It is no longer news that the country has been in a state of instability for several days now, following the recent uprisings at several parts of the country on demonstrations and protests. The effect of this is so telling considering the fact that the whole world, Nigeria included, is still in the middle of a global pandemic.
Saying that these present issues have affected businesses negatively will be an understatement. Sadly, a lot of businesses have not been able to pick up sales after the COVID-19 induced lockdown was lifted, and some have even gone into oblivion. The ensuing protests in the last couple of days have also inadvertently affected many businesses.
In view of this, we have come up with practical suggestions that can help you keep your business running during this instability, and continue to generate the necessary income to keep you and your loved ones safe.
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Keep Your Business Safe: The first thing to do is ensure your business is safe. What does this mean? It’s not uncommon for miscreants and hoodlums to use instability as an opportunity for crimes and looting. If you have a physical store, and opening it will result in losses, please close it.
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Move Your Business Online: If you’ve not yet done so, now is the time to move your business online. This goes beyond building a website. This is the time to develop systems that can help you complete a sale even without opening a physical store. Social media is one of these tools that can be used effectively. There are also a couple of other free ones.
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Maintain Constant Communication with Customers: This is the time to constantly notify your customers that you are open for business at all times, as it's very easy for people to think your business is closed. Also let them know of any alternate channel for doing businesses you’ve set up. You can do this effectively using Bulk SMS.
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Take Active Interest in your Customers: We are humans first, before we are business owners. It is important during this period to show kind interest in your customers. Maintain contact with them at all times, asking how they and their loved ones are fairing. It has to be more than just sales and marketing.
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Keep an Up-to-Date Customer Data: Ensure you maintain an Up-to-Date information about all your customers. This will include, but not limited to phone numbers and email addresses.
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Synergize with other Businesses: If we are going to get out of this situation unscathed, it is imperative we utilize and take advantage of other business, both in our industry and outside. You can use other businesses to take up some of the risk that comes with opening a physical store. For example, if you need to deliver a product to a customer in an area where there is a crisis, you can use a courier instead of putting your own employees at avoidable risks.
Remember that a crisis or a state of instability need not be the end of the world or the end for your business. So many businesses are still staying afloat during this time, and yours doesn’t necessarily have to take a nose dive. We are confident the practical steps outlined above will help ensure that.
Do not hesitate to get back to us should you need further support on this.