Council Post: 15 Tips For Safe Post-Lockdown Operations

Lockdowns imposed by the coronavirus pandemic have seen many businesses shut their doors temporarily. Although businesses are now allowed to open doors again, there’s still the looming threat of the virus in the very air around us. Shoppers are coming back out, and businesses are operating tentatively, unsure of the future just yet.

As the pandemic has forced most businesses online, companies that are contemplating the possibility of reopening or have already opened need to approach the post-lockdown world with a bit of wariness. Many companies have already enforced simple “no mask, no service” rules even in places not mandated by legislation, while some companies have limited in-person visitors to half capacity.

Below, 15 entrepreneurs from Forbes Business Council talk about the practical methods that businesses can adopt to create a safe post-lockdown environment for shoppers in a time where Covid-19 is still a significant concern.

1. Practice Empathy And Patience

As is done in manufacturing, all businesses must strive for continuous improvement when it comes to Covid-19 safety best practices. What we were doing back in March may not be applicable to what is needed now, so we should all be open to making changes and sharing what we learn. Above all else, practice empathy and patience. – Carl Hung, Season Group

2. Listen To Employee Concerns

Listen to the concerns of your employees and make an earnest effort to help them feel comfortable in the workspace. If working from home is not an option or you know your team is significantly more productive when collaborating in person, get your team to focus on the purpose of what you are trying to accomplish. If they can obtain a fraction of your passion, they will be motivated to work. – Kevin Highmark, Capital Fund 1, LLC

Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?

3. Be Honest And Transparent

First of all, we must follow all community guidelines for safety. Aside from this, no business is a success without their team, and without the health of the team, there is no business. To thrive in these times, I have lunch daily with my team. I make fresh salads from my garden and we operate together as a family. The only way to survive is to be honest, open and transparent. – Kym Gold, Style Union Home

4. Minimize Physical Contact

Our home office used to be 60% remote before the pandemic. We have since learned that we can be 100% remote and our employees love it. My suggestion would be to reexamine what you thought you needed in terms of personal contact. In the light of the new reality that we all share today, are there ways that contact can be minimized to protect your employees as well as customers? – Rollis Fontenot III, HR Maximizer Inc

5. Keep As Much As You Can Online

To the degree that is possible, business owners need to move their businesses online. In this pandemic, customers are learning to interact virtually, thus reducing the need for exposure. Even if the product or service must be delivered in person, all the marketing, selling and collecting can be done online. Businesses will scale more easily. – Eduardo Cervantes, Corsa Security

6. Embrace A Data-Driven Work Environment

Whether it’s an office or a retail store, businesses should embrace a data-driven work environment. Data from depth-sensing units and internet of things devices provide insight into the flow and behavior of people so you know when the stockroom is clear or if it’s a good time to use the restroom. A tech-forward strategy will not only help navigate our current reality, it’s foundational for future efficiencies. – Matt Maher, M7 Innovations

7. Get Ready For Future Disruption

Make sure your business is as adaptable as it can be to future disruption. The only certainty is future uncertainty. Look at creative ways that your business can trade on or offline. Wherever possible, make sure your staff can work remotely if needed. Plan for the worst-case scenarios that may occur, and be as adaptable and creative as you can be. – Robert Prime, Prime And Jest Marketing Ltd

8. Acknowledge The Toll On Others

Redesigning your business plan so that you are acknowledging the mental, financial and emotional well-being of your consumers and employees is critical. Every business has been affected by the pandemic and it’s been a true test of resiliency. Adapting and pivoting is a chance to reinvent your vision, messaging and goals. View this as an opportunity to provide for one another. – Angela Reddix, ARDX

9. Do What Hospitals Are Doing

Whenever possible, do what hospitals are doing. Pandemic or not, infection prevention is critical in healthcare. Hospitals have done research and determined best practices. Some of these practices are remarkably easy and effective. We are all scrambling to reestablish peace of mind for our employees and customers, so look to healthcare. Saying “This is the technology hospitals use to prevent infections” will go a long way. – Elliot Kreitenberg, Germfalcon

10. Embrace AI And Cloud Technology

During the current global pandemic, business owners must embrace technology in order to survive and thrive under the current circumstances and well into the future. With AI and cloud technology, businesses can scale, engage existing and new customers and create exponential efficiencies, arriving at the ultimate goal of customer satisfaction. – George Sifakis, Ideagen Global

11. Adopt Remote Connectivity Tech

Adopting technology that can connect remote teams is something all businesses should look to implement in a post-Covid world. Using video conferencing tools like Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts, Zoom, as well as community tools like Slack can bring people together remotely as we look to return to normalcy in the way we conduct business. – Lorne Fade, VR Vision

12. Shift To An Abundance Mentality

There’s significant research into the power of an abundance mentality. Despite the powerful triggers for a scarcity mindset, entrepreneurs must stay open to what’s working or could be working at this time. It’s crucial to understand what you can afford, not just what you can’t afford. If we take the opportunity to shift our thinking, when we come out of it, we will be even stronger than we were. – Susan Hunt Stevens, WeSpire

13. Create An Exclusive Atmosphere

I would recommend creating an exclusive atmosphere. Because of the limited amount of people you can have in your store, you want to make sure those who do visit feel not only comfortable and safe, but also that they’re VIPs being handled with the utmost care. Make them feel like VIPs and safe at the same time. I believe this could bring more business as well as more credibility. – Sir Daniel Winn, Winn Slavin Fine Art

14. Partner With A Local Charity

Partnering with a local charity allows you to piggyback marketing by reaching their client/donor list. Provide a percentage of proceeds to their charitable organization and benefit from the increased foot traffic. Make sure you designate specific days for charities so you can properly allocate the funds to each charity. Photograph the event and make sure to include the business in your newsletter. – Joseph Semprevivo, MA, MS, Joseph’s Premier Real Estate, LLC

15. Default To A Social Distancing Culture

Change the default of your culture to social distancing. Make social distancing the norm to make it easier for your team to adapt. How? Arrange your desks and furniture so that people will automatically be six feet apart while working. Have a thermometer at the front door to prompt each teammate to make sure they have a low temperature before coming in. Have spare masks in case someone forgets theirs. – Sean Higgins, BetterYou