ADOPTING YOURSELF FOR THE “NEW NORMAL”

When the news is mostly #negative, it’s easy to forget there might be silver linings for small businesses in B.C. during #COVID-19. Depending on your #industry, there could be some #opportunities worth exploring—not only in the short-term as you #restart #operations, but also in anticipation of a longer-lasting “new normal.” Here are five to consider:

Focus on Local

COVID-19 is an unmissable opportunity to turn casual local customers into #lifelong ones. We are all spending more time in our #communities and #neighbourhoods, and many people are realizing just how #important local #businesses are to communities and #cities. Now’s the time to connect with them.

Let local people know you are open for business. Put in place a buy local #marketing #campaign or #contribute to other #organizations in your community that are working together to make a difference. Take the time to contribute in a #meaningful way, and your community will #return the #favour.

Improve Your Website

While #Amazon has seen sales go through the roof during COVID-19, you don’t need to be an #ecommerce giant to take advantage of the upsurge in online shopping. 

Even if your business #model isn’t suited to online sales, this could the perfect time to make your website better, including:

• Reviewing your #content to ensure it reflects changing needs
• Updating your website to let people know about changes to your business due to COVID-19
• Posting details of your COVID-19 Safety Plan
• Setting up an email newsletter to keep in touch with customers
• Ensuring your site is #optimized for search so people can find you #online

Gain a Competitive Advantage

Many consumers are judging businesses—large and small—by how they #respond to this #crisis.

Consider how you can stand out, including:

• Becoming an #active part of your #local community
• #Effectively #communicating your #Safety #Plan
• Making your #customers feel safe
• Making it easy to buy your #services or #products
• #Delivering #excellent customer service

Make Your Business More Efficient

Almost overnight, businesses have had to do everything from launch online services to #adapt to a #remote-only #workforce. As the B.C. economy starts to carefully open up, it’s a chance to take a step back, reflect on what has changed, and look for ways to permanently #improve aspects of your business operations.

For example, can your takeout service be more seamlessly integrated into your business permanently? Could adopting remote working after COVID-19 save you money on #office space? What tools have you found that could help you create efficiencies and be more productive, such as online communication and #project #management tools, e-commerce platforms, and appointment-booking services?

Capitalize on New Ideas

There are many examples of businesses pivoting during COVID-19 because they had to. Now is a good time to look to the #future for #long-term business opportunities in the “new normal.” Start by considering these three questions:

1. What new problems do people face?
2. What new wants and needs do they have?
3. How can your business solve these problems and meet these needs?

Start by focusing on your existing target market and think about how their needs and #buying #behaviour might have changed. Opportunities are out there if you are able to spend some time looking for them.

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