Is your small business impacted by the coronavirus pandemic? Here’s information about best practices during this time that can help you with funding, employee management, and more.
This virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person through coughing, sneezing, or talking. Learn more about the coronavirus from the CDC.
If your business is seen as essential and still operating out of an office, factory, or other central location, review these steps to maintain a safe work environment.
Guidelines from the CDC cover both cleaning and disinfecting:
Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily that might be in your office’s common areas (e.g. tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, phones, tablets, touch screens, remote controls, keyboards, handles, desks, toilets, sinks).
For soft (porous) surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes, remove visible contamination if present and clean with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces. Use cleaning products recommended by the CDC that are suitable for porous surfaces.
For electronics such as cell phones, tablets, touch screens, remote controls, and keyboards, remove visible contamination if present.
Here are questions you (or your human resources employee) might face during this time:
For answers to these and other important questions, visit the Society for Human Resource Management website.
Here are resources on the SmartBiz Small Business Blog regarding PPP loans:
*Note that Paycheck Protection Program loans are subject to a funding cap that is rapidly approaching in mid-April. You should download the application here and contact your bank ASAP to apply. The applications opened up on April 3, 2020 and PPP loans will be available through June 30, 2020. If you are self-employed or an independent contractor, the PPP loan application went live on April 10, 2020, according to the SBA.
Small business owners are dealing with the fast pivot of office workers to home offices, constantly changing government regulations, and employee inability to report to work. Organizations need to know who is able to work and if responsibilities have shifted. Having personnel perform a daily self check-in, or having supervisors set goals gives organizations clarity into workforce capacity.
The SmartBiz Small Business Blog has resources you can use if you’re not accustomed to managing employees remotely: 12 Tips for Managing Remote Employees Successfully.
Supermarket shortages and need for essential supplies are just one disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Production stoppages in locations across China and other countries can affect all types of small businesses across the U.S. Being proactive is critical if faced with shortages. Investment and decisions should be made swiftly. Review this fact sheet for additional strategies: Managing Supply Chain Risk and Disruption.
As businesses face losses due to COVID-19, insurance claims will likely increase. Whether these claims are covered depends on several factors. For businesses that have interruption insurance, recovery generally depends on factors including:
If all these conditions exist, coverage could pay out for the entire period of time it takes to restore the damaged property and put the company back in business. Check with your insurance agent or an attorney specializing in small business insurance to discuss your options.
It’s more important than ever to keep your brand front and center for current and potential customers. Best practices for marketing during this time include:
You don’t want to disappear during this time. If you can afford to invest in marketing without crunching your cash flow, look for inexpensive ways. Social media is blowing up and often the only source of news for some. If you’re customers are on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube, work on keeping a consistent content flow.
If your business is temporarily shuttered, keep up engagement with your current customers. That could mean sending out email blasts, newsletters, or posting replies on social media. Let them know you appreciate their business and look forward to coming back stronger than ever.
Finally, it’s important to stay as positive as possible. If you’re quarantined, stress levels can be high for you and your team. Here are some resources to review: