This post was inspired by an Instagram GIF that said “Home Office” under a search for Corona Virus GIFs.

It’s been a couple weeks since the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the world is in a major panic mode.

This has begun to cripple a lot of businesses – small, medium, large. People have been asked to practice social distancing and stay home while we try to get rid of the virus.

As a business owner trying to comply with the preventative actions of not spreading the virus and you’ve somewhat become a couch potato, how do you keep your business going to avoid tanking now and by the time all of this is over?

Let’s look at a few points that will help you survive as a creative or business owner during the period of the Corona Virus:

Consider the Remote Work Option (If You Haven’t, that is)

During this period, it is most advisable to subscribe to the remote work option.

There are loads of free tools that will help you stay in touch with people you work with. Even while you are home keeping safe, these tools will help you keep working while you’re all in different locations.

This mostly means you and your team will work, communicate and deliver services online. Tools like Zoom and Slack will help you with video conferencing and monitoring who’s in charge of what and whether tasks are completed.

Communicate Clearly

The key to properly managing the situation is effective communication. It is important that you communicate with all of the relevant people involved in your business – employees, clients, partners/collaborators.

Employees: As it is important to stay in quarantine now, communicate with your employees and managers any changes in assignments, delivery procedures/methods, virtual meetings, etc.

Clients: As much as the pandemic is a serious issue, some clients may still demand physical meetings. Explain the reason to remain remote at this point in time.

The pandemic affects ALL of us, all over the world matter of fact. Be transparent about what your business is going through and how the Corona Virus has caused slight changes. Understanding clients will empathize with brands facing a crisis, as long as you communicate with them properly.

As Harvard Business Review reports, “When customers are separated from the work that’s being done behind the scenes to serve them, they appreciate the service less and then they value the service less.”

So, it is your duty to describe the steps you’re taking to mitigate risk and give them insight into the steps you’re taking to keep your business relationship running as much as you can manage pending when everyone can come out again.

Collaborators/Partners: Repeat the same conversation you had with your employees and clients with other people that you usually work collaboratively with.

Together you can even figure out how to make work easier without coming to a total shutdown or standstill.

Do Not Get Sloppy!

You are home now, but do not get lazy, disorderly, sloppy. This is not the time to be a slacker. There are tons of opportunities that can be seized during this time.

Wake up in the morning, dress up! Wear your power suit, wear that elaborate wig, put on that air and attitude of professionalism. Go to that corner that you’ve set up as temporary work station in your living room and make the most of the day by getting some work done on your laptop or mobile device.

This is the perfect opportunity to create tons of video about what you do, why you do, share some of your BTS processes – keep your brand in the minds of your audience and clients.

Keep Clearly Defined Working Hours

Know when you are working and when you are not. Just like you would when go and come from your physical office and meetings, stick to your regular hours.

It is easy to continue working after your regular working hours because you at home, but you should hold yourself accountable and knowing when you’ve done enough for the day! Be your own time manager, know when it’s time to clock out! When that time comes, put work away, recharge and start the next day with a fresh mind.

Read about the importance of disengaging, refueling and recharging here

Transitions in and Out of Work Are Still Important

Maintain your routines in and out of work. Still take time for coffee breaks, a brief workout session during the period you’d usually spend reading or listening to music on your way back home from the office.

Give your brain some time to relax and refuel every now and then before you ease into the next phase of work.

 

Above all, practice creative empathy… we are all in this together, protect others by protecting yourself. This pandemic is inclusive, if we are to prevail, we are to look out for each other – friends, family, clients, everybody!

Read How to Strategically Be the Solution here

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Written by: Faith John, Creative Director at The Kween Media

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