The outbreak of the coronavirus has taken the global economy by storm. Many businesses have found themselves in a period of volatility and uncertainty with long-term consequences that are hard to assess and evaluate. Whilst the government is doing everything they can to ease the uncertainty, a lack of concrete information has led many businesses to dial back for the time being.
Given how we have had time to come to terms with the ‘new normal’, there are ways for businesses to adapt and prepare themselves for new customer behaviour.
Each industry and business niche has its own set of unique challenges which makes it impossible to apply a one-size-fits-all strategy to cope with the effects of COVID-19. However, there are some common measures that businesses from all sectors can take to develop a crisis response model that’s foolproof and reliable.
Let’s take a closer look at these measures!
1. Build a Crisis Management Team
Create a team of key-decision makers that’s not just limited to the company’s leadership. Include members from employee representatives, HR, operations, corporate functions and communications. This should be a dedicated team that is empowered to make decisions and execute them quickly as per the changes in the market.
2. Employee Safety and Protection
Get on top of making arrangements for employee protection and safety by implementing strict measures for hygiene. This includes allowing work from home, remote working, travel freeze and other measures that promote social distancing. Your people are your most valuable asset, so ensure that you take the necessary steps to ensure their safety.
3. Conduct Regular Reviews
Given how unpredictable the situation is, it is important to regularly review processes, as you amend and update contingency plans for your business. The circumstances are highly unprecedented and fluid so ideas that worked before may not be as effective in the current scenario. It is very likely that in the coming months, the situation will remain more or less the same. Being flexible with your business plans is your best bet.
4. Stay Updated
Set up an information mechanism that allows you to compile accurate information that’s up to date and gathered from trusted sources. Once you have the necessary information, ensure that you pass it on to the concerned business departments so that you can continue working with what you have. In addition, being updated will eliminate the risk of misinformation which can negatively impact your business decisions.
5. Response to Emergencies
Ensure that your business has the necessary means and capacity to address emergencies quickly. The response to such incidences should be structured and deliberate, free from any knee-jerk reactions. Considering that these situations will be urgent, the response shouldn’t be delayed and influenced by external factors.
6. Evaluate the Risks at Hand
Take into account the immediate risks your business is exposed to especially with regards to third-parties like human resources, supply chain, business partners, and manufacturers. Assess where your business stands and look for alternate options.
7. Be Systematic and Positive
See that you maintain a rather open, clear and transparent line of business communication with your stakeholders, clients, employees and everyone that either directly or indirectly are associated or affected by your business. This is an important step to take as it will go a long way in building a high level of confidence and trust between your company and your partners.
8. Awareness at Every Level
Ensure that your entire business both at a local and global level is aware of the development measures being taken to address and deal with a pandemic in the best possible manner. It is equally essential to readjust and review your business plans as you update your company’s strategy to deal with the crisis at hand.
To Wrap It Up
At such a time, it is important that panic, misinformation and hasty decisions must be avoided at all costs. In every period of adversity change in the market and the economy is inevitable. It brings with it a new set of risks and challenges which pave the way for new business opportunities and innovation. It also gives you the time to review your current situation and come up with remedial solutions. For instance, automatic door installation is necessary to promote personal hygiene and social distancing for businesses especially when normal work schedule resumes.
Similarly, focusing more on digitising your processes will benefit you long term. Simply put, as a company the sooner you single out the potential threats as a result of COVID-19 the better your chances of coping with it as you embrace and adopt new ways to conduct business.
Doorway Services for Business Door Installation & Repair
Once things go back to normal, you will have to survey your business building and see how you can fortify it for the safety of your employees. With automatic doors, you can promote social distancing and avoid the spread of diseases.
Doorway Services are professional automatic door installers and suppliers who can cater to bespoke business needs.
Get in touch with us today to know more!