Businesses have taken a hammering as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic and, while we are by no means out of the woods just yet, we are once again beginning to see movement on an economic front. No matter what industry you operate in, these have been unprecedented times with challenges the likes we have never seen before and, hopefully, will never see again.
This has resulted in cut-throat cost-cutting measures across the board, with thousands of peoples’ livelihoods sacrificed to protect the rest of the workforce. These are not easy times and, when you take into consideration that we are projected to be contending with the effects of the pandemic for many years to come, it just relays the need to keep costs down to an absolute minimum for the foreseeable.
That means staff cuts, more carefully considered investments and thorough reviews on processes and suppliers. Nothing can be taken for certain in this new age that we are living in but in the darkness, there is a light and this can be turned into a positive for business by offering the chance to recalibrate, even if you didn’t previously consider this to be a necessity.
Leave No Stone Unturned
If the pandemic has taught us anything it is to not leave any stone unturned. Do not take anything for chance and take all precautions where necessary. That same mantra can, and should, be adopted in the business world. As owners of businesses big and small look at how they can, first, keep their companies afloat before, eventually, turning their attention to turning a profit once more, absolutely nothing is off the table.
You do have to be careful with the decisions to make, however, because making unpopular moved can have a negative effect both internally and externally, causing bad PR for your business. It is, for this reason, why staff cuts must be avoided where possible – it is never a good look for a business to be using a crisis as an excuse to trim down the workforce when other measures can be taken.
For example, if your business invests heavily in model engineering supplies, then consider where you purchase from. Are you getting the best deal for your business? Does your model mean that you are getting the lowest price for your stock? What is the lead time like? Has this changed during the pandemic? This also has a knock-on to your margin and profit, so it is essential to consider.
Review Your Projections
Whatever projections you had for your business at the beginning of the year may as well be thrown out of the window, because they aren’t happening. Apart from a select through markets that are fortunate to be thriving during the pandemic (see sellers of home fitness equipment), most will be falling short of their targets through no fault of their own. Make no mistake about it, 2020 is the year of damage limitation.
If you haven’t already done so, review your quarterly and yearly projection and bring your budgets in line with them. When you are projected to be suffering heavy year-on-year losses, your business simply cannot afford to increase its spend. This is the time to batten down the hatches and look ahead to 2021 and, even, 2022 as business slowly gets back to normal.
Strap Yourself In
It is going to be a bumpy ride. There will be more hardships to come without question, but all great businesses learn to adapt to their environment. We have seen restaurants jump on the takeaway bandwagon and office-based firms move to remote work, so there is no reason why your business – whatever it may be – cannot find a way to operate in amongst the madness.
Whatever you do, remember to keep safe out there. This will all eventually blow over and we can get back to doing what we do best. Until then, it is all about remaining strong and determined.