Although a comeback in the new normal is an exciting prospect, it is more challenging than you can imagine. Small businesses can find the transition as hard as the initial one to a remote model. But reopening isn’t something you can shy away from because you need to get back on the road to recovery. Strategic planning can set you up for success and make the journey smooth and easy. Here are some comeback tactics that small businesses can rely on to ease back into the new way of working.
Keep safety ahead of everything else
Even as the virus seems to be under control, it is still here and may hit back when it finds an opportunity. It is vital to keep the safety of your customers and employees ahead of everything else as you make a comeback. Following safety guidelines ensures the well-being of people and keeps your business ahead on the compliance front. Implement the required measures and communicate the action plan to your customers and employees.
Embrace a blended working model
Small businesses often run short on space, so there are chances you will be unable to comply with the social distancing norms. Thankfully, you can follow a blended model instead of having all employees back to work right away. People are already comfortable working from home, and it will be easy to run with a blended mode for the foreseeable future. Pick the roles that can be managed remotely or schedule shifts to get employees back without crowding the office space.
Outsource where possible
It is a good idea to outsource non-core operations such as HR management and customer support. Small businesses can be much better off with a PEO model as these professional employment organizations can handle complex HR tasks such as payroll, compliance, taxes, and benefits. Since experts handle these aspects, you never have to worry about anything going wrong. You save up on time, energy, and money and can focus on business revival in the new normal.
Clarify priorities for cost savings
Making a comeback is about sustaining through hard times, and the best way you can do it is by cutting back on expenses. The bare minimum approach gives you a good start as you can opt out of nice-to-have processes and programs for now. It makes sense to respond to employee needs and keep your business afloat while keeping cost savings on top of your mind during the revival phase.
Support the workforce
Your employees are the foundation of the business, and they can serve as key drivers of your comeback plan. It is your responsibility to support them financially, physically, and mentally as they make the transition once again. Show them the intention to help and be there for the ones who need it. Take an empathic approach towards the people who cannot join immediately and provide workable alternatives to keep them on board.
A comeback for your small business requires commitment and conscious efforts for the well-being of your workforce and customers. Even small steps can win trust for your business and boost its reputation in a crisis.
