5 Things You Should Do As A SME Employer During Covid-19 Lockdown

In our previous post, we've introduced you to the 10 jobs that will exist in 2020. Who would have thought that within a quarter, the entire world (yes, THE ENTIRE WORLD) is facing the challenge of COVID-19 viruses? At this point, we don't think there's any need to further elaborate on the situation. We're pretty sure almost every country in the world is on lockdown to break the chain of infection.

While it is depressing to count the dollar and cents during the lockdown, we have some suggestions which you can do right now - some involve zero cost!

Conduct a communication session with your staff

This is the best time to do a communication session with your staff. Let them know the actual situation of your company in terms of productivity, financial and other concerns that they should know. You can do private communication such as one-to-one or group communication. Encourage discussion with your team and get them to give you ideas on how to improve the company after COVID-19 lockdown is lifted. With online tools such as Google Hangout, Skype, Zoom, GoToMeeting, etc. it is very easy for you to reach out to your staff even if everyone is working from home.

Cost: Zero

Plan a CSR program that you can execute right now

If you have ideas on how to help the frontliners such as medical team, police or army in this situation, you should start your plan now. Fashion designers are using their resources to make personal protective equipment for medical staff, chemical manufacturers are converting their production to produce more sanitizers, plastic companies are producing face shields, etc. This is the time where anyone who can contribute, should do it.

And if your business is not directly or indirectly related to medical supplies, you can consider doing grocery rounds for the single old folks, single parents, or people who don't have the means to stock up food. Continue to reach out to those who need your services and get your team to contribute in this mission.

Cost: Minimal to high (depending on the project planned)

Provide training to your staff

As a leader or a business owner, you'll reap lots of benefits from staff that are well-trained. On top of that, training can also be a form of teamwork (if it involves the team) and an engagement tool for your employees. The question is, what should you train? That depends on the nature of your business, operation process and also what you aspire to achieve in your team.

You can conduct a simple training that does not involve any cost or you can purchase training modules online from Skillshare, Udemy, etc. Or you could get an expert within your team to do a knowledge-sharing session.

Cost: Zero to high

Engage with your customers/clients

The relationship between you and your customers should go beyond money. We're going to go through a deep recession and you need to keep engaging with your customers. Even if your current business fails, you can always have a group of loyal customers that will back you up on your next gig. How to engage with your customers depending on your creativity. One way is to educate them by feeding content via your social media sites. Otherwise, send them samples, run a contest or send them questionnaires for feedbacks on your product/services.

Cost: Zero to average 

Kickstart A Side Project

Is there any side project that you have been putting aside because of no time? Time shouldn't be an excuse right now. If you're planning to upgrade your website, doing job rotation within the team, crunching sales data, etc. this is the time you should start your plan and actually execute it. With no interruption, your project can be carried out in a shorter time.

Cost: Zero to high (depending on your project)


We wish you best of luck. Stay safe and healthy.