Seemingly overnight, the COVID -19 pandemic has swept through the entire world disrupting the normal lives of individuals, leaving a trail of death and closure of many businesses. In the United Kingdom, the first two coronavirus cases were reported on the 29th of January 2020. Since then more than 289,000 positive cases have been confirmed and 40,000 deaths reported. The UK government has taken serious measures to save lives and slow down the spread of the virus but these measures have left serious implications on the economy.
If you own a business, you understand that reputation is everything and even now, during this pandemic, what you do for your business will make or break your brand depending on how you respond to this crisis.
Here are 6 tips on how you can manage your business through a pandemic.
1. Invest in Quality Web Design
Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, many business owners in the UK have found themselves in exceptional circumstances. During these turbulent times, investing in the digital world could prove to be the saving grace for your business.
Having a professional web design will not only give you a better first impression but will also help you keep up with the competition. According to internetretailing.net, about 38% of UK consumers purchased products online in 2019. These numbers could be higher today since many people are staying away from shops and offices in a bid to protect themselves from the coronavirus.
Most customers in the UK use their smartphones to search for products online and make purchases and this is why you need to have a mobile-friendly website that is not only functional but also enables customers to complete tasks easily on their mobile phones.
If you are looking to get your business online during these trying times but you are on a tight budget, do not worry. It is possible to get Cheap Web Design in the UK without compromising on quality. When you work with a reputable company such as Ubie, you will not need to spend thousands of Pounds to get a quality website to manage your business online. And with the easy website plans available to you, you can simply choose the most convenient plan that will help you on your journey to boosting your business online.
2. Adhere to The Current Government Directives
The UK government has set out directives to help control the Nobel coronavirus and flatten the curve. On 10th May 2020, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined the proposed phases that will be required before all the social restrictions can finally be lifted. These measures include keeping social distance whenever you go out and facilitating all employees who can work from home to do so.
As a business owner who cares about the health and safety of his employees, it is very important to comply with all the government regulations to the letter to avoid finding yourself in the media spotlight for a bad reason. Establish clear remote work policies and train your employees on how to cope during a crisis and still keep production levels high.
3. Accept the Shift and Move with It
Even if the coronavirus has not affected your brick and mortar business yet, it will in the future as the drastic effect on the economy continues to weigh heavily on individual businesses. If your business is not online yet, this is the perfect time to hop on board. The coronavirus has encouraged many shoppers to opt for the safer method of ordering online and therefore as a business owner, accept the shift and start moving online to avoid losing out on business as the pandemic rages on.
4. Look After Your Staff
Your employees play a key role in the management of your business. Your staff helped you succeed before the onset of the coronavirus and if you take care of them, they will help you go through it and come out successfully on the other side. While there are tough decisions that need to be made, remember to act with the utmost sensitivity. Should you be required to lay off employees be sure to involve them in the decision-making process lest they sue you for wrongful dismissal.
5. Make Communication an Important Priority
Clear communication and transparency in the business are very important during a pandemic. Communicate clearly to your business partners and employees and let them in on how you intend to run the business during the pandemic. Avoid miscommunication and fake news by having a trustworthy source to provide all the information.
6. Embrace Virtual Cultural Activities to Keep Your Employees Connected
Keep your employees connected even as they work from home. Virtual coffee talks, gaming, and happy hour can help employees stay connected and this can boost productivity. In England, it’s now possible to meet outside in groups of six provided you keep social distance and you can take advantage of this to have small meetings with your employees.
