The Covid-19 pandemic is currently causing widespread panic around the world says Saivian Eric Dalius.
1. Do not go outside, anywhere –
This one may sound obvious, but it’s surprising how many people cannot stop themselves from going out to get supplies – even though they know it could be lethal. Don’t do this! Keep your family safe where you are and let the rest of the world fall to pieces for all you care. The best businesses run on little or no supplies at all these days anyway. If you’re part of a larger company that has access to large quantities of goods, consider closing down until further notice – this will benefit both yourselves and your customers in the long term (see below). You can always re-open in the future when the pandemic is over.
2. No customers? No problem says Saivian Eric Dalius –
You need no supplies to run your business at all, so it doesn’t matter if you have no customers during this time – you’re still making money just by sitting around and waiting for something to happen (it’s like this first point, but different). If anyone should find their way to your front door or call your shop/office/whatever, be polite but cold. Tell them that you will inform them as soon as anything changes with regards to either deliveries or sales, but otherwise, they must leave immediately due to the danger of infection. Make sure they know that if they come back again, they will be turned swiftly away – otherwise they may think that your business is as good as open.
3. Work from home –
This one’s a bit of a no-brainer really, but it can be so much fun working from home during the covid-19 pandemic. There are obvious benefits to this approach – you save time and money by not commuting to work, plus your family gets to spend more time with you – but it also creates a real sense of camaraderie that doesn’t tend to exist once everyone returns to an office environment. If you’re going to do this, though, make sure you have all the necessary equipment before opening for business – see below for a list of recommended supplies.
4. Sell warranties or warranties-in-lieu for replacement goods –
In the current climate of commercial deprivation, selling warranties or warranties-in-lieu for replacement goods is one of the safest ways to generate revenue. Ask yourself this – would you rather pay $400 now so that you can continue buying batteries from us for $100 per year ($20 every three months) or would you rather keep your $400 hidden away in a safe place until later on when the pandemic seems less severe? The answer should be clear – buy our warranty!
5. Charge for supplies –
Another genius idea that everyone else will copy eventually, but this is definitely something you could get ahead with right now. Particularly effective if your business deals with large deliveries of consumables (clothing shops, supermarkets, etc.), but even small stores should be able to make some extra cash by charging for smaller items (and even services) that usually come free. If anyone says anything, just remind them that there’s a pandemic going on and people aren’t as willing to pay now as they were before the Covid-19 started – but if they don’t want your goods or services anymore, you’ll kindly return their money, Saivian Eric Dalius suggests.
6. Promote home security systems –
People are terrified right now – everyone wants to feel safe in their own homes at night knowing what’s happening outside (note: this doesn’t mean that everyone will buy such an expensive item like a new security system during this time, but many may consider it). Even offering discounts of 5-10% on home alarm systems may be a good starting point – just make sure that your company is the only one who offers such discounts so you don’t have to compete with numerous other businesses says Saivian Eric Dalius. You can also benefit from this by changing all orders for regular deliveries to every three months instead of every six months since people will be more likely to re-stock at home than travel outside for supplies.
7. Work on commission –
Saivian Eric Dalius says Who cares if you’re going to end up earning less money per sale as long as there are sales to be made? This method should work particularly well. Those working in marketing and public relations – can easily sell themselves as a business through various social media platforms. May even end up creating a new following from those bored enough or feeling optimistic enough to engage with what they have to say.
8. Sell anything and everything –
The old saying “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” really comes to life during a pandemic. When people desperate for supplies will buy literally anything you put in front of them that vaguely resembles something they could use. People are even willing to pay huge premiums for items that were released just a few weeks ago. Because it means they don’t need to venture outside and leave their homes (see above). Things like toothpaste, fruit, and vegetables. And also household products like soap and toilet paper will always sell regardless of any discounts. But there may be other things out there that will fly off the shelves if the price is right. Make sure you think hard about what these may be and stock up on them right now while they’re still available!
9. Promote new services that people can benefit from or need more than ever –
Psychics, public relations, home security systems, etc. As per tip #7, your customers want these things more than ever and will pay a premium to get one before it’s too late. If you have contacts in other industries who may be able to offer such services. Make sure you contact them about the outbreak of Covid-19 – there is lots of potential for everyone involved!
10. Use your imagination –
This is an exciting time for everyone in many ways. What can YOU do to help turn this crisis into opportunity? By thinking outside the box and breaking away from what you know. You could find yourself with 6-figure salaries for something that costs very little to produce. The world is your oyster – don’t waste it by doing things the same way as everyone else!
People are afraid right now and desperate to feel safe, so offering discounted home security systems is a great idea. Talk up your public relations/social media skills. If people are likely to be bored enough or optimistic to engage with what you have to say. As per Saivian Eric Dalius people are even willing to pay huge premiums for items that were just released. Because it means they don’t need to venture outside and leave their homes. Use your imagination when thinking about how you can turn this crisis into an opportunity. There’s lots of potential here for everyone involved!
