Featured in the Derbyshire Times on Thursday 2 April 2020
Cornonavirus lockdown has given many of us thinking time and the opportunity to catch up on things that we’ve been putting off – like updating a website blog!
I submitted this blog to the Derbyshire Times just before lockdown happened and it was published last week. Here’s the full version.
…I don’t know about you, but I am in state of shock. However, I take comfort from the fact that we are all in this together, and we WILL get through it.
Like every other business owner (with the exception of toilet roll and hand sanitiser manufacturers) around the UK right now, I am concerned about the survival of my business. But, I am optimistic given my experience and learning over the nine years I have run a business.
I established my business in 2011 during a recession. A bit daft you may think, but I had nothing to lose. Nine months before establishing my business I worked for a national firm that went bust three months into my maternity leave. I had a three year old and a newborn baby and needed a job. However, I couldn’t find one that would pay enough to cover the full time nursery fees for two children and leave me with some money to buy things like food, heating, etc. What could I lose by establishing my own PR company? Nothing to be honest. I had a laptop, a phone and a kitchen table and for the first 18 months that was all I needed, and the business grew.
Over the years I have invested in IT, premises, people, software, etc. However, I know from past experience, I can operate more leanly if needed.
I am viewing the lockdown period as an opportunity for my business. For many small business owners like myself you probably spend the majority of your time working IN your business. I am going to use the lockdown as an opportunity to work ON my business. That means finally getting the new website launched (keep an eye out for that), rebranding the business, reviewing suppliers, cleaning up the cloud and shopping around for better deals.
Could you do this? Are you a therapist who advocates self care but neglects yourself? Maybe you’re a health professional who urges patients to eat well but is so busy, often forgets to eat themselves?
During this period, however, I will not be quiet and neither should any other business. Now is the time to market your business – engage in those social media platforms that you established years ago and probably haven’t used since because you’ve been too busy. Let people know what you do so that when the UK re-opens for business, you are ready to hit the ground running.
Over the next few weeks and months, turn altruism into a marketing opportunity. Hats off to the tattoo studio in Chesterfield Pierce of Art and the Smithy Pond pub in Wingerworth that have given away their spare hand sanitiser for free to vulnerable people. Well done Iceland for taking notice of social media appeals and being the first to allow only elderly and vulnerable people to shop in their stores between 8am – 9am each day. Social media is full of acts of kindness from businesses and, I for one, will remember them when this crisis is over.
My business is in a fortunate position that I and all my team can work from home with no disruption to service. Many businesses aren’t in that position. If you have a shop, pub or restaurant think about whether you could deliver your products or food to people. Northern Tea Merchants is using its vans to offer free delivery of tea and coffee orders to homes and businesses in the borough of Chesterfield. While Santo’s Higham Farm Hotel and The Grouse Inn at Froggatt Edge are two of the many businesses taking advantage of the government’s announcement that pubs and restaurants can provide takeaways without a planning application. If you’re a personal trainer, can you deliver your classes using video conferencing technology like the amazing Lucy Shakespeare PT?
While we are being advised to socially distance ourselves and work from home, start thinking beyond the crisis and consider announcing a special offer now which people can take advantage off once the lock down is lifted to get customers through your door ASAP.
But, above all, let’s not forget our friends, neighbours, elderly and vulnerable people. Look after each other, wash your hands and stop bulk buying bog roll!
Stay inside and stay safe everyone.
Anna
