Businesses’ first reaction to COVID-19-related disruption was to retrench and protect — actions that were, essentially, reactive. While that may have been the wisest move in the short-term, it is no way to sustain a business over the long-term.
Even businesses that were proactive in their response must adjust to new realities in the economy and the business community going forward.
In Business Magazine asked experts in the business areas of banking, bankruptcy, employment, healthcare, insurance, marketing and technology — and federal programs for small business — to share their expertise on key operational facets that business decision makers need to know about getting back to business in a world that may show marked and lasting changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
They also recommended the following resources.
Bankruptcy
Turnaround Management Association, for a local directory of experienced bankruptcy attorneys to guide the complex legal analysis and process
Business Planning and Financial
Arizona Small Business Association’s business planning services, which provide a gateway to business planning and financial resources
Arizona Small Business Development Center Network, to help small-business owners get the business advice and guidance they need to be successful.
Association of Women’s Business Centers, to help small-business owners get the business advice and guidance they need to be successful.:
Local First Arizona, which offers a trove of tools, including business listing and workshops to networking opportunities and membership launch pads that assess your needs
Office of Veterans Business Development Resources (U .S. Small Business Administration), to help small-business owners get the business advice and guidance they need to be successful.
Payroll Protection Program, reopened but with deadline August 8)
SCORE (formerly Service Corp of Retired Executives), which provides business mentoring, and low and no-cost workshops from local business experts
U.S. Small Business Administration, to help small-business owners get the business advice and guidance they need to be successful
COVID-19: Business Regulations, Protocols and Guidelines
Arizona Commerce Authority, for keeping track of business regulations and protocols before and during reopening, updated regularly
Marsh & McLennan Agency Coronavirus Resource Center, for thought leadership, expert views, links to government sites and solutions and strategies to help them navigate COVID-19 challenges
The New York Times Coronavirus Outbreak site, for keeping track of business regulations and protocols before and during reopening, updated regularly
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
COVID-19: Healthcare
Arizona Department of Health Services
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) tool for reopening
Cigna resource center dedicated to offering resources and guidelines for individuals, families, employers, seniors and healthcare providers
Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which has extensive guidance and other resources on its website, including a number of frequently asked questions and answers, and specific guidance documents for ensuring safety in the workplace during the pandemic. The agency frequently updates its website, so employers should be sure to check back frequently or subscribe to updates
U.S. Department of Labor, which has a number of resources on its website relating to the pandemic, including links to fact sheets, a model workplace poster, a series of answers to frequently asked questions, and even a helpful tool for employees to determine whether they are eligible for FFCRA leave. The agency frequently updates its website, so employers should be sure to check back frequently or subscribe to updates
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which has a number of resources on its website, including a guide to Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act, and a frequently updated question-and-answer document entitled “What You Should Know about COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and other EEO Laws.” The agency frequently updates its website, so employers should be sure to check back frequently or subscribe to updates
Marketing
Freeman, longtime event experts
Hopin, which offers fun, innovative ways to break up larger groups and network 1:1 within its online platform
HubSpot, for inbound marketing, sales, and customer service
SharpSpring, offering best practices for digital campaigns
Messaging and sensitivity to Diversity & Inclusion, mental health and other social issues
Kiterocket’s blog, which is home a wealth of actionable topics, including reopening, inclusivity and employee communications
So You Want to Talk About It Instagram
Technology
Mural, a brainstorming tool for teams
Office 365 (specifically Teams for collaboration)
Salesforce, one of many good options for a customer relationship management (CRM) platform
