Useful Business Saving Actions During COVID-19 Lockdown

Maurer Consulting Group has been a from home operation for quite some time. So, that part was not a new hardship imposed by COVID-19 shutdowns. Other small business owners and leaders watched as their businesses imploded into a number of separate pieces, trying to continue operations from numerous different places. Business as they knew it was reconfigured overnight and with little warning. I know it was time for some useful business saving actions and strategies.

I am thankful that my isolation at home is just my husband and myself during the COVID-19 pandemic. That has been our normal for the past several years since my husband retired. It took a while to adjust and acclimate ourselves (me, more than him) to even that minor change. It took a while to get used to another person in my office everyday, interrupting, asking questions and wanting to be fed or amused. But, we survived.

Facing a New ‘Normal’ On Little Notice

Millions of owners and employees were forced to their homes to carry on business. We were all told it would only be for a couple of weeks’ time. Many never, ever worked from home and were not set up to react so quickly to such disruptive actions. It didn’t take long to realize their need for some useful business saving actions to get them through this unique situation.

Others were forced to work from their homes with young children there all day, every day as schools closed. In addition to holding down their own job in difficult situations, they had to take on other tasks. They became school teachers when children were no longer permitted to attend local schools – often teaching several grade levels.

Add in child care, family entertainment and the rest of everything piled on the shoulders of our business owners and workforce. Kudos to each and every one of you. You found ways to deal with it all and make the best of what has become a horribly difficult situation. I salute your ingenuity and stick-to-it traits and skills.

What I did, trapped at home 24/7 for ten weeks

Other than having to cook again, do basic cleaning – and sanitizing – my business needed continued attention and more than a few changes. I began to make lists – grocery lists, cleaning lists, and who to support as best we could. Needless to say, I needed some quick, actionable and useful business saving actions to keep my business afloat. From the business perspective, lists of customers to contact, necessary changes to my website, alternative uses for existing content marketing resources to sell and help businesses in deep trouble.

I jotted down other things that I, and others, could do while stuck at home trying to keep our own small business afloat.

10 Positive Things to Do for Your Small Business While Stuck at Home

Launch (or update, as is my case) your company website and/or blog.
Take SEO (search engine optimization) seriously so prospects can find you easily. If consumers can’t find us, we can’t serve or sell to them. This SEO Guide should be helpful.
Create a ‘to die for’ freebie to attract customers. Depending on what you are selling and who your target audience is, you should be able to make a digital piece in a few hours time. Offer it on your website or social media to prospects at no cost in exchange for their name and email address. A mailing list will become the most valuable asset your firm has.
Next, create a killer landing page for that freebie giveaway. Whether you decide that a tips list, check list, e-book or case study would attract customers, you will need a landing page to advertise it and collect the data for your contact list.
Set up a YouTube channel. Why? 8 Billion people view videos every single day. Odds are your ideal customers are among that massive viewing audience. Get started with this How to video.
Make videos with tips about your product and service and upload them for clients to find. If you have a mobile phone, you can make videos three to five minutes in length.
Get on the hot, hot, hot video bandwagon. Go Live on Facebook. Think about a subject or topic you can do a video about just one or two days a week. Again, tips to help them get the most from the products or services you offer.
Build customer relationships. Make a phone call or send a handwritten note to them. This is time to show that you care about them, their health and their current situation. Start with your top customers, then, work through other customers and past customers. Don’t be making sales pitches right now unless they bring up the subject.
Remain relevant to your customers’ needs at this time of overwhelm. If you can do something to help them out, go ahead. They will appreciate your thought and kindness.
Continue to communicate with customers, just don’t overdo it. Use email to stay in touch. Leave a cheerful message on their Voicemail. Let them know you are still in business, ready to help them. Place these messages on your phone answering message, as a pop-up on your website, in your Social Media profiles, as a ‘pinned’ post on Social Media, or signs in the window of your business location.

6 Useful Actions for Moving a Small Business Forward During COVID-19

Adapt your products and services to today’s needs. Rethink how your products can be used for some of the unusual situations we are facing. In our area, local restaurants that were closed started using their food supplies to make and deliver lunches to local hospital staff.
If face-to-face has been your modus operandi, think about going online to deliver services and products in different ways. Time to start trying out some of the automation and service applications you have avoided. Look into online apps like Zoom or other tele-conferencing platforms for online face-to-face. Try a free Zoom membership to see if it is for you or not.
Rethink your Unique Value Proposition. With so many sudden disruptions and changes, it seems like nothing is the same. Things may never go back to the way they were. Does your current UVP fit well with the new marketplace?
Take a fresh look at your company strategies. If they are pretty short-term in nature, begin thinking more about long term strategies to maintain your growth plans.
Invest in yourself. Yes, funding may be tight right now, but that doesn’t mean that you should not invest in keeping your company and personal knowledge and skills sharp. Think about what you need to adapt to this new normal and find some assistance.
Add revenue channels to your business. If you went into this latest disruptive environment with only one revenue stream that has come to a screeching halt, it’s time to add additional sources of income.

We have lived through other crises, we can get through this one too

You are all strong, persistent and focused small business owners. Additionally, many of you battled through economic changes following the 9/11 bombings in New York City. You found ways to remain viable throughout the 2008-09 Recession that felt like it would never end. You can make it through COVID-19 too, using your knowledge, skills and creativity.

All of these disruptive and chaotic situations have something in common for small businesses: we all need to find new ways to do what we were doing before. Make strong long term strategies and wise choices. If we can be of any help, Maurer Consulting Group remains available with advising and coaching services to help you maintain your businesses and focus on growth.