your listing with your state to make sure you never have to deal with this again. While I know business may have been down for many of you, I was happy to see a large majority were able to stay open.
The Next Phase: Reopening
The Federal Government set out an approach for reopening that provided guidelines which some states followed. Others made more cautious plans. We are all learning through this. I do not suggest throwing caution to the wind, but I do think all voices should be represented and heard in a free society. I fear we have become complacent in allowing social and traditional news media to define what is appropriate. I hope one day we can all feel free to speak our minds without hesitation and fear of retaliation.
Today, I am glad to hear many retailers are having an experience similar to Black Friday due in part to stimulus checks and pent-up demand, coupled with seasonal uptick—and, I believe, a desire to drive rather than fly this summer. Hopefully, we all experience this rush. It will go a long way to making up for losses suffered over the past couple of months. Stay safe and healthy. I look forward to seeing everyone in person at our next event!
