Resources for Cash
In
business, cash is like oxygen. Without it, your business will simply
not exist post-COVID.
That
is why the government has created several programs to help businesses
get the cash they so desperately need. Here are the current options
available as of this article:
If
you haven't already, then I urge you to apply for any and all relief
options above that you qualify for. This is the first step to ensure
you have the cash to get through this downturn.
Armed
with cash, you can refocus your time and energy on marketing, sales,
and operations. Let's start with marketing...
Resources for Marketing During COVID
As
I wrote in March, we're in the midst of a unique marketing
opportunity that may never happen again in our lives. Many
of your competitors are hibernating so now is your chance to gain a
competitive advantage if you can.
Below
are some of the resources available (as of this writing) to help you
market through the COVID crisis.
In
addition to the resources above, our company just launched the COVID-19 Small Business
Stimulus Program to help businesses invest in SEO during
this crisis.
If
your marketing is still humming, then we need to talk about how to
maintain effective sales in our new social distancing world...
Resources for Remote Sales
For
most businesses, face-to-face selling is no longer an option. Of
course, good 'ol phone sales should still be utilized, but that's not
the same as looking your customers in the eye and forming strong,
in-person relationships.
The
solution is to get familiar with two online tools:
1. 1-on-1 Video Conferencing. At Main
Street ROI, we use Google Meet for video conferencing, but there are a
lot of other options like Zoom, WebEx, and GoToMeeting. Don't stress
out doing extensive research because they all function very similarly.
More importantly, invest in a comfortable headset or microphone with
good audio quality. Nothing kills a meeting faster than sounding like a
robot!
2. Video Recording. In addition to
scheduled video meetings, I highly recommend recording videos that you
can email prospects and customers. Loom is a good option for quick,
free screen capture videos and Camtasia is my go-to software for longer
videos.
Warning:
Don't worry about perfection here! The goal of these videos is to
connect with your prospects and customers like you normally do in an
in-person meeting. An authentic video with a few blunders will likely
be more effective than a polished, professionally produced video.
OK,
great, you've made a sale despite social distancing, but how are you
going to fulfill? Depending on your business, you may need to rethink
how you're delivering your services.
Resources for Remote Service Delivery
If
your business typically provides in-person services like consulting,
counseling, gyms, personal trainers, physical therapists, etc., then
you obviously need to change your fulfillment processes to abide by the
social distancing mandate.
First,
I recommend adding a note to your website that clarifies that you're
still open and operational during this crisis. Then, explain how you
will continue to provide services to customers. The resources below are
similar to the sales tools I'm recommending:
·
1-on-1 Video Conferences. Similar to sales, you can
provide 1-to-1 services via video conferencing tools like Google Meet,
Zoom, WebEx, and GoToMeeting.
·
Group Webinars. You can provide services to a larger group
using tools like GoToWebinar. At Main Street ROI, we've presented training
courses to just a handful of attendees to nearly 500 attendees via
GoToWebinar. This is a great option for virtual gym classes and group
consulting services.
·
Video Recording. Again, similar to sales, you can record
videos and then send the video to your customers.
Lastly,
here are some resources to help your entire team maintain productivity
while working remotely...
Resources for Remote Working
At
Main Street ROI, our entire team has been working remotely for the last
10 years. Based on this experience, here are the resources I recommend,
along with some helpful tips:
·
Create structure with regularly scheduled
"huddles" (via conference calls). Depending on the size of
your business, you may need just one huddle per week or you may need
several. At Main Street ROI, we have weekly huddles with the Ad Team
and separate weekly huddles with the SEO Team. Plus, we have a weekly
Marketing huddle and an Operations huddle. This structure will ensure
you maintain momentum on all your key projects.
·
Schedule video conferences with the entire team to
maintain relationships. This can be done using Google Meet, Zoom,
WebEx, GoToMeeting or any other video conferencing tool. There's no
substitute for face-to-face meetings so don't just rely on conference
calls.
·
Use a project management tool like Basecamp or Asana. We
use Basecamp because we like how each client project has its own
"home base." This will give more structure and centralize
your communication versus relying on email. It also provides a virtual
office where your team can go each day to communicate.
·
Use cloud-based files if possible. At Main Street ROI, we
use Google Drive for files, which means files are stored in the cloud
instead of on individual computers. This also helps speed up
collaboration because multiple team members can access the same file
and make edits at the same time.
·
Do not overly rely on email. Of all the tools and advice,
this is the most important for remote working. When you're in an office
you're able to communicate effectively using multiple senses. You can
hear the tone and volume of the person's voice and you can read body
language. When you're remote using email, or worse text messages, then
you lose out on critical communication signals, which ultimately leads
to miscommunication. And miscommunication leads to errors, frustration,
and lost productivity. Instead of relying on email, use the phone and
video conferences whenever possible.
Alright,
that's all for now. I wish you all the best as you navigate through
this pandemic. Stay safe!
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