My Strategy For Surviving Corona Virus

By Fiona Scott of Fiona Scott Media. Business reporter for Total Guide to Swindon and media consultant running her own business for 13 years.

When did you realise the Coronavirus could be a problem for you and your business? 

As an avid news hound, I knew it was coming our way - what I did not consider was that there might be a total lockdown of all services and such a restriction on our lives. I really only began to realise that was coming about a week before lockdown.    

What has been your plan to continue?  

My view was to try to keep going and to be open to trying new things.  I knew visibility would be key to all businesses from day one. The question was would they be willing to pay someone like me to help in the worst of times? 

I've been very lucky in that I've learned that the majority of my clients really value working with me and we've reached compromises in cases where it's clear a client's business has been hampered by lockdown. Some of my clients are working from home and still busy and have actually increased the amount of work they are doing with me. 

In all, I've lost four clients - two completely understandably and I suspect they will be back once they are allowed to reopen their premises. Two others did not approach the situation in a caring and compassionate manner  - so those two will not be joining my little tribe again, even if they want to. I think lockdown will mean that smaller business owners, particularly in the service sector, will be more choosy who they wish to work with. 

How have you changed your business as the weeks are passing? 

I've worked on new media strategies with my clients which has involved upping their online visibility and also valuing the media at this time - particularly locally. And it's worked.

I've been a guest speaker for various organisations online in a paid-for capacity which was an unexpected outcome. However people like me can offer good advice around visibility and that quickly became clear. 

I've also done various affordable online webinars to help people find ideas for planning their stories across the media, for blogging and social media and these have proved popular, averaging about 20 attendees per online event. In fact I've been asked to keep doing them to help with story ideas a month in advance. I probably will do this. 

What have you seen in business which is positive? 

Too much to list frankly. It's been fantastic to see. More collaboration and more caring. More sharing and engaging on social media to offer support if money is not changing hands. 

I've seen business owners change and move their businesses quickly to continue or to maintain turnover - and I admire that. I also admire those businesses which have helped with the Covid19 effort in any way. 

Once again this has proved to me that, in most cases, small business owners are among the most friendly, caring, compassionate, innovative, courageous people I have ever met, interviewed or filmed with. I'm proud to be one of them. 

What have you seen in business which has been negative? 

Most negative things I have seen are around a lack of care and compassion for others. A tone of voice which is arrogant or downright rude. People flouting their wealth while others are struggling, companies which have huge cash reserves or where founders live a champagne lifestyle but they are furloughing their staff or making them redundant. I believe brands which have been uncaring may pay a price for that. 

Also a lack of government support for the large number of business owners who are directors of limited companies  - this does include me, though others are in a far worse position. The refusal to support these business owners who are paid largely via dividends (which is legal) will have consequences when some will simply shut up shop once furloughing ends. I believe this one policy will lead to thousands of job losses. Sadly. 

What advice would you give to others in business? 

Be visible, share your stories and now as we ease out of lockdown, evidence how you are going to keep your staff, your clients or customers safe. Do this across all of your social media platforms, your website and via any media opportunity. Don't assume people will 'just' know.

Also seek to understand now the true value of PR as in Public Relations - if you've avoided marketing in this way. Now is the time. If you have to do it yourself, get some training.

What can we do to help each other? 

Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate with a huge dose of mutual respect. 

Your parting thought? 

As an extrovert I've found this period of time very, very mentally tough. More than I could have imagined. I do think many good things will come from this period of time and in Swindon, I appeal to every business owner to look to their own mental health and that of their team. Care for them more than you ever have. 

I also appeal to the wider Swindon community to Buy Local, Supply Local - what you need is right here and, if you don't know where, just ask for a recommendation. Let's use this as a moment where we can all pull together as a town to be more economically coherent. 

For more information visit https://www.fionascottmediaconsultancy.co.uk