Many businesses are currently unsure of what the future holds and how their businesses can adjust to the difficult disruptions of the coronavirus. During this time, companies are facing challenges and confronting a multitude of changes, often pivoting business plans or implementing cost-cutting strategies, while also brainstorming ways to develop and strengthen future avenues of growth. While companies are facing internal challenges, they are also forced to confront external communications and client-facing interactions. It is more important than ever for companies to build strong connections with their customers through content marketing that is situationally sensitive, yet forward-looking.

Marketing in the time of coronavirus is a delicate balance - customers want the businesses they know to guide them through their new lifestyles, but without “exploiting” the crisis to sell their products. Navigating the current marketing landscape will require businesses to reevaluate what they know about the customer, reconsider the channels they use to reach customers, and shift the focus of their marketing communications.

As businesses try to continue marketing to their customers, they should take into account how they can adapt their strategies to market to the entire family instead of the single individual. Now that children are home, it is important that businesses consider the needs of the entire family as one unit, not separate parties. Restaurants have an advantage in this area as they can connect all the members of the family using the love and the necessity of food.

In a time of crisis, when speed and flexibility are most valuable, businesses rely heavily on the transparency, efficiency, and adaptability of their supply chain. Near-term investments in alternate sources, with a focus on domestic producers, will help companies mitigate the risk of supply shocks. Long-term investments in supply chain simplification and transparency will enable businesses to adapt to rapidly-evolving situations, like the coronavirus pandemic, in the future.

The PPP was established through the CARES Act in order to help small businesses affected by COVID-19. The PPP is a loan designed for small businesses to guarantee their employees eight weeks of payroll and can also be used to pay rent, mortgage interest, and utilities to qualify for loan forgiveness (at least 75% of the forgiven amount must have been used for payroll). Otherwise, the loan will mature in two years and has a 1% interest rate. Loan payments are deferred for six months, and no collateral is necessary.

During a time where customers are using the internet to research and purchase everything, it is essential to be at the top of their search results. Here are 5 easy steps to get Google’s algorithm to put your small business on the first result page for free.

Small businesses face many challenges during this time. A continued understanding of their consumer demographics, revenue streams, and core operations is essential. However, much of this is out of their control right now, with their doors closed and operations halted. The way small businesses market themselves and uphold their core values is within their control. Driving home this message through social impact can not only help those in need but also generate future returns on investment. 

Dine-in traffic is lagging and restaurants are seeing demand dry up for their core offerings. Layoffs and furloughs have been pervasive throughout the industry as part of cost-saving initiatives and lower need for labor. The small restaurants that will survive this crisis will do so by creating new opportunities amidst the chaos. Restaurants must take advantage of consumers’ new demands by repurposing their workforce, which will lead to increased revenue generation. This research will cover recommended initiatives for repurposing restaurants’ workforce, including sample case studies.

While there are many strategies that non-profits can utilize to stay afloat and even drive growth during this unprecedented time, one of the most potent strategies is that of the strategic pivot. Given the increasing personal loss and incredible stress that this country is undergoing, the most effective pivots will be the ones that aid with COVID-19 relief efforts in some capacity.