How to Successfully Manage a Business During a Crisis

Tips for Business Leaders

Challenging times are when loyalty is built. Your customers will remember who was there for them and will reward it. Take this opportunity to foster community through your brand. 

Here are some recommendations that both your customers and employees will value forever.

Have you ever heard that beauty and well-being start from the inside out? That’s why our focus starts with your employees. 

A team that feels good, and above all, protected during this stage, will not only make your business more productive but will also convey positivity to your customers.

It’s easy to be a leader when things are going well, but it’s a huge challenge when the future is uncertain. The first piece of advice is to be compassionate with your employees. 

Try not to magnify your problems or those of the business; instead, prioritize their concerns. Learn about their family situations, and if they’re in a vulnerable position, help them.

Focus on Workplace Flexibility

If remote work is feasible, implement it. Additionally, consider measures such as reduced work hours, flexible hour banks (working fewer hours now and making up for them later), adjusting start and end times, or offering early vacation periods.

If your business cannot operate remotely, create a safe environment for everyone. Provide masks, ensure soap is available for handwashing, mark physical distancing guidelines, clean surfaces frequently, and train employees on how to apply proper hygiene measures.

Create an Emergency Protocol

Develop a detailed emergency protocol. Include the disinfection of furniture, objects, and spaces; availability of hygiene supplies; emergency contact lines; and a list of employee contact information to facilitate follow-up if needed.

Support Your Community

Your employees should be your first priority, but after the social impact of the coronavirus crisis, incorporating community support into your strategy is essential. Use your databases to organize and communicate positive actions.

Adapt your establishment to offer a safe environment once the quarantine ends. For example, if your business is a restaurant, publish your menu online so customers can access it from their phones. Consider other measures to reduce physical contact, such as operating by reservations to control the number of people in your space.

Prioritize Employee and Customer Well-Being

Remember, taking care of your employees means taking care of your customers. Mishandling a situation during this period can severely damage your brand. Stand out by going beyond the mandatory legal requirements. Make an effort now to build a strong foundation for your future.

Recommendations from International Organizations

Here are some recommendations from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF for employers during the COVID-19 crisis:

• Monitor and follow the advice of local and national authorities, and provide critical information to your workforce.
• Evaluate whether your current workplace policies offer sufficient support to employees and their families.
• Protect your workplace from discrimination and social stigma by offering training and ensuring that reporting mechanisms are confidential and safe.
• Implement work arrangements that accommodate family needs, giving employees more flexibility in when and where they can fulfill their responsibilities. If flexible arrangements aren’t possible, consider alternative support for working parents, such as childcare options.
• Support employees who are directly facing stress during the COVID-19 outbreak.

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