Are you a small business? Are you navigating how to remain successful during the implications of the pandemic?
Jutta Bangs, Director of the Small Business Development Center at Roane State Community College, shared insight with us on what small businesses can do and keep at the forefront of their mind throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a time of unknowns and where things are constantly changing, the most important piece of advice for small businesses is communication. Communication with customers, with prospects and with employees. Helping everyone feel as informed as possible as things are changing, is critical.
In The IT Company’s Kenneth Herring’s interview with Jutta Bangs, she listed key concepts for success during this time.
- Continue customer engagement.
- Find ways to market to your target audience in a way that relates to their needs during this time. For many businesses, their needs are changing. Evaluate your target audience and be open to changing who you are marketing your services to.
- Actively work to understand what your customers are going through specifically to their organization.
- In circumstances where you can find a solution to any issues and cater to their needs, initiate conversation on what you can provide.
- Communicate and foster relationships.
- Communicate with customers, prospects and employees on any changes. Business hours, limitations within your own organization, accommodations being made due to current circumstances, etc. Be transparent in your plans of operation.
- Strengthen digital visibility.
- Ensure that updates and changes that could affect someone trying to get in contact with your business are made available on your website.
- Take monthly expenses into consideration.
- The financial impact the pandemic will have is inevitable. Take a look at your monthly expenses and determine what is absolutely necessary for the success of your business and what can be eliminated during this time.
- Be proactive in finding resources.
- There are many resources and options available for small businesses right now. Reach out to creditors, the SBA and other small businesses to learn what can best help you financially right now.
The pandemic continues to become our new normal. With several months having passed since this began, it is easy to become complacent. But it is more important than ever to continue evaluating the way your business is adapting.