- June 11, 2021
- by Tim Kelly
If you’re one of the many small businesses forced to shut down temporarily when the pandemic hit, things may be looking up for you.
Vaccines are on the rise, and cases are down, which means people will be coming out of their homes and looking for that in-store experience they’ve craved for over a year.
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With cities all over the country lifting Covid-19 restrictions, now is the time to get your small business back in action. Though we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, now isn’t the time to throw caution to the wind. It’s just as important as ever to maintain cleaning and social distance policies.
Health is not the only thing you need to consider when reopening your business. As your employees physically come back, you should make sure they’re returning to a good work environment. It’s also important to consider how you will manage your finances going forward in an uncertain economy.
Here are some of the ways you can return to full operations better than ever before.
Focus on Customer Safety
When you reopen your doors to the public, it’s crucial that they feel safe enough to walk in. A few simple ways to do this are:
- Put down floor marks to encourage social distancing
- Provide easily accessible hand sanitizer
- Frequently wipe down surfaces and knobs
- Have employees retrieve items for customers to ensure they are wiped down before and after they touch a customer’s hands.
Promote the cleanliness of your storefront through your social media or signs on your windows to encourage health-conscious customers to come in. You’ll be surprised at how many people appreciate your efforts.
It never hurts to prioritize safety.
Accommodate Your Employees
Everyone has changed during the pandemic, and it’s important that you recognize your employee’s needs may be different than before.
- Keep an open line of communication between you and your team. Assure them that you are there to help them with the transition back to work.
- Encourage them to help the business meet its goals by rewarding them when they do well.
- Keep your team connected. You can do this by hosting semi-regular company social events or by establishing a group message. The more your employees feel like a part of your family, the more eager they will be to see the business thrive.
Prepare Your Finances for the Future
Re-opening your doors isn’t easy, especially on your business account. It’s important to be realistic about what you need to keep your business afloat and what you can afford. If there’s a gap between the two, you may need to consider financing options:
- Find out early if you need a small business loan to keep you going until foot traffic picks up. Companies such as iCapital Funding offer no-collateral loans that are simple to apply for and easy to get, regardless of your credit.
- Re-establish your budget. Sticking to your budget is pivotal for maintaining and growing your business. Make accommodations to ensure you stay within that budget.
- Plan your revenue goals. While you may have already established goals, the pandemic has taught us how quickly everything can change. Make sure you update your plans to adapt to any future.
Adapt and Thrive
Covid-19 is taking its toll on businesses all across the world, but the future is bright. We’ve learned what the essential things in life are: community, resilience, and compassion. What better example of these values is there than a small business?
By looking forward and fortifying yourself with your core business values and experience, you can prepare your team for a successful business season.
