Around the globe, small business owners are experiencing a changing world and shift in the way they are now doing business. Many businesses that provide us with food, health, and safety, or online learning and entertainment are now booming and profiting during this time of crisis.
While many businesses are struggling to survive; here are five creative companies that are adapting during COVID-19.
These companies have moved quickly to pivot how they will serve their audience now and help them to survive during these uncertain times. Some businesses are entirely shifting their offerings to serve their customers. Some are finding new ways to deliver their existing services, and others are staying connected to their clients with online appointments and video conferencing.
Portable Electric, a cleantech company, supplies portable power stations that are typically used by the film and event industries. They have shifted their business to provide their battery electric power to healthcare and emergency services. Portable Electric is helping by providing critical power to temporary triage centres, pop up clinics, and mobile testing clinics.
Glass Bookshop a business founded by Jason Purcell and Matthew Stepanic, a company fairly new to Edmonton Alberta, that focuses on Canadian writing and independent publishers. After having to close their doors they were swift in changing their service to offer delivery to local homes for free. “To encourage folks to social distance and self-isolate, we thought it would be a good idea to offer free shipping to those who still wanted a book while they were doing so,” Matthew says.
Kidadl an online platform for discovering and booking family events and experiences found a way to pivot their services and provide its community of parents in self-isolation with new ways of providing ideas and inspiration for at home learning and fun. They now offer over 1500 free activities and resources to make life a little easier for families. They were able to get their team creating content that parents needed so desperately during the lockdown. This change has paid off with Kidadl’s site visits increasing by 500%*. *source article Forbes
My client, Brian Fletcher owner of Alair Homes South Etobicoke, a custom home and renovation company has created an offer to help his clients and prospective clients who are spending more time in their homes, thinking about all the things they have been dreaming of changing. While it may not be time to physically start a new project, Alair Homes South Etobicoke is offering to do project floor plans for free during the mandatory quarantine. This gives the homeowner a chance to realize the possibilities and the approximate budget of a project. It’s a win-win for the homeowner and the business, who is now drumming up new prospects and building brand awareness.
Toronto Guitar School and Mint Music company founder and friend of mine, Glen Alan, didn’t waste any time pivoting his business to make sure he took care of both his existing customers and keep his staff employed. He turned as many of his classes into virtual learning by providing his instructors and students with the equipment they required to continue their learning online. Glen realized early that people would want to and need to spend their time doing something productive and fun. Continuing to learn an instrument helped people feel like they were accomplishing something and enjoying some extra time to do just that.
Does your small business need to pivot? Is there a way to move to an online format to work with your clients and customers? Make use of the many online video services to continue to meet and make appointments? Can you provide your services with an online course or paid membership? Many companies can pivot their offering easier than they think.
This is not a time to hibernate; it is a time to be building brand awareness and continuing to show up to your audience that you want to continue serving in the future.