For those small businesses which have survived so far this year the prospect of a second lockdown is one which will no doubt strike fear. There are however some positive signs to bear in mind with regard to the potential lockdown and the first point is that this will not be as hard a lockdown as the first one. Another great point here is that small businesses can learn lessons from the previous lockdown. This is something recommended by business guru William West Seegmiller in order to ease the pressure and ensure that they have a clear route to survival and possibly even success during the next potential lockdown. 

If you are worried, here are some tips which could help you out.

Smell What is Selling 

There is a very real possibility that you will have to start selling things that you perhaps usually wouldn’t, simply to get some money coming in. We have already seen what type of products people love during this time, things for their home. Be it loungewear, board games or hobby accessories, businesses have already learned what their best sellers are. This is the first place for you to start if lockdown kicks in.

Gratitude 

Many of the businesses which have been doing well during this time are those who understand the gratitude which they have to show to customers. Not only does this help with long term reputation but it can also be something which keeps those customers coming back to you in the short term. This doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, just something which recognizes that customers are spending money in your business, when often they do no have to, especially when so many are financially tight. 

Taking on the Market

We have seen so many places go out of business and that means that there are customers there looking for a new supplier of goods. This is why it may be that you have to branch out into other areas to secure some more money coming in. 

Online Option 

Switching to an online system has been a godsend for so many small businesses this year and this is something which your business must consider using. The key here is to simply make your business accessible online, you don’t necessarily have to launch an online arm of your business. This could be something as simple as taking orders via WhatsApp or Facebook, anything that makes your business more accessible to the local consumer. 

Let Them Know 

Despite the giants like Amazon doing so well, we have seen a real shift in attention to small business and many consumers are trying hard to support them. As a small business you should be letting people know exactly who you are, as there is often confusion amongst consumers. This doesn’t have to be a big deal, a simple ‘thank you for supporting small business’ could be enough to remind people how grateful you are and to let them know that you are a small business. 

Employ some of these tips so that if we do see a second lockdown, you will be on the front  foot.