My Strategy For Surviving Coronavirus

By Graeme Leighfield, founder of GEL Studios based in South Marston, Swindon. The company has been going for six years offering web design, graphic design and marketing consultancy.

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

Announcement of school closures brought this home as this directly effects working availability of the team. 

What has been your plan to continue? 

The three Cs came into play. communication, containment, and confidence. Communicate our plans to our client base effectively, containment in terms of ensuring the safety and well being of my team and their loved ones and confidence. 

In these times its important for us to demonstrate confidence to our client base. And ensure them that when it comes to services that we provide, there is nothing to worry about.

We have always had contingency plans and we put them into practice. 

What advice would you give to others in business? 

Remain calm. Nothing is more sure than the fact that  bad decisions are made from a place of urgency and worry. Take a moment, a step back and think about the solution rationally. 

Many processes and functions can be performed remotely via a whole host of tools now readily available to all. Identify your key processes and systems, and make a list of things that are business-critical, and for all the others, communicate to your customers accordingly. 

Having a plan, and communicating it even if it might not be perfect, is better than having no plan, and leaving your customers wondering. Take the lead - and be the first to communicate!

What can we do to help each other?

Be sympathetic to others, treat them as you would wish to be treated.  Collaboration is the lifeblood of small business growth. If you help others in these times of hardship, it will be remembered. We have the daily announcements on for all to see in the office, knowledge is power. Ensuring that everyone has this knowledge is vital. We are safeguarding by working remotely for the duration of the crisis. 

What do you think can be learned from this in the business world?

Contingency planning is a vital part of running a sustainable business. We have had to use our contingency plans twice already due to previous break-ins. It's because of these plans that not only we survived these instances, but we learnt from them as well. 

Making a plan and thinking out worst-case scenarios and your actions don't have to take long. In times of worry it can be incredibly reassuring to know you've done this work in preparation.  

Your parting thought?

Don't be afraid to ask for help. There are many that want to offer support. Work may slow down, so try to fill it with personal development. A good book or two, a day of watching TED talks. Make time for all the little things in your business that you would normally be too busy to do. Above all else, try to remain positive.

For more information visit GEL https://www.gelstudios.co.uk