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Here’s a list of best practices you can consider to keep your business running smoothly—online and offline.
01. Keep Your Business Safe
Update your employees with the latest news, developments and health regulations. Look out for common symptoms of the coronavirus like a dry cough, shortness of breath and/or fever. Create hygiene stations in the workplace and make sure your team is following protocol to keep everyone healthy. Encourage employees to work from home if they're not feeling well, or if they traveled recently.Alternatively, split your employees in groups A and B, so that while group A is in the office – group B is working from home. The duration of such cycles should be 7 days, as it is considered the minimum incubation period.
02. Postpone Events, Services or Appointments
Be flexible with your scheduling. When possible, postpone your business offerings to a later date. Share your calendar with your employees/peers and ask them to do the same.
03. Be Transparent
Communicate proactively. Encourage your customers to put their trust in you. Use conference calls via Skype, Microsoft Team or Zoom.
Schedule the daily report time and assign time slots when Senior Manager/Executive will be online via the Conference Call to keep the team updated.
Use email marketing to let customers know about changes to your business or special offerings.
Create a forum and actively respond to questions and concerns from your community.
Write a blog article detailing what your business is doing to keep your customers safe.
Update your followers on social media with any relevant information.
04. Update Your Site
Keep your customers in the loop. Update your website and social media pages with any changes to your work hours, shipping delays or event/service cancelations. Add an FAQ section to your site to address customer concerns.
05. Modify Your Payment Options
Try to limit your transactions to contactless “tap” payments, or encourage customers to pay online using their phones. If using a POS system, disable on-screen signatures. You may even want to opt for online invoicing to digitize the payment process as much as possible.
Includes persons from Diamond Princess cruise ship and evacuees from Wuhan, China.
Updated as of March 20, 2020 at 4pm EST.
06. Get Creative
Be prepared to think on your feet and work around issues as they arise. Consider innovative solutions and be flexible so you can ensure customers will return. There is no one-size-fits-all plan. Find solutions that are right for you and your business.
07. Double down on hygiene
Let clients know the steps you're taking to keep your business environment clean and safe. Consider these safeguards:
Keep hand sanitizer, disposable wipes, soap and tissues on hand. Remind clients and staff to use them regularly.
Ensure everyone washes their hands (for at least 20 seconds).
Post reminders to avoid handshaking and touching your face.
If relevant, wear protective gear and change them between each client.
Add extra buffer time between appointments to thoroughly clean stations and disinfect all equipment used.
08. Be proactive about sanitation
The virus can live on some surfaces for up to 3 days. Consider these tips for keeping your guests and work environment safe:
Wipe down your front desk throughout the day using a cleaning solution with at least 70% alcohol.
Encourage guests to wash their hands. Visibly place hand sanitizer, soap and tissues in common areas.
Add a sanitation kit as part of your guest room amenities.
Routinely disinfect surfaces people touch, including elevator buttons, doorknobs, room keys/cards, TV remotes, bed-side phones, light switches and more.
Use disinfectant when washing linens.
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