BEST PRACTICES/SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
TIPS TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES IN
TODAY’S TUMULTUOUS WORLD
42 TCBusiness.com
President, Treasure Coast Black Chamber
of Commerce
Chauncelor Howell is a retired Marine
gunnery sergeant and is co-owner of
Stick & Move Cigar Enthusiasts. He also
has a master’s from Colorado Technical
University and is an Independent Scholar
enrolled in Walden University’s Doctor of
Business Administration program.
CHAUNCELOR HOWELL
Owning a small business during the COVID-19 pandemic and
civil unrest is extremely challenging for any small business owner
and its employees. Unlike technology companies, most small
businesses do not have the technical infrastructure to support
virtual business operations during a complete shutdown.
Small business owners had no idea how disruptive a pandemic
would be — literally destroying businesses and livelihoods overnight.
How does a small business survive during a deadly pandemic?
Here are five suggestions to help save small businesses.
ADJUST BUSINESS OPERATIONS
As a small business owner, you may have to pivot from your
business model. It is critical to be agile and proactive during this
time and any changes need to be swift, immediate and measured.
For example, contacting vendors and creditors, staying
connected to customers, making a digital transformation and
taking advantage of any state and federal government resources
that could help ease some financial pressure. Considering these
changes may help your business maintain during mandated closures
and help in a speedy recovery when your business returns
to full operations.
STAY CONNECTED WITH CUSTOMERS
If your business has never used online selling as a strategy,
it is time to consider making an immediate change. Start with
marketing to your mailing list. Stay connected by sending updates
on what the business is doing to remain open or how your
business is helping in the community during the outbreak. Also,
be prepared to receive orders from all over the country. The goal
is to continue meeting customer demand and in meeting that
demand, your business may pick up new customers.
CONTACT VENDORS AND CREDITORS
The one thing vendors and creditors do not want is to lose you
as a customer. Many small businesses operate financially from
month to month. When the COVID-19 outbreak hit the United
States, many small businesses closed their doors permanently. It
is important to remember that you may have signed agreements
and supplier terms that remain valid even if you close your doors.
If this is the case, contact your vendors and creditors to work out
a late payment or termination agreement.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH
If you are like most small business owners, you work long
hours. If your goal is to grow your business, then your health
must be a part of the business strategy. Yes, this sounds silly and
out of place. But consider this, if you are home sick with the flu for
three days, who is running your business?
MAKE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATIONS
To have your company remain viable during difficult times, it
is imperative to have a digital transformation strategy. Integrating
digital technology in every area of your company will bring
value to your customers and allow your company to remain
competitive. v
IT IS CRITICAL TO BE AGILE AND
PROACTIVE DURING THIS TIME AND
ANY CHANGES NEED TO BE SWIFT,
IMMEDIATE AND MEASURED.
FOR EXAMPLE, CONTACTING
VENDORS AND CREDITORS, STAYING
CONNECTED TO CUSTOMERS,
MAKING A DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
AND TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ANY
STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
RESOURCES THAT COULD HELP EASE
SOME FINANCIAL PRESSURE.
/TCBusiness.com