Conducting business during the CV pandemic (COVID-19) will not be business as usual (obviously), but it is not only possible it’s doable! However given the right planning, preparation utilizing technology, and with measured and thoughtful precautions in place, business can proceed forward (and it must!). Most of what we’re presenting below is very basic, yet sometimes we need to revisit some of those basic principles before strategically planning ahead. Many, many business we initially interacted with were not as “up to date” on virtual working conditions nor did they have the appropriate plans in place to work through business interruptions like this current situation. Please understand, we’re not holding ourselves as experts in the coronavirus, however we do have experience and expertise in business operations, planning and optimization. Conducting business during the CV pandemic is possible! Let’s take a brief look at a few basic business interruption recommendations and precautions that might be helpful to you or someone else you may know who needs some guidance:
BUSINESS OPERATIONS:
- Business Interruption Plan – The first point of defense and offence is having a Business Interruption Plan (BIP). If you haven’t established and implemented a BIP by now…do so now (we can help you with this). This plan will not only be helpful now, but it will serve you well with ANY business interruption that may come along in the future including: natural disasters/ physical office location interruptions etc. (We include a Business Interruption Plan in our M.A.P. solution). BIP become the command and control center for managing and operating your business during a business interruption. If you don’t have a BIP in place, hopefully the following recommendations will provide some initial guidance and food for thought.
- Work Remotely – Minimize the staff necessary to be on your site location. For most service providers, online access to office/client work-product should have already been established through online/cloud access to all apps/data/communication. If that has been implemented, then those not required to be “on-site” should work remotely. For those who must remain on-site (for production purposes and tech. support), make sure to implement protective measures to keep others as safe as possible from infection.
- Daily Debriefs – Morning and evening business debriefs hosted by management should focus on essential business operations such as: client service & communication/ supply-chain/service providers/ contracted services status etc. Also, make sure the business leader (President/CEO/Managing Partner etc.) personally hosts a daily debrief with all staff. Staff needs to see/hear status and direction from the person in charge. This can be easily accomplished via ZOOM or other online meeting software etc.
- Client Communication – All staff involved in client interaction and work-product responsibilities should coordinate, prioritize and communicate with each designated client. The objective should be to keep clients informed on the status of work production that directly affects them. Clients NEED to hear from their service providers (just as we would like to hear from our contracted service providers) in situations like this. However this should be conducted on a more regular basis than is normally customary! Just a simple text/ email/ video-call/ direct phone call letting clients know you’re thinking of them, and providing them with updates regarding their work-product is very meaningful to them. DO NOT underestimate this! Over the years this has been the #1 complaint of clients with their prior service providers. This simple task can be easily accomplished via the technology tools we have at our fingertips today.
- Supply Chain & Service Provider Communication – Management should already have business interruption measures in place (via the Business Interruption Plan), but in case they don’t, calls must take place so that your organization’s staff can be prepared to work with any disruptions that may impact their client’s work product. Once the status and expectations with suppliers/service providers is understood, then any material information that could affect client work-product, should be communicated to the responsible staff and then directly to clients.
- Strategic Planning – Use business interruption situations to better understand and address your organizational weaknesses. Then you can effectively begin to strategically plan your next objectives. Host online meetings with management AND staff to brainstorm and strategize how to best resolve current business challenges internally, and how you can help clients do the same. This is a golden opportunity to add value to existing clients and new clients. Become a valued resource to help clients resolve their problems during a business interruption. Not that you need to have all the answers, but that you become a valued “resource” to help them resolve their challenges. You can do this either by providing the solution or by introducing them to other sources that can help resolve their specific challenges or opportunities. Provide value to your clients by becoming a thought leader…a problem solver other than the work you normally provide. Again, conducting business during the CV pandemic is not only possible it is doable!
PRECAUTIONS:
- Pre-Screening – Those employees only deemed “necessary” to work on-site during this particular crisis, should be monitored daily for any possible infection as best as possible. If any of the aforementioned on-site staff are not feeling well or have been exposed to others who are ill, they should be required to work remotely…no exceptions.
- Office Location Precautions – Implement the basics…mandatory use of hand sanitizers (when available), mandatory frequent hand washing, mandatory use of disposable gloves etc. Again, only those employees deemed critical to business operational support should be working on-site.
- Employee Support & Incentives – Consider offering “Additional Paid-Sick-Time-Off” for ALL your employees. If they’re ill or get ill, then they’ll be covered by YOU…their employer! For those fortunate enough to not get ill from COVID-19, then let this “additional” paid sick-time-off be added to their vacation time. Either way, now would be the time to step-up to the plate and let your employees know you care about them and their livelihood. The additional benefit will come back to you in the form of employee retention.
We hope these basics will be of help to you or someone you know and that you can be reassured that conducting business during the CV pandemic is doable! If you would like to discuss your particular situation further please feel free to Contact Us. Be well, stay safe, and may the Lord protect us.
GMS BUSINESS CONSULTING, INC. – provides lawyers/law firms, for-profit & non-profit organizations, and business professionals with Accounting Services, Business Development Services, Business Optimization Services, and Digital Marketing Services. We help business professionals strategically manage and tactically grow their businesses more effectively and efficiently. We do NOT provide investment advice. Contact Us if you are interested in learning more about our services, and in particular about M.A.P. (our 3-phase business development & management solution), designed to help you strategically manage and tactically grow your business. We would welcome the opportunity to speak with you.
info@gmsbusinessconsulting.com
707-218-3135