business
Business Contingency Planning – Need Help? Niki Tudge sets out some sound business advice to help small business owners take appropriate action to ensure they ride out the storm during these challenging times Batten down the hatches. If the business environment gets even more tough and you find yourself fraught with cancellations, you will have to look at how you fiscally conduct business. It is never a bad time to review all your expenditures and look at how you can tighten your expenses. When income levels drop, controlling and maintaining expenses can be the difference in the survival or failure of a business. © Can Stock Photo / damedeeso
During the pandemic, some small business owners, though, may find themselves having to rethink how they do business for a few weeks, or longer
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y now, we are all well aware of the impact of the coronavirus. Things have been changing rapidly. First off, let’s not panic! But let’s also recognize that it may get a little rough and rocky for a while. No one knows for how long, but in the meantime, stay informed, review facts, verify information and then take action accordingly. Depending on where you live and your operating business environ ment, you may not be impacted at all, or you may only experience some small inconveniences. Some small business owners, though, may find themselves having to rethink how they do business for a few weeks, or longer. As I said, no one knows. Below, I have listed a few points for you to consider to help you plan for all contingencies: 1. Stay in tune with your local authorities regarding the risk fac tors based on where you live and also on your personal situa tion in terms of health, vulnerability, etc. 2. Gather information from your local, State and Federal govern ments so you can make the most informed and safe decisions. 3. Follow recommended protocols for contact with other people. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Pre vention (CDC) has published the document, Coronavirus Dis ease 2019 (COVID19): Get Your Home Ready, which gives up todate recommendations on how to prepare and stay safe (see Resources).
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BARKS from the Guild/July 2020
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Consider your business model and how you deliver services, so get remote or virtual friendly wherever possible. In other words, make use of technology to sustain your business serv ices during these uncertain times. Here are some options: • If you run group classes and work in a small enclosed area, consider taking classes on the road where you can manage your exposure and proximity to people. • Consider conducting virtual lessons via webcam so you can continue to coach and provide feedback to clients. Coach ing can be done on a onetoone basis or in small groups. Software such as GoToMeeting, Skype, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Hangouts Meet, and even Facebook Messenger can be used. These all give you the ability to work remotely while interacting both audibly and visibly with clients (see also Surviving the Storm on pp.20‐22). • If you are entering clients’ homes, prepare in advance how you intend to do this. Communicate your expectations to clients beforehand on how you plan to conduct your ar rival, departure and interactions with them. • Communicate with your clients as to how the current situ ation will impact your business and your services. Thank them for their patience and ask for their support. Over communicate if necessary so you maintain contact with