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When you first started your business, did you factor in a worldwide pandemic that could shut your company down? You and countless other corporations probably weren’t prepared for a pandemic.
It’s not too late to put strategies in place that can help you properly prepare your company for a crisis. You can also develop some skills to manage the current scenario a little better. This article will give you the basic strategies to keep your company afloat in any predicament.
Crisis Management Training and Development
Crisis management is typically training your staff on how to handle emergency situations such as fire, death, or an attack on the business. It’s also a way to prepare your staff for pandemics and potential loss of cash flow, profit, and revenue.
Most companies will only train managers and supervisors in crisis management. But it’s important to train everyone in case of an emergency. This doesn’t only include fire prevention or first aid.
Training on how to utilize virtual communication and how to create a pay stub could also be useful when staff is unable to come into the office to work.
Protect Your Employees and Customers
Safety comes first during a pandemic. If you’re an essential service provider that must stay open during a pandemic, ensure you put the necessary safety measures in place to protect everyone.
All employees must wear the correct gear. This includes gloves, masks, and overalls to reduce the spread of the virus.
Get the latest news from reputable sources to keep you updated on the crisis so you can effectively communicate with your staff.
If you have to work from home, communicate with your customers and staff regularly to maintain rapport with them. Protect your staff’s mental health by keeping them in the loop on any decisions you and your managers make.
Adapt Your Attendance Policies
There may be an instance where a member of your staff falls ill. You don’t want to risk the health and safety of your other staff members. During a pandemic, you should temporarily disband the need for doctors’ notes and let sick staff stay at home.
How to Continue Business During a Lockdown
Here are a few tips you can follow so your business can continue during a lockdown:
- Issue staff members with laptops.
- Send work via email, Google Docs, or other online platforms.
- Ensure they complete all work for the day using online task management systems.
- Communicate with your staff on various strategies to keep the business afloat.
- Share e-learning courses with your staff for development.
- What are your competitors doing? Perhaps you can learn from them.
Final Thoughts
Another way to prepare is to reserve money for a crisis. Keep a savings account that can be used to pay your company’s salary or utility bills when cash flow is running low.
How is your business surviving the COVID-19 pandemic? Let us know in the comments below. Perhaps your methods can help other business owners who are struggling.
