With most regions in Ontario currently operating under Grey or Red Zone public health conditions, businesses everywhere are readying themselves for a spring season unlike any that has come before it. Having just crossed the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses are rethinking how they can deliver their products and services with long-term staff, customer, and corporate health in mind. The changing mindset is letting companies of all kinds deliver some creative solutions that everyone can learn from.
Below you’ll find 4 ways small businesses are innovating their way to success in 2021.
1. Hold Virtual Classes or Workshops
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many businesses were left scrambling to translate their core offerings into new decentralized and completely online formats. For many small businesses that provided services locally, the reduction in physical overhead and expanded reach to folks at home often proved to be a boon. Fast forward a few months later, and virtual, contact-less delivery is the new norm, with many often preferring to to go this route over visiting a physical location.
For businesses, that means refocusing efforts on delivering a great virtual experience for anything, whether it be classes, workshops, or online-only events. Last month, STER-OL Infection Control attended the first Virtual Business Expo with the City of Vaughan in a great example of how entire townships are rethinking virtual space. Companies of all sizes would do well to invest in building out this area.
2. Rapid Customer Service Responses
Being responsive to customer desires will always be a core principle for success. When people were encouraged to stay home to prevent the spread of illness, many found themselves with more time to browse, shop, and buy online, and that meant increased workload for businesses and their customer support staff. Anyone who has ever sat on hold for too long can tell you what a frustrating experience this can be.
Through social media and automated systems, however, small businesses helped lead the way to a new style of customer service. By being attentive, responsive, and engaging with customers on a first-hand basis, many businesses found a path to increased success during the pandemic. How can your business leverage these same tools to build capacity?
3. Pop-up Office Spaces
Sometimes, meeting in person is still the best way to make progress. That’s okay! As long as proper precautions are taken and guidelines are followed, there’s no reason why people can’t come together safely to complete and transaction or host a brainstorming session. Many businesses, however, are using this moment to rethink their office layouts and their corporate footprint. This has given rise to the pop-up office: a temporary space meant for only a few use-cases, where employees and customers can safely mingle for a specific reason or event before closing down. Pop-ups were often used to build hype for a product launch or campaign, but are now finding new life during COVID-19. Done correctly, they can be alluring to staff and customers alike.
4. Rethink Workplace Health & Safety
Traditional storefronts and office spaces certainly haven’t gone away, but they are being redefined. Changes to capacity, seating, and style are remaking the on-site experience – with hygiene being the central focus. While plastic barriers, hand sanitizer, and physical distancing remain crucial in overcoming the spread of illness, businesses must remain vigilant when it comes to keeping spaces clean and sterilized.
For its part, STER-OL Infection Control recently announced two new partnerships, one with GaiaDigits Inc., and another with A-TECH Engineering Ltd. to continue to offer enhanced sterilization services across the province. By taking advantage of SteraMist®, the most advanced sterilization product available, we have been able to help countless businesses keep their staff safe, their customers happy, and their businesses operating smoothly with almost zero downtime. Whether you operate a storefront, office space, or larger commercial facility, SteraMist® is the one innovation that companies big and small can use to see their way to success this spring.
Get a free quote today to have your businesses sterilized with SteraMist®.
