7-step plan for reopening

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, many businesses across the United States are still closed, but some businesses States and counties Start to publish the reopening guidelines. When and how to reopen depends on your location and industry, but you may want to consider starting a plan to ensure that you comply with safety rules and adequately resolve customer issues.

Eager to restart business?Follow these seven steps to create one Reopening plan.

1. Reassess business operations

First re-examine your business model to determine whether your current operations are feasible in the post-coronavirus world. Ask yourself these five questions:

The possibilities of your business depend on your product, industry, location, cash flow and customer needs.You may need to adjust your business model or rewrite your business plan To satisfy customers and comply with new regulations.

For example, if you run a restaurant, you may need to change the seating layout or open a courier window for delivery or pickup. If you own a dental clinic, you may be forced to cancel the standard waiting room or reduce the number of front desk staff.

The possibility of reimagining your business is essential to developing a viable reopening plan.

2. Prioritize health and safety

When reopening, the health and safety of your employees and customers should be your primary goal.That starts with compliance CDC Guidelines As well as local health and safety regulations, commercial lawyers also own Ryan Reiffert Law Firm, A boutique commercial and corporate law firm in San Antonio, Texas. “If they mandate a sign, post it; if they mandate a mask, wear a mask.” He added that ignoring these regulations puts your business at risk of legal disputes.

However, it’s important to consider your state, county, and local regulations as the starting point for safety measures, Reiffert said; take additional precautions—such as installing plexiglass breathing barriers, using air purifiers, or rescheduling your The layout of the store or office to accommodate the six-foot distance-is crucial.

3. Develop training and communication plans for employees

Make sure your employee Learn about the latest new policies and regulations before reopening.Work with your human resources director and commercial lawyer to develop a guide detailing new safety and health procedures, job responsibilities or changes to customer service strategies, and Update the policy on sick leave, Healthcare and working from home.

The company’s founder, Jessica Lambrecht, said it’s important to allow time to talk to employees before reopening. Rise of the journey, A company that provides organizations with strategic recommendations for enterprises. She added, please make sure to understand the new policy in detail, guide employees to understand workplace safety measures, and share agreements for reporting issues or discussing concerns.

Communication should be continuous. Lambrecht said, consider setting up weekly online meetings, arranging one-on-one meetings with managers, and planning organization-wide email updates.

Maintaining clear communication channels before and after your business reopens will help reduce employee fears and keep operations running smoothly.

4. Figure out how to meet customer needs

After reopening, the way you treat your customers will play an important role in the success of your business. “Businesses need to focus on customer retention and how to make their members feel comfortable again,” said CEO and owner Lucas Aylward. Flying marketing.

He suggested that we must first determine the customer’s concerns. Many people worry that once a business reopens, it will increase the chances of exposure to the virus, while others worry that they will not be able to fully obtain the services and products they usually rely on.

“The goal of the retention program is to determine’how do we retain customers and satisfy them?'” Aylward said. Consider contacting your customers via phone calls, email surveys, or social media posts to gauge their concerns and future needs.

For example, suppose your e-commerce team no longer has the manpower to prepare online orders within two working days. You can help customers feel satisfied with longer shipping times by offering shipping discounts over a certain dollar amount, including reward gifts for each package, or just using more compassionate language in email updates.

Other smart retention steps include Boost your social media influence, Create blog posts or videos that contain valuable content, and find ways to improve customer service, Aylward said.

5. Check your finances

Knowing the financial situation of your business can help you develop an effective reopening plan. Bean Ninjas partner and director of global operations Wayne Richard (Wayne Richard) said: “If you don’t focus on understanding your revenue, expenses, profits, and cash flow data, you can’t thrive in a recession.” and Online business bookkeeping service in cooperation with cloud accounting software provider Xero.

Work with your accountant to update your financial plan based on the adjusted income target and the new debt repayment schedule for the rest of 2020. In addition to viewing your current cash flow And monthly expenses, consider compiling a list of reopening costs, including purchasing health and safety supplies, increasing marketing efforts, and consulting a lawyer on potential coronavirus-related issues.

Next, create several different cash flow forecasts, Richard said: one for the best case, one for the milder case, and one for the worst case. These forecasts can help you set sales goals and find out where to cut costs.

“If you plan a lot of cash flow forecasting, you will be able to make decisions based on logic and data, not just relying on intuition and emotion.”

6. Rethink your marketing plan

Marketing Aylward said that after the coronavirus, it is more important than ever. “Due to COVID-19, the flow of people will be drastically reduced, so paid traffic will be needed to make up for it.”

Consider how to improve marketing strategies to connect with past customers and Attract new peopleYou may need to be more active on social media, invest in strategic email nurturing activities, collaborate with influential people or bloggers, or accept content marketing.

In addition to increasing distribution channels to cover a wider customer base, consider adjusting your messaging and communication methods. You may need to develop a communication plan that outlines your updated value proposition and brand tone, as well as detailed information about how you will notify customers of your reopening and any business changes.

7. Prepare to adapt

It may be difficult to keep abreast of changing business regulations after a virus outbreak, but it is essential. “This is an ever-changing goal, and whether it is you, your office manager or your lawyer, someone must be responsible for staying informed,” Reiffert said.

Pay attention to news, local and industry-wide announcements, and the attitudes of your customers. “Many cities have established a centralized web page with the latest developments. Check the site every week, if not every day,” Reiffert said.Consider contacting you Local chamber of commerce Or SBA’s guidance and resource, He added.

The pandemic is a constantly changing situation, so working with lawyers and accountants is a good idea Develop contingency plan In the case of increased restrictions or future closures. Reiffert said: “Be prepared to deal with the potential setbacks of some of these reopening measures.”

Aylward said that now is also a good time to seek guidance and inspiration from other business owners. “COVID-19 has put everyone in a difficult position, and we are all learning along the way.”

Regardless of whether you can reopen next week or next quarter, making a plan can help you get through difficult times and prepare for increased demand.If you need additional help, check out Fundbox’s COVID-19 Resource Guide and PPP application checklist.

Disclaimer: Fundbox and its affiliates do not provide financial, legal or accounting advice. This content is for reference only and is not intended to provide and should not be used as a basis for financial, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your financial, legal or accounting advisers before making any transactions.