9 things you should start doing today to prepare your business for tomorrow

The scope of the current health crisis changes on a daily basis. Countries around the world are reacting differently to the crisis to protect their people and their economy.

Countries such as Italy, Spain, South Korea, France, New Zealand, Portugal, India, and the Philippines have initiated country-wide lockdowns while others like the USA, Germany, Austria, China, Japan and South Africa have opted to set part of the country in local quarantine zones. Authorities in Sweden have opted for a different policy response. Instead of lockdowns, they have put forward recommendations for the public to follow.

Regardless of the policy response, all these countries have one thing in common. Their economies are not operating as normal and it is unlikely that normality will resume in the foreseeable future. The only thing that we can be certain of is that Covid-19 will be defeated – we simply don’t know when. However all businesses, regardless of size, industry or sector continue to be affected by the unprecedented impact of the new policies.

The latest unemployment statistics and numbers of businesses that are closing their doors for good are on a steep increase. However, it is not too late to change that trend. Not all businesses will survive the coming weeks and months but there is a lot we can do to save as many as possible!

?Focus on serving your customers through a digital first strategy!

Be visible on social media and meet your customers where they are.

This goes without saying but it applies now more than ever:

If your business is not present on social media it basically does not exist.

No matter what kind of business you are in, focusing on your digital presence should be key and having a website is simply not enough!

If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to create an account for your business on YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn or Facebook, depending on where your customer base is.

You could post tutorials (how to videos), product reviews, industry news, best practices and tips that help you build your brand and grow your customer base. The important question to keep in mind is: What value am I as a business providing?

This will help you build a stronger brand and to share your expertise with your customers and network. It will also help you to have a running start once this crisis ends and we return back to normality or its new form.

 You could even use platforms such as Vimeo, which allows you to post videos and your customers can pay a little fee to watch them. These videos could be anything from online courses, to gardening tips – anything for which your customers would usually pay for. 

• For example, a HR professional could post about how to conduct an interview or how to best prepare for one.
• A car dealer could create a video on how to negotiate prices when buying a car and what to watch out for when buying a car.
• A business consultant could create videos about the latest market trends and developments, forecasts and ideas on how to prepare your business for challenging times (both now and once things return to ‘normal’).
• A retail store could create videos on optimal product placements in store to maximise profit per square meter, how to attract new customers or on how to run loyalty programs for new customers.
• A fitness coach can post workout videos that are tailored to a certain sport etc. 

Having a website is the bare minimum a business should have, but it should not be the only place to consider when promoting services or selling items. Other alternatives should also include Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Amazon, Twitter, Pinterest, TikTok or Instagram depending on where your target audience is spending their time. You will probably need to test a few different ones to see what works best with your target group.

9 Tips on how to:

1. Communicate proactively
2. Use Social media
3. Organise webinars
4. Start using live stream on social media
5. Apply discount codes
6. Look into free shipping
7. Forget about 9 to 5
8. Collaborate with other businesses and form new partnerships
9. Start a podcast

Grow your Business while customers are staying at home

The 9 tips below will help you and your business, no matter how much your country or region is affected, to be operational as much as possible but perhaps even grow your brand and customer base.

1. Communicate proactively

Reach out to your customers, clients, partners and colleagues proactively and regularly via social media, emails and in phone calls or via video calls.

As things are changing on a daily basis it is now more important than ever before to be as transparent as you can.

Inform them about how you are handling the Covid-19 crisis within your business and what steps you are taking to protect the health and wellbeing from your team, your facilities and of course your customers, if there is a change in opening hours, special sales, webinars, tutorials, customer service, or online release parties.

If your business is open during the same hours as before, also mention this.

If you operate a retail store notify your partners if there are any changes in logistics that they need to expect when delivering or picking up orders (assuming there is no country wide lockdown of course). All this will help you to run your business as ‘smoothly’ as possible and to build trust with your customers.

2. Use Social Media

Try selling/promoting your products and services both on your own website but don’t forget to post them also on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Amazon, Twitter, Pinterest, TikTok or Instagram depending on where your target audience is spending their time.

These platforms can help you to find new customers and present your products and services to a much wider base.

3. Organise webinars

Almost all trade shows have been cancelled due to the current health and safety risks so why not invite your customers to a webinar?

You could choose to hold these public (everyone can tune in) or private (invitation only). All you need is basically your smartphone and a decent internet connection and you’re up and running.

ZOOM, Skype, Google Hangouts, Instagram Live, Facebook Live, or Twitter could be perfect to hold such events depending on where your customers are at and what kind of event you are planning.

You could even record your webinars and repost them after the event to your other social media accounts. This would allow customers who might have missed the event to catch up or to watch it again later.

In order to have as many people attend your webinars as possible it is important to send out invitations ahead of time and create awareness of the event on all your social media platforms, including your homepage.

4. Start using Live Streams on social media

Show your customers the latest trends, what you have been working on, promote a new item or service, answer questions, or share product reviews.

All this could be done spontaneously.

You could also record your live streams and just like the webinars post them later to all your social media platforms.

5. Apply Discount code

You could use discount codes to generate cash flow even if you are only selling services!

If you are operating a GYM or your business is based on a membership subscription, then offer your customers a large discount if they subscribe with you already now and starting once the restrictions are over.

Or you could create a discount code for the first customers who join you at your online events and an exclusive offer for everyone who tunes in.

All this will help you to generate some cash flow during a time that normal sales might be lower compared to usual.

6. Look into Free shipping

Offering free shipping for all purchases from your web shop will create incentives for customers to make a purchase today and help to clear your inventory at the same time as it is generating cash flow.

7. Forget about 9 to 5!

People are staying at home all day, not only between 9 to 5, and don’t forget about the weekends!

Keep in mind that people are bored at home and are looking for ways to keep entertained and busy. This means that your customers will be spending more time than usual online and on your website and social media. Be prepared for that and be prepared to reply to customer requests outside of your normal business hours now more than ever before.

8. Collaborate with other businesses and form new partnerships

Work with other businesses and offer them a commission if they direct customers towards you.

This could be via affiliate programs with large online retailers such as Amazon or with other local businesses.

Team up and help each other. We are all in the same boat.

9. Start a podcast

Now could be a great time to start a podcast!

The important thing to keep in mind is to be very clear from the beginning on what topic you want to discuss within your podcast series.

Find your niche and stick to it!

Don’t try to sell, your customers will know immediately and you will lose their attention. Instead try to solve their problems or educate them. This will help to build your brand and if you are interesting enough people will want to work with you.

On a different note.

If your working hours have been cut but you still earn enough to pay the bills perhaps now could be a great opportunity for you to start that business you are always thinking about!

We know that times are tough, but we also know that this time will pass and that things will get better again.

Here are a few examples of companies that were founded in 2007-2010 during the financial crisis – who knows perhaps your idea will start the next big trend!

• Tumblr 2007
• Groupon 2008
• WhatsApp 2009
• Airbnb 2008
• Spotify 2008
• Uber 2009
• Slack 2009
• Instagram 2010
• Pinterest 2010