COVID19 and Your Business
It’s been a long week for myself and my clients. There’s been a sudden influx of information, panic and encouragement for self isolation in the past 72 hours. Panic shopping and messy social media dramatics seem to be everywhere. Many business strategies have also appeared with loads of folks publishing their special sanitary practices, or altering their business models to adapt to these sudden changes.
At this point, it seems that things will be continuing to evolve as borders shut down, supplies become scarce and our customers change up their lifestyles and purchasing habits to ensure the safety of our communities.
So where does that leave us, the business owners?
I’ve fielded many upset and anxious calls this week from folks in the culinary industry, and even those outside it. I’ve drafted more emergency messaging than I can keep track of in the past few days. While I don’t have all the answers in this time of uncertainty, I’ll be doing my best to share legitimate and relevant pieces, resources and articles to my groups and social media channels. This post today will also be discussed on CBC’s All in a Day tomorrow at 3:15 pm if you’d like to tune in.
In the meantime, let’s have a look at what’s out there so far.
The Sanitary Policy / Special COVID19 Business Announcement: By now, absolutely everyone has an overflowing inbox and saturated social media feed about businesses’ adaptive policies and changes due to COVID19. If you haven’t drafted anything for your business yet, I suggest you give it some thought and try to put something together for your clients. Outline what is being done to ensure cleanliness and guest safety, and how you are supporting your staff for their health and finances. This Restaurants Canada article even includes a template if you don’t know where to start. When drafting your policy, stick to the facts, talk about what you are doing in real time, and don’t attempt to manipulate people's fear for profit like a certain app did a few days ago with sending out messaging about all the benefits of using them instead of going into a business physically. (They issued an immediate retraction after public outcry.)
To those who are irritated by this influx of information- as a friend of mine was moaning about to me yesterday- it’s understandable, but please show compassion and mercy. Small business owners are running scared by all of this sudden change and are doing their best to provide reassurance to guests and staff and protect their livelihoods.
Rising to the Challenge: Businesses are tackling this in various ways. Some are choosing to close for 2-3 weeks to ensure guest and staff safety, and this is a great move. If you choose to do so, please consider donating your perishables to your local food banks, or an organization that supports our most vulnerable citizens. You may also be covered by your insurance for business interruption. Check with your provider and start your paperwork immediately, as the backlog in claims will most certainly make for longer disbursement times in the future.
What’s more, our government is also talking about providing breaks soon for the small business community. This link goes to an official government statement, but please note that there are no forms or direct contacts as of yet. An important tip I’m giving all clients right now is to begin a folder in your email for cancelled events, resos, caterings, etc. so when the reimbursement comes about, you’re ready to go with proof of your losses.
If you bank with BDC, they are also offering relief financing for their small business clients. You can read more here. I will update my social media channels and this piece as I find more legitimate resources for us.
Another way you can evolve is by offering a minimal contact delivery service via an app or your own delivery person. When it comes to deliveries, I personally believe that someone on your payroll is more likely to adhere to your standards and be a better brand representative and you won’t get nailed with high fees on the delivery apps. On the flipside, delivery apps sometimes have better reach and more users, and you can control ordering and capacity in a more streamlined and efficient manner. The choice is yours- you know your business better than anyone and what your customers needs are. Meet them.
If you choose to stay open, good practices are having all staff wearing gloves, providing hand sanitizer to guests and staff, implementing hourly sanitation policies, keeping condiments, glasses and cutlery off of tables until guests are seated, and seating guests at “every other” table to ensure minimal contact. Ensure that staff are supported and encouraged to stay home if they are feeling nervous or sick without penalty, and that they are compensated for days lost. Losing fantastic long term staff will cost you loads more in the long run. Support your team financially and emotionally in any way you can.
Protect Your Brain: There’s a lot of sleepless nights out there for everyone right now, not just small business owners. Do your best to protect yourself. Try not to feed into hysteria, limit news exposure and social media time (it’s a real garbage fire these days) and take time for yourself, COVID19 free. I personally find painting, board games or cards with my partner and paper books a calming and soothing activity, but find your method that doesn’t involve a screen.
Lean on your fellow entrepreneurs. I’ve mentioned this before I’m sure, but my Grandfather is a veteran of the Korean war. He enjoys the legion as he can be with others who have experienced what he has, and it is a comfort to him. Now entrepreneurship is quite different from serving in a war but the sentiment is still valid and effective. Chat and comfort your fellow small business owners, and share relevant links, strategies and resources. We’re all in this together. Team up and share supplies. Go on virtual coffee dates and really lean on and support one another. We’ll all be better off for it.
That’s all I have for now, I promise to stay vigilant and update all of you as more relevant information comes along. I’ll do my best to only share carefully curated stuff for all of us.
Stay safe and take care of each other out there. Things are scary this week, but change usually is. Let’s be fluid and open to change in our dealings and most important of all, let’s support our staff, clients and communities.
Xo Mandi