Resources for Adapting and Growing Your Business During the Pandemic

Submitted By Elena Stewart, info@elenastewart.com

As a small business owner, you’ve probably been struggling with the effects of the pandemic since the beginning, and you’re likely always evaluating what will be the next best move. Below, the Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce offers a few ways to help your employees, improve your store and adapt your business model to thrive in the new environment created by the pandemic.

Starting a New Business: When Necessity Knocks

Starting a new business requires time, patience, and planning. You may also need some freelancers to help you get your idea off the ground!

• List your skills and ask where they are most needed.

• Get clients from sites like Freelancer and Upwork.

• File your business officially with the state; this also provides some legal protections for you.

• Connect with the Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce.

Helping Your Employees

If you have been fortunate enough to retain your employees throughout the crisis, there are still many ways to support your staff as you consider reopening. These are a few things to keep in mind.

• Include a flexible sick leave policy in your work handbook.

• Make a social distancing plan for keeping employees safe in the workplace.

• Better yet, let your employees start (or continue) working from home if possible.

• If you have any remote employees, work hard on promoting a sense of belonging.

Improving Your Business

If you’ve cut back on your store hours or are still waiting to fully reopen, there are lots of things you can do now to improve your business.

• Improve your signage or displays to increase foot traffic.

• Put up signs or implement other safety measures to reassure customers.

Switching Your Approach

Even once infections rates slow down, the pandemic will probably leave a lasting impact on the ways we interact with one another. These ideas can help you keep up with the times and stay relevant.

• Take the time to redesign your website so it’s more user-friendly.

• Try to find a new angle for selling your products or services.

• Joining the Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce or other business associations can provide additional insight and inspiration for keeping your business afloat.

The pandemic has hit small business owners hard, but there’s hope. Things probably won’t ever fully return to the way they were before, but you can help keep your business going by supporting your employees, making your customers feel safe and always looking for fresh ways to do business.