Roadmap. It’s the latest buzzword on everybody’s lips.
Now that the government has set out its nationwide plan to get us out of lockdown, you need to start thinking about your business’ recovery. There’s been a lot of disruption over the last 12 months. But it’s time to take back control and start to navigate your way out of the crisis.
So, why not create your own business roadmap?
Here we offer a few suggestions to help you adjust and pave your way to success.
A business roadmap for COVID-19 recovery
Step 1: Get your cash flow in order
Do you understand the current health of your business?
If not, it’s time to stop burying your head in the sand and take a look at your finances. Establish how much cash and assets you have in the business at the moment. But also think about how your cash flow is likely to change over the next 3-6 months. Will you have any revenue coming in? What is your predicted expenditure? Will you be affected if government support comes to an end?
Having an accurate picture of your finances will help you to plan ahead and prepare for re-opening.
Step 2: Ensure your business is COVID-secure
To re-open safely, you’ll need to ensure your premises are COVID-secure.
Social distancing regulations are likely to be in place until at least June 2021. What’s more, face masks are now mandatory in most indoor settings. And, as the manager or owner of the business, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your clients, customers and employees comply.
Conduct a thorough risk assessment of your premises. Have you installed adequate handwashing facilities? Are your queue points at least two metres apart? Do you have adequate social distancing signage? If not, now is the time to act and invest in the materials you need to legally re-open.
Step 3: Attract fresh interest in your business
Of course, the key to your recovery is revenue.
After so many months of disruption and inactivity, how can you boost your sales? Try to think of ways to generate fresh interest in your business, and the products and services you offer. Perhaps you could introduce a new promotion? Or start an exciting marketing campaign?
One simple option is to update your business with new signage, such as a shop front sign or promotional window graphics. Detailed information on how signage can help to boost post-lockdown sales can be found in our previous blog. But in a nutshell, it’s all about breathing new life into your business premises and catching the eye of potential customers – both old and new.
Step 4: Embrace the new normal
COVID-19 has had a massive, potentially permanent, impact on the way people interact with businesses. For example, in a recent survey, people of all ages were found to be shopping online at a higher rate due to the crisis. And for your business to survive, you may need to adapt.
Could you provide a digital equivalent of your existing products or services? Is there a way for you to boost sales using digital tools? If not, what could you do to encourage people to visit in person?
Even with the vaccine roll-out in progress, COVID-19 isn’t going to suddenly disappear any time soon. So, rather than hoping things return to normal, it makes business sense to embrace the ‘new normal’ instead.
How can we help with your business roadmap?
Here at Vinyline Graphics, we can assist with your roadmap to recovery.
First and foremost, we offer a comprehensive range of social distancing signage and face mask signs, including wall panels, floor vinyls, safety screens, pull-up systems, A-boards, barriers, table displays and more. These can either be supplied as standard or personalised to feature your logo, brand colour, or graphics. And they’re an affordable way to make your premises COVID-secure.
We can also advise on the best ways to generate customer interest with signage. And assist in designing and creating brand new shop front signs and window graphics for your re-opening.
Recovering from the disruption of COVID-19 will be tough for everyone. But we’d love to help. To speak to a member of the team, and reach at least one checkpoint in your business roadmap, be sure to get in touch. You can either give us a call on 01744 756 644 or send an email to sales@vinyline.co.uk and we’ll get back to you.