The last few months have been a whirlwind of change for almost everyone on the planet. The outbreak of COVID-19 has shut down huge segments of the economy in countries around the world, and most businesses have dealt with significant alterations to their operations. As businesses, economies, and other organizations prepare to open up in the coming weeks and months, it seems likely that things won’t be going back to “normal.”

Although many aspects of society will inevitably remain the same, some basic standards and practices are going to change. As businesses grapple with these changes, it’s important that they maintain high levels of safety in accordance with public health guidelines while at the same time aiming for their prior efficiency. This balancing act will be a challenge.

At Weave, our goal is to help businesses get back to their former levels of production as they’re implementing the new guidelines for healthy practices. Our Back to Business initiative is geared toward combining insightful content with a powerful communication system to ensure small and medium-sized businesses have the education and tools to succeed in a world altered by coronavirus.

 

We believe that the businesses who understand healthy practices and take advantage of the technological tools at their disposal have the best shot at flourishing as the economy opens up again. A sound understanding of the current situation combined with a responsive communication network lets your team focus on its customers instead of the problems presented by the pandemic and its aftermath.

Good communication has never been more important to businesses. Neither has following the parameters set forth by public health experts. This blog post is a list of precautions that includes basic safety tips and advanced communication protocols.

Your business will need to adhere to both in order to succeed in the new normal.

1.Adapt to new government regulations

As a result of COVID-19, governments at the federal, state, and local levels have applied new public health regulations to help reduce the potential for infection in the general population. Many of these regulations have led to the temporary closure of non-essential services. For those businesses that have remained open throughout the pandemic, their routines and functions have changed in meaningful ways.

Continuing to abide by rules and regulations set forth by governmental organizations will be crucial for running a successful business in the coming months. It’s not only governments that care about how your business conforms to new standards and laws; customers have a heightened awareness of how businesses are operating under new guidelines. Pay close attention to the regulations in your area and demonstrate to customers your willingness to abide by the law.

2.Provide a sanitary setting

Customers’ concern about hygiene and germs have never been higher. Knowing and following new public health requirements like social distancing and limited occupancy is one step toward alleviating these concerns. Keeping a clean office environment and giving customers the supplies they need to feel safe is another way to improve your operations.

Encourage your janitorial staff to be extra vigilant about keeping surfaces clean in the office, especially commonly touched areas like handles, tabletops, railings, and chairs. If you have the financial means, stay well-stocked with wipes and sanitizer, and make it readily available to customers. Try to have some face masks, shields, and gloves available as well, especially if you live in an area where these items are required.

3.Screen customers for symptoms

The economy may slowly be reopening, but that doesn’t mean coronavirus has disappeared. It’s important that your business screen customers for symptoms before they show up to your office for an appointment. This screening can be done with a simple wellness form that asks clients about their health, their exposure to sick individuals, and recent travel.

These wellness forms are particularly effective if they’re distributed to customers by text. Calling and interviewing each customer isn’t practical, emails often go unread, and having customers fill out forms in your office doesn’t help with containment. Establishing two-way business texting is the best way to share and collect wellness forms.