How Australian Businesses Are Managing During COVID-19

Featured photo by jasper wilde on Unsplash

The recent COVID-19 outbreak has taken a toll on everyone’s life. The pandemic forced many people around the world to work from home. Other people lost their jobs. In Australia, as elsewhere, the has pandemic significantly affected individuals’ lives, and Australian businesses of all sizes have suffered as a result of the virus.

While the time has been a challenging one for all Australian business owners, some businesses are finding a means of weathering the storm. In this article are some tips that have been helping Australian businesses to manage during the COVID-19 time. They might also help your business.

Tips You Can Borrow from Australian Businesses for COVID-19 Times

#1: Pivot Operations Like Businesses in Australia Do

One effective way businesses in Australia have been staying afloat is by pivoting their operations. In one way or another, this pandemic has affected businesses everywhere. For some businesses such as restaurants, that can mean closing down completely because customers are no longer allowed to patronize them.

However, there are other ways such a business can continue to operate during these hard times. For instance, restaurants can continue to serve customers and earn revenue by opening a more substantial delivery or pick-up operation.

#2: Make Sure Everyone Is Equipped

If at this time your business needs to start operating from home, make sure your team has everything they need to do that well. For example, if they need computers to do their work, find a way to provide them with what they need.

Alternatively, if everyone must continue working from your business location, do your employees have everything they need to abide by the safety rules against the coronavirus?

For example, there are some Australian driving schools that are still in operation even during COVID-19.

LTrent Driving Instructors in Sydney, for instance, conducts COVID-safe driving lessons. This ensures that students and instructors are protected against the virus. The company makes sure everyone observes social distancing and proper disinfection before, during, and after driving lessons.

#3: Negotiate with Vendors in Australia and Elsewhere

One of the negative consequences of this time on many businesses is a decline in revenue. This is true whether your business is in Australia or elsewhere in the world.

But business owners can be honest with their vendors. Some of the vendors you may need to contact include your bank, your landlord, insurance companies, and inventory suppliers.

Since all these vendors are aware of the difficult time, reaching out to them to plead a case for relief may be a good way to help your business survive the time. It may be your perfect chance to get an extended repayment term or a reduction in charges.

#4: Set Clear Expectations

Now that almost everyone is working remotely, in Australia and elsewhere, you might be worried that your team is not getting things done. However, working from home doesn’t mean your team will be less productive than when they work in the office. However, be sure to let your team know what they need to do.

Make your team aware of your expectations about deadlines, work hours, and other items. This will help them work remotely without friction. For instance, you may have an expectation that your team is at their computers by 9 a.m. regardless of any situation that might come their way.

Your expectation might also be that they get things done regardless of how many hours it takes them to work on it. The baseline is that if your team will be working remotely, you need to make your expectations clear to them. Then your company can continually meet its business goals.

RELATED ARTICLE: TEAM-BUILDING IDEAS FOR REMOTE WORKERS

#5: Schedule Video Meetings (Including Some Social Time)

Your employees may be feeling lonely and isolated while working remotely. Therefore, regularly stay in touch with more than just a chat message or an email.

Having video meetings (instead of phone meetings) with your team is a great way to interact with them. Great options for video meetings include Zoom, Skype, WebEx, and GoToMeeting. What’s so great about these platforms is that they allow you to connect with people all over the world, whether they’re in Australia, in Europe, in North America, or somewhere else.

Be sure to include on your meeting agenda some time to socialize. That will help keep boredom at bay and help everyone feel more connected with their jobs and each other. When that time is up, let the meeting begin properly, and everyone can get back on schedule.

#6: Expect the Unexpected

While it’s normal for companies to prepare for legal roadblocks during business-as-usual times, unforeseen legal challenges may arise out of unexpected crises. During such times, companies might need to conduct contract risk assessment. This can help business owners identify risks and take preventive actions. Additionally, they should be ready to invoke force majeure clauses if necessary.

In Australia and Everywhere Businesses Can Survive

These are some of the tips that have kept many Australian businesses afloat during the difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you want to see your business survive the storm, too, take advantage of these tips for your own company.