Six Things To Do Now to Help Your Business Post-Coronavirus
With COVID-19 bringing much of our daily life to a standstill, many businesses are experiencing a major lull. Although not ideal, this slower pace does give you the chance to devote some time to things that you can’t always address. Here are some business tools, best practices, and to-do’s to work through so your organization will be prepared to hit the ground running once we’re on the other side of this pandemic.
Examine Your Digital Security
Digital security should be a priority for any business, but it sometimes gets pushed aside in the day-to-day hustle and bustle. Now is a great opportunity to evaluate your security practices and ensure your business is protected. A few simple actions you can take include:
resetting your passwords
implementing a password manager like LastPass or Dashlane
updating your credentials
enabling two-factor authentication
documenting these changes as well as company security best practices
Check Your Online Listings
When was the last time you looked at your online listings? Review all of the listing sites you use – Google Maps/Google My Business, Facebook, Yelp, Angie’s List, etc. – and update any inaccuracies. Most importantly, go on what we like to call “NAP Patrol.” NAP stands for Name, Address, and Phone, a.k.a. the three elements that you need to be certain are accurate on all of your listings. This is also a good time to develop a cohesive message that you can share on all of your platforms once coronavirus has eased up.
Audit Your Business Expenses
Use this extra time to comb through your expenses and find out where you can create some margin. In particular, look for recurring/monthly payments for things you may not be using anymore and cancel them. You may be surprised what you’re still paying for.
Upgrade Your Tech
With communication happening almost exclusively online, it’s never been more important to ensure that all your technology works efficiently. Now is a great time to consider if your methods of communication, business management software, and online organization systems are working well for your business or if they could be improved.
Find New Leads
Just because business has slowed doesn’t mean you can’t find new leads for the post-coronavirus world. Reach out to potential clients and let them know you’d like to discuss working together once everything calms down. Be aware that many people are just focused on staying afloat, and may not be interested in thinking that far ahead. That being said, it can be worthwhile to let them know you’d like to reach back out when things go back to normal. Then follow up with them in the future! If you run a consumer-based business like a restaurant or retail store, consider offering gift cards at a discount for customers to use once social distancing is a thing of the past.
Rest
It’s hard to let go and relax in times of uncertainty, but taking time to rest is vital for your health and the health of your business. Feeding your anxiety won’t help your organization. Take a deep breath, and use this extra time for restoration. You’ll be more centered, focused, and ready for when things pick back up again.
