How small businesses need to prepare to operate in COVID-normal times
Struggling small businesses are desperate to open their doors soon. But what preparations are needed to survive and thrive in a COVID-normal environment?
Victoria Business
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In late March many couples across the state were forced to shelve their wedding plans due to coronavirus restrictions.
Since then, weddings have been on hold but as metropolitan Melbourne moves towards reopening for business, Patricia Pallozzi’s bridal shop is getting prepared.
“We’re implementing our COVID-safe plan to make sure brides can shop safely when our doors open again,” said Ms Pallozzi, director of Raffaele Ciuca Bridal.
“We’ll have masks, sanitiser on entry and reduced appointments to allow social distancing, and staff have brushed up on their product knowledge.
“We have been offering virtual appointments and while many weddings were cancelled, the planning wasn’t. We’ve been in business for almost 65 years and experience has helped.
“The old adage of saving for a rainy day – or a rainy six months – has never been truer.”
Many small and family-owned businesses in Victoria are preparing for a potential easing of restrictions in October or beyond.
“Members have adapted to service their customer base with options like click and collect and online. This has allowed them to stay productive and engaged with customers,” Family Business Australia & New Zealand chief executive Greg Griffith said.
“But long-term generational thinking is a key reason why many family businesses are weathering the storm.
“Corporates think from quarter to quarter, but family businesses think long-term and in generations. They have a loyal workforce that supports the business and the business is there to support them.”
Staying nimble and adaptable is going to be essential in coming months, with a focus on training employees.
While some staff may remain working from home, creating a COVID-safe environment that meets strict hygiene and social distancing regulations for employees and customers is key.
“A lot of work is being done at the moment to educate workforces about the regulations, ready for when businesses open,” Mr Griffith said.
“Preparations also need to be made to let customers know when businesses are open and when people can shop and use services or dine in an establishment.
“People may be nervous about coming together, so how do businesses get people to venture through their doors?
“Creating a safe working environment and customer environment is going to be very important.”
He said businesses had to be prepared there might only be a slight relaxing of restrictions this month and be prepared to operate longer term in a COVID-normal environment.
Finding new ways to market and developing an online presence would continue to be an important survival tool.
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“Families have their name above the door and the business may have been passed down from generation to generation. Family businesses will ride this out,” he said.
“In Victoria, roughly 70 per cent of businesses are family-owned and operated and they employ 50 per cent of the workforce. So supporting family-owned businesses means supporting jobs and local communities.”