Even as you open your office, you should continue to implement health and safety guidelines to protect you and your employees. The reality of the situation is that COVID is still out there—and everyone must be just as vigilant, even during the transitional process, so that there isn’t a second peak break out. Here are three ways you can protect your employees while reopening your office.

Follow Health Guidelines

You should follow CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting your workplace. Make sure that each employee has hand sanitizer on their desk and uses it frequently. Furthermore, make sure bathrooms and desks are cleaned more regularly than normal. Continue to practice social distancing, even within the workplace. You may want to even take all your employees’ temperatures at the door with a medical, non-touch thermometer to ensure that no one enters who shows symptoms. In fewer words, make sure that you don’t take reopening to mean that everything is back to normal—because it isn’t.

Continue Using Remote Employees

Where possible, you should continue using remote employees to reduce crowding in the workplace. In fact, most companies are realizing that many employees don’t have to come to work at the physical location and that they can work just as well (if not better) from the comforts of their own home office space. This is not only considered an environmentally friendly option, but it could also save your company money in the long run since using remote employees decreases travel costs and need for more rented office space. But for now, continuing to keep employees at home will help prevent the spread of COVID.  

Update Sick Leave Policies

Even if you are taking temperatures at the door, your employees may be showing up to work with other types of symptoms. Given the economic downturn of late, many employees worry about making enough to take care of themselves or their families. If there isn’t a good sick leave policy in place, there is greater risk that your employees will show up to the office sick—and get everyone else sick in return. If this is a risk for your employees, you may want to take another look at your sick leave policies and make things a bit more lenient so to better protect everyone coming into the office.

As a business leader, you have a duty and responsibility (both legal and moral) to protect your employees during these unprecedented times. Even though the economy is reopening, that does not mean you shouldn’t be taking extra precautions to keep everyone safe and mitigate exposure to COVID. Follow these three principles so you can lead your company to a safe reopening.

If you are struggling to figure out a good marketing strategy as you start to open back up, don’t worry! We can help. Contact us to schedule an appointment for coaching!

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There is no question about it, the world has entered a deeply turbulent economic moment, as the COVID-19 pandemic has decimated commerce and the world’s economy. There is no question that this has created a massive disruption of many businesses and has even been forcing some to close. However, though this moment has been incredibly challenging, there are still ways your business can move forward. Here are three specific tips on how you can make that happen as a business owner.

Create Live Videos for Your Social Media

Social media use has skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, as people rely more and more on technology to stay connected with the rest of the world. This has created an amazing opportunity for small businesses to connect with their customers and potential new ones. Indeed, many social networks have algorithms that favor live posts. To that end, create a live video. Use it to discuss your challenges, services and how you are serving your customers during this pandemic. If you are becoming active in a charitable cause or tying your business to charitable activities make sure to discuss that in your live videos, as it can help give you a leg up.

Offer Special Deals

There are many benefits of offering free trials to your customers and potential customers during difficult times. Many people are stuck in their homes and looking for new things to do, and if you can shift your service model to allow for business to operate, take advantage of this lull in service. Examine what sorts of promotions can work for your business and still allow you to serve your customers during this pandemic.

Shift Your Service Delivery Model

Stay at home or business shutdowns have hit virtually every place in the United States. However, many businesses have found ways to continue to legally operate during this time. They have done so by shifting their service models. For example, many businesses are becoming take-out only, delivering products digitally, delivering to someone’s home, and more. To that end, ask yourself, how can you shift your service model. Are there different products or services that you can offer that will provide you a chance to continue to connect with your already existing customers, and maybe even expand to new markets?

Remember, every crisis presents an opportunity. Use this difficult moment in world history to examine how you can continue to provide value to your customers and potentially cut costs at the same time. This can be an opportunity for you and your business if you are able to pivot accordingly.

Are you in need of a great business and marketing consultant? Contact me so we can discuss how I can help you and your business!

For some companies and business owners, the holiday season is the best time of year in terms of sales and generating revenue. Whether you are an entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, knowing how to take advantage of a holiday sales spike can significantly impact the overall success you achieve each year. Here are some things to keep in mind when preparing your business for a sale.

Keep Walkways Clear

If you are the owner of a storefront or a brick-and-mortar store, it is imperative to keep walkways outside of your property clear and free from ice and debris at all times. Ensure that you salt and protect each walkway surrounding your business during the cold and wet months to prevent injuries and encourage more foot traffic into your store.

It is also imperative to keep all walkways to your store or place of business clear from ice, damage, cracks and other risks as this may leave you legally accountable for any accidents or injuries that occur. Always verify that you have proper liability insurance for your business and storefront, especially if you live in an area where ice and snowstorms are common or expected each year.

Hire Seasonal Employees

Statistics show that holiday sales account for 20 to 30 percent of profits in most industries, which is why so many employers and companies hire seasonal and part-time workers throughout the busiest times of the year. Consider hiring temporary employees during your busiest holiday months to minimize full-time payroll taxes while also ensuring that your current employees do not become overwhelmed and too stressed out to continue working for you. Additional help on the sales floor and throughout your store can dramatically improve the overall environment and atmosphere in your workplace, especially during busy, hectic and stressful times of the year.

Get Creative Using Social Media

Social media is a great tool for promoting holiday sales and generating interest in your brand and business. Using social media is an effective way to generate brand awareness while also garnering support from new followers who may become loyal customers. Getting creative with the use of social media is possible by hosting contests and giving back, especially during the holiday sale season. Social media is also a great way to share special sale codes that can only be used if they follow your page or subscribe to your newsletter. This is a great way to bring in more attention for your business.

Big holiday sales can seem daunting. As a business owner, knowing how to take advantage of a holiday sales spike can make or break your company each year. With the right plan of action, you can expand your reach while maximizing the revenue you are capable of generating.

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Keeping your workplace clean and free from hazardous obstacles is an essential part of maintaining a successful business. However, hiring staff to clean each and every day can become rather expensive, especially for start-ups. This is why so many companies choose to go the route of simply hiring a cleaning service to come from time to time. However, before you sign on the dotted line, here are a few things to look out for.

Affordability

Although it’s much cheaper to hire a cleaning service than bringing in your own staff, it can still get expensive. It is important to consider the affordability of the service as well as what you get. Note that you should not choose a company because it is the cheapest option. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. So, in order to make an educated decision, always look at the level of service you get with each company. You will notice that some companies may charge a lot but will have certain restrictions, while others will go above and beyond for less.

Thoroughness

One of the most common reasons a company gets sued is because of an accident at work. This is why it is so important that you choose a company that is thorough with its cleaning. Slippery unmarked floors are no laughing matter, so make sure they don’t just clean but mark areas that might be dangerous. It is highly recommended to ask for references and talk with prior clients about their history with the company. A few calls can potentially save your company thousands.

Insurance

Simply said, accidents are going to happen. A computer will be dropped by accident or that expensive painting in your lobby might be damaged. Thus, one of the first things you should ask a cleaning service is what kind of insurance it has. You are going to want a cleaning company that can not only cover damages on objects within your office but also personal accidents. This is especially important because that worker can potentially file a lawsuit against not only the cleaning company but your business as well.

Business leaders have a plethora of things to do. However, hiring the right cleaning service is not a detail that should be thrown to the wayside. So, take the tips listed above into consideration and conduct your own personal research to determine which cleaning company is the right choice for you.

You might also be interested in this article: How Creating a Positive Work Environment Can Make Your Employees Happier