5 Tips To Help Your Business Transition Back To Work
Make no mistake: our ‘work world’, alongside nearly every other aspect of our day-to-day, has fundamentally changed amid COVID-19. However, for many business owners, there may just be a light at the end of this tunnel. As the US state governors roll out multi-phase plans aimed at safely reopening, business owners, CEOs, executives and employees grapple with one clear question: “Is my business ready for a post-pandemic world?”
It may feel impossible to answer such a question wholeheartedly, but let us assure you, BrandRep is here to help your business navigate these next steps forward. First, let’s acknowledge: COVID-19 will change how we work, where we work, when we work, and how we effectively interact with those we work with - and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. With so much unknown, a sound reopening strategy ensures a smoother, safer transition. Below, we have compiled a comprehensive list of 5 critical tips to help your business open its doors to a new world, successfully.
1. Rebuild Workplace Morale
COVID-19 will have affected each of your employees differently. Some may have faced the illness of a loved one, loss of secondary income, child-care and schooling concerns, financial uncertainty, the shift of priorities, and most certainly: overall collective anxiety. After two months of limited outdoor activity, it may feel jarring to leave the home, let alone step into a professional setting. It’s imperative to consider that some of your employees may struggle with worry and unease surrounding a workplace re-entry.
Where possible, use full transparency to reassure your employees that safety precautions and state guidelines are being closely followed as part of your reopening strategy. Consider keeping all employees up to date on cleaning efforts, new social distancing strategies shifted hours, even mask implementations to foster a greater sense of trust: their health is your number one priority!
If appropriate, consider turning a focus towards team building and community as a whole, even vocalizing the positives of returning to a collaborative workspace in Zoom calls or Slack channels. After many months of remote work and isolation, employees may be craving that collective comradery! Acknowledge that while your workplace may not be the same as it once was, you are still a dynamic, committed team - stronger together!
In the spirit of community, inspire confidence in your employees that any concerns or questions they may have around reopening will be welcomed and addressed.
We don’t have to tell you: a happy, healthy, motivated internal team often translates to a happy, healthy, thriving business. Employees that feel safe, respected, and involved are free to use their fullest capacity to create, collaborate and climb towards post-COVID-19 success. Now more than ever, leaders should look to ensure just that through transparency, reassurance, and community.
2. Begin To Ramp Up Paid Online Advertising
If you haven’t fully harnessed the power of online advertising for your business, it’s not too late to capitalize on this powerhouse platform! With some businesses opening their doors and others shifting hours, availability, and beyond - now is the time to keep your customers up to date. Capture their attention and ensure your reopening is supported through paid advertising! As customers anxiously await the return of their favorite businesses and services, many are primed and prepared to support where possible.
While some businesses await reopening orders, you may be able to take advantage of this ‘limbo’ period with full advertising efforts. Whether you’re preparing to open in the immediate future or gearing up with a strategic plan, investing in paid advertising through Facebook or Google Ads keeps your customers up to date, and your business, top of mind.