We hope you are continuing to stay healthy and safe. As summer approaches, the opportunity to celebrate re-openings is slowly arriving, and can be maintained if we do so carefully and consciously.
Making wise business choices in a post-COVID-19 environment around re-opening will be imperative. Before we slowly begin our re-entry into our non-remote offices over the next few weeks, we’ll need to develop plans for what will be a new normal in every aspect of our workplaces. How businesses handle this change will directly impact their ongoing survival and success.
Here are a few tips to navigate your company’s re-opening wisely:
- Before Re-opening, Re-visit Your Business Model
Is your business model still viable? Run through your financial projections and strategize on growing your way through this crisis. What new business offerings can be added or exchanged to plug holes in missing revenue streams? Consider cost-cutting if you haven’t already done so and consider eliminating the nice-to-have vs. must-have expenses. - Let Your Clients Lead the Way
Don’t limit yourself to only what you’ve delivered in the past. Talk to your clients. Find out what’s of most importance to them and deliver that exceptionally well. Stand out by asking your clients where their pain points are—then prepare to go the extra mile to help them achieve their goals. Think about all the new roles, products and actions item to-do’s that have been created as a result of COVID-19. What goods or services can you provide that could help another company solve their new requirements? Doing so will ensure that you are viewed as a true business partner rather than just another vendor on a vendor list. - Follow Safety Protocols
It will be mandatory to provide a safe environment for employees and visitors alike. Consider the cost of anyone becoming ill by not adhering to the following protocols—is it worth it? Phase 2 rules include:
- In-Person Interactions
- Six-foot distancing arrangements are the new norm. Where work cannot be done remotely, physical contact will be limited by this factor
- Where feasible, products / services should be offered online
- Wipe down doors, handles and surfaces frequently, especially between customer visits
- Know the PDN risk factors: Proximity, duration and number of contacts will help you determine the level of risk
- Daily Employee Health Monitoring
- Test the temperature of each person entering your place of business to ensure that no individual’s temperature exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit
- Appropriate face coverings will be mandatory for all employees
- Employees will need to conduct daily self-assessments using state-approved declaration forms
- Depending on the nature of the business, personal protective equipment (gloves, masks, and the like) will need to be supplied and available for all staff
- Essential Health & Safety Guidelines
- Communicate and educate employees and management on how to carry out COVID-19 mitigation plans and protocols
- Make hand sanitizer and other sanitation products available for the frequent cleaning of workspaces
- Provide state-mandated training to employees on Covid-19 mitigation actions for customer-facing activities
- Make the Most of Your Local Community Resources
County and city offices are committed to supporting the business community in a phased approach to re-opening that focuses on an individual business’s ability to assess and mitigate the spread risk of COVID-19. Avail your business of the resources built into many local and state non-profits—from economic development groups to community development financial institutions, explore those resources and ask crucial questions. Other helpful tools like financial assistance trackers and grant programs for businesses are available online for your consideration.
As always, we welcome your feedback on this unprecedented journey and look forward to hearing what works for you, your friends, and your family. We’re here for you!
- The Artizen Staffing team
written by Catrina Walker
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