With an increasing number of confirmed Coronavirus cases across the whole world, many businesses & start-ups are concerned & befuddled about what action they need to take immediately and what should be their plan if the epidemic becomes more severe. Employers are struggling to protect businesses and workers from the deep and non-ending recession into which the global economy is sinking rapidly because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Employers need to prepare, rather than panic. Despite how things roll out, it’s decisive for businesses to have plans ready to mitigate any such unseen problem that arises. Not only employers have to work over helping and supporting employees, but later should also understand their duty towards the company.
Some companies including mine already have experience with working in a virtual environment, but many don’t. So we wanted to share some tips for protecting your employees and business in such extreme times.
Update yourself regularly with real news
Rumor epidemic always spreads faster than the coronavirus itself. Statistics are changing with astounding speed, and events change on a daily basis. A few weeks ago, rumors were that Covid-19 is mostly confined to China and was brought under control. Within a week infection sprung up beyond China, giving rise of emergency across the world. Employers should stay informed by regularly consulting the government’s latest Coronavirus updates and guidance for businesses.
Quickly Go Virtual: Implement Work from home environment for employees
Allowing employees to work from home is the best way to contain the infection and shield them from Covid-19. But implementing work from home policy you not only eliminate the possibility of transmission at office premises but also during a commute. This not only saves your employee but also their families from getting infected.
In giants like the USA, China, India & other populated countries, it is an effective measure that employers can take and help the world in facing this epidemic. This holds true for many other countries with packed urban centres as well.
Some may be lacking proper infrastructure and enough bandwidth to manage the kind of work they do at the office. So it’s time to invest your office building expenses in helping those employees to have the right setup (secure Wi-Fi networks to allow for remote work) which will be helping in such adverse conditions in the future.
Think & Rethink What’s Possible: Regularly reframe your understanding of what’s happening
Urgencies and downtimes compel employers to make plans to deal with them. Organizations are really flexible and managers resist changing decisions and disseminating plans until they are completely sure.
Let’s be clear, this is a concerning time. The pressure is high everywhere. BUT, we need to understand and rethink what’s possible. It’s good to stick to plans but it’s necessary to look for an alternative plan at such a high emergency. It’s time to open ourselves up to the possibilities of new ways to operate, servicing customers, partnering, employing and much more. Don’t let walls of yesterday limit you.
“Great generals should issue commands in the morning and change them in the evening.”
– Chinese proverb
Don’t exploit the situation: Be sensitive to your employee’s & customers’ needs
Supplies are running low around the world. Some businesses are stocking grocery products, masks, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and other basic necessities and then reselling them on eCommerce platforms like Amazon, eBay, etc… for 10-50x the price. This isn’t business not even humanity. This is really not appreciable to exploit the Coronavirus situation to make a quick buck.
Businesses are going to struggle for a while. Though sales of your products/services are going down, still you need to understand one thing, customer experience is a key to win the game of business. Stand with your customers in this adverse time and they won’t leave your side when things get better.
Don’t force your employees to attend office even at such high alert. Forcing them will not only hurt their loyalty for the company but will also be dangerous for their life. At the same time, your employees are concerned about their security & stability. Connect with them and eliminate all the question marks!
Let them know the plans. Open up forums for them to share their ideas. Contribute, collaborate, connect!
Manage your cash & Control employee expenses
Spend every dollar as if it were your last. You need to embrace this mentality until this lockdown ends. As corona is a life threat to us similarly running out of cash is a life threat to your business and indirectly to you and your employee.
Examine your business closely. Look at the loopholes that can be tightened to control expenses. Look for ways to inexpensively keep employee morale high. You can probably channelize travel and event costs (that was to be spent on your employees’ commute) in paying off for the upcoming expenses and increasing your business footprints. If possible hold off on any other unnecessary monthly expenses like rents etc. You can also cut off some of the expenses by breaking any recruiting activities. Instead, see if you can use freelancers and contractors. To manage workload you can also consider hiring college interns. Remember, this is the time when Survival matters more than market domination. Take all possible measures so that you come out of this disruption stronger than ever.
Get disaster preparedness policy (emergency policy) ready
Many new and upcoming companies haven’t planned for a crisis on such a massive scale. Many of them are realizing now that they need one. So employers must sit, think, plan and draft policy coving all aspects that may arise in any emergency. This is the chance when you have both time and ongoing experience in hand that will help you to think rightly & create wisely the policy for emergency. Be ready for worst-case scenario. Reflect on what you’ve learned. Make guide that includes all the steps that you as a present owner/manager are taking, it will help the upcoming people of your company in times to come. Be proactive and manage even if no one is by your side. Do whatever is needed to keep your doors open, even if your employees and customers are not there.
Prepare for a changed world
Covid-19 will play a great role in changing present social & business ways. Many policies will be introduced and many amended. It will boost online shopping, education and other businesses. People will consider investing more in healthcare sector. As an employer/company, its time that you take lessons from this ongoing corona craziness and implement the ways in your business rules/policies that can not only save your business in present time but also in any upcoming emergencies.
