Council Post: Don’t Punish A Good Deed

In today’s society of economic uncertainty and government shutdowns, small business owners face their worst fears. While trying to navigate the new day-to-day, operations are struggling to keep their businesses afloat. While commercials and big-box slogans tell us we are all in this together, applying this concept to your small business involves the entire supply chain. It is going to take a collaborative effort to support and maintain the small businesses that make up our economy.

The government started a loan program to assist during the nationwide shutdowns with the intention to maintain employee payroll and keep small businesses from shutting their doors permanently. However, the crisis fund ran out quickly. Now thousands of companies are left waiting for assistance that is no longer available. Employers are being forced to cut hours or let employees go completely while balancing cash flow, personal illnesses and safety regulations. Inventory is sitting on the shelves losing value while business owners are unable to make sales or returns. Companies that offer services, like mine in the interior design industry, are now unable to perform day-to-day tasks.

The trouble for small businesses does not just affect the immediate business and staff, however. Instead, it carries on to hurt the manufacturers, consultants and other vendors that provide products and services. If one link breaks, it impacts the entire chain.

After we were forced to temporarily close our store due to our city’s stay-at-home order, I made it a priority to pay our invoices. I wanted to ensure that our vendors were compensated for their goods and not left with long-outstanding balances. At that time, I didn’t know when I might be allowed to return to my office to pay my bills again.

In most instances, we encountered examples of empathy and cooperation among our suppliers and vendors. As a gesture of appreciation, some manufacturers offered discounts or grace periods for companies that were applying payments to bills. Many appreciated that I was reaching out to them in an effort to settle bills. These examples of support within an industry truly represent just how much we need to rely on each other to get through this unprecedented time.

But we ran into a couple of manufacturers that were not only hesitant but refused entirely to offer any sort of help, even though my intent was for us to help each other. When I placed my calls to offer to settle bills, many of which were not even due at that time, I asked vendors if they would apply any incentives. Although we are a sound financial company, the request for an incentive was not a selfish one; many of our suppliers and manufacturers sell to other retailers. And with many of those retailers temporarily closed and not paying invoices, settling my bills when I didn’t need to would provide them with much-needed cash flow. Because, after all, if the manufacturers I purchase from go out of business, other businesses will suffer in the wake. And although several were willing and excited to work through his together, a few of them asked me why would they help. I asked them, “Why not?”

As a loyal and long-time client, I was taken aback when I discovered these companies were not actively supporting their clientele. Some even went so far as to think the request for a discount or grace period meant that our business was closing. And even though we have always paid on time, they canceled current orders and suspended our credit terms, which we worked many years to establish.

While I may not personally be in immediate need of grace periods or advances or participating in PPP assistance, thousands of small businesses are struggling. We need to find a way to support one another within our chain of business. Above all, in everything that you do, display kindness, and don’t punish small businesses for requesting assistance. Do what you can to help your loyal, longtime clients so you can keep your business relationships thriving during this difficult time.

When the world starts to gain some sort of normalcy again, some things will be forgotten. What will be remembered is the way we treated one another. I will remember the manufacturers that treated us with respect, loyalty and kindness, and your clients will, too. Decide today how you want to be remembered tomorrow.