The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we do almost everything. For some business owners, community quarantine meant they had to close up shop for the meantime or adopt new measures in order to continue operations. For example, some have implemented their own guidelines as the government continues to reiterate that social distancing, is the new norm, until such time the virus threat is minimized.
As business operations continue or just restart for some, it’s important that business owners adapt to the “current normal.” GoDaddy, a company dedicated to empowering everyday entrepreneurs around the world, shares these tips on what businesses can to do to help ensure people’s safety as they deal with your business.
1. Be an advocate of social distancing
Share with your employees the right information about social distancing and how to prevent the virus from spreading. You can also help inform customers, too. The Department of Health (DOH) offers a number of printable fact sheets which you can display at your place of business. Informing people how to practice social distancing and what measures they can do once inside your business, is crucial for everyone’s safety.
2. Limit Physical contact
According to the DOH, the fastest and most common way for viruses to spread is still through physical contact. Do not shake hands. Do not hug. If you need to greet someone, stick with a wave for now.
3. Have disinfectants available
Once you open shop, it’s important that you have ample alcohol-based hand sanitizers or rubbing alcohol (at least 70%) available for employees and customers to use. You also should have soap available in toilets and display signs to remind handwashing. The DOH maintains that this is an effective way to help prevent viruses from spreading.
4. Shift to an agile workplace
In an effort to continue to limit the number of people at your office, adopt work from home measures for those who can remotely work and turn physical meetings into virtual ones. To help ensure that employees are equipped to be more agile, ensure that they have the right productivity and video conferencing tools they need to work collaboratively and efficiently. For example, GoDaddy currently offers Microsoft Office 365 which has Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Microsoft Teams currently for P779 a month, which can be installed for up to five devices.
5. Ensure space in physical locations
If you have a brick and mortar set-up, it’s imperative that you have enough space for customers to practice social distancing. When there are queues, you may want to consider using specific markers to help observe the one-meter recommended distance from each other by the DOH.
6. Pivot to digital and online payments
As a temporary measure for brick-and-mortar locations, you may want to consider reducing cash handling. Instead, you could use digital payment systems when possible. You could also consider creating an online store to sell your products and services, where all payments can be handled digitally with your customers, with the option to pick-up their purchases at your physical location. GoDaddy’s Online Store product, for example, allows you to set-up a digital store that can accept major credit cards and PayPal.
7. Set caps on customers
Social distancing measures can be better practiced if you control the number of customers that can enter your store at any point. You can either limit the number of people that can go inside, or serve them in batches. This way, you help to ensure that there’s enough space for everyone’s safety.
GoDaddy currently has resources available to help small business owners with tips and tools they can use to help adjust to the current changes brought by the pandemic. Log on to https://openwestand.org for more information.