5 Ways Local Businesses Can Adapt Amidst COVID-19

Businesses around the world are feeling the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, perhaps none more than local businesses.

Neighborhood businesses rely on their local communities and their ongoing patronage to keep operations running, especially establishments like restaurants, gyms, and those that offer personal services. With swelling uncertainty, many local businesses are scrambling to keep their doors open by whatever means possible without compromising safety and customer trust.

For some businesses, there is no wiggle room to change operations based on the business structure or perhaps even supply chains being curtailed. However, many local brands are adapting and/or taking actions to help see them through. Our hope is that your business may be able to make one (or several) of these ideas work for you.

*It must be said that this article is being published in the third week of March 2020. Please abide by the latest safety steps being outlined by the CDC as well as federal and local governments to keep yourself, your brand, and your customers safe.

1. Delivery and Curbside Pickup

At this time, nearly all food and dining establishments (in California) have been told to cease any in-house dining options, but pickup and delivery are still permitted. If your establishment has not offered these services in the past, now may be the time to add them.

Make sure that your ability to provide curbside pickup and/or delivery is front and center on your website, social profiles, phone messaging, as well as local listings such as Google My Business.

To help keep costs in check, consider offering delivery at cost and pickup orders at a discount. While some may prefer to order out during these times, others may be relying on these services as grocery store stock remains limited. Restructuring your business model as much as possible to match peoples’ current living situations, wants, and needs shows that not only that you are still in business but also that you are adapting the same way the community at large is adapting.

*Note – Google reviews and approves all business profile changes on Google My Business profiles and is prioritizing based on industry. If your organization is not based in the medical industry – changes may take longer to reflect on your GMB profile.

2. Live Video and Video Conferencing

This crisis has brought to light just how many people work in the gig economy. These professionals are being hit especially hard. Event professionals, entertainers, dance teachers, personal trainers, even business consultants are feeling the pressure of having to adapt to a “hands-off’ approach with their regular clientele. These professionals are finding some relief by leveraging live video and video conferencing to connect and keep cash flow moving. Consider offering video-based consultations one-on-one or producing live video with a donation or even a Patreon subscription option.

Leveraging video technology can serve functions far beyond the gig economy group.

These are useful tools to help keep teams connected as well. But if there is no other option, the show must go on. So, if your vocation takes face-to-face time, consider breaking out your phone and connecting live via video.

3. Discount Offers for Future Redemption

While local businesses need to consider revenues for right now, some are doing so while still looking to the future. Another strategy that some have taken to is using this “downtime” to offer packages or private consults at a discount that are redeemable in the future.

One great example is Escape Factor in Chicago. They offer a variety of escape room experiences. As a preemptive measure, the owners have closed their doors to keep their employees and customers protected. However, in the interim, discounted escape room passes are being offered, which can be redeemed upon reopening.

This approach also has the added benefit of keeping opportunities in the pipeline that both you and your customers can look forward to as things calm down. It’s not an ideal situation, but this is just one way a local business is still pushing forward into the future while keeping revenue coming in now.

4. Cloud-Based Tools for Remote Working

Working remotely has been a huge shift for many local businesses that have the ability to make this a reality. For office-based professionals that are used to sharing docs, spreadsheets, and presentations via email, now may be the time to embrace the cloud to keep productivity high.

Google’s G Suite has a wide range of apps to make the sharing of information seamless and fairly simple to help keep your teams on the same page. While this is only one of many cloud-based tools we use on a daily basis, if your teams are working remote for the first time, consider giving G Suite a try to keep things organized, productive, and simple—for you and your clients.

5. Public Statements About Business Operations

Finally, if you have not made some sort of public recognition surrounding COVID-19 and how your brand is addressing it, now is the time. Remember to let your local community know that you have their best interests at heart and that you are adapting to fit their needs. Acknowledge our current environment and share your plans for moving forward. This does not need to be as formal as a press release, but while everyone is unsure whose doors are still open and whose are not, you want to be crystal clear about your operational status. Make sure this messaging is prominent everywhere possible.

Reach Out To Us for Guidance and Help

National Positions completely understands the uneasiness of the current climate. We also understand that for the good of our local (and national) economies our operations need to adapt. We welcome any questions to Marketing@NationalPositions.com, and if we can offer any ideas to help your business through these times we are happy to do so.

Think of this as an open forum for advice from your local neighborhood National Positions team. We have our own stockpile of eBooks, articles, and personal insights that we can send your way to help during these uncertain times. Please know that we are happy to provide any insights we can if it will help your business stay healthy and productive.

Wishing you all the best—stay safe!