How To Keep Your Business Relevant During Covid-19

Hi, how are you today?

There’s no question that we are living in a surreal and scary time, don’t you agree? The COVID-19 virus went from being a distant headline to an overwhelming reality. In some countriesthe ‘first wave’ is over, but in other countries around the world the number of cases is increasing exponentially and in a short time, we’ve gone from business as usual to many people of the world’s population working from home and trying to make a living online.

For business owners around the world, the element of uncertainty looms large. Governments take differen measures to ‘flatten the curve’. Sometimes they are advising non-essential businesses to close to protect employees and the public. If your business is going to survive, it will be because you find a way to keep your products and services relevant to the people in your target audience, mainly by going online.

The answer for most businesses is going to require creative thinking. Here are some tips to help you find your relevance and maintain your audience during the global crisis.

Start with Your Customers 

In a time of uncertainty, it’s always a good idea to let your customers lead the way. Ask yourself what your customers need from you right now – and what they’ll need from you a month from now. Better yet: ask your customers what they need.

While there’s certainly a lot of stress involved in running any business during a pandemic, it’s important to remember that we have resources that are still available to us even if our offices and stores are closed. We have technology to help us keep in touch with our audiences. That’s not a small thing. We all can make moeny online if we are creative.

Your customers may need you to deliver services in a new way. They may need your services or products to adapt to their current situation. You won’t know unless you ask.

Embrace Creativity to Retain Your Customers

Once you know what your audience wants, it’s time to figure out how to adapt your business to provide it. The answer may be an obvious one. For example, many restaurants have transformed into takeout and delivery services. Diners may not be able to come in and sit down, but people still want to support their favorite eateries.

Here are some other suggestions that may inspire you:

• Fitness or yoga trainers can do Skype or streaming classes. A great example comes from the martial arts community, where schools have been agile at switching to virtual classrooms to keep their students engaged.
• Consultants, including business coaches, personal coaches, lawyers, and financial consultants, offer Skype, Zoom or Teams sessions in lieu of face-to-face sessions.
• Some businesses (think electricians and plumbers) may be able to keep working with proper protective gear, including masks and gloves.

Keep in mind that you don’t need to figure everything out on your own. There’s help available. Anyway, you really have to make sure you take the right decision with the help from the right people. People you can trust.

If I can help in any way, please do not hesitate to call me on Skype on tony.de.bree or email me here.