Coronavirus has affected business around the world. Despite cases continuing to rise, people and companies should not panic. It is not too late for businesses to set up and emergency plan and prepare for a worsening outbreak. In Asia and Europe, some businesses are enforcing morning video chats to communicate with their workers and food-delivery companies, online video platforms and virtual private network providers are experiencing a rise on demands for their services.
While some businesses may be able to keep operating in some way, other companies will have to implement a plan B. Below you will find few things you can do now to keep your business running during these complicated times.
Coronavirus: advice for employers and employees
Communicate with staff
Talk about this pandemic with your employees. Many are very concerned about their health and how they can continue working as more things get shut down. It is important to listening what your team want to say and keep them informed about the latest updates. Try to obtain information only from credible and verified sources, reputable news outlets, government departments, or health professionals engaged in researching the virus.
Implement a remote work policy
The coronavirus crisis is encouraging companies to implement teleworking policies. A remote work policy is a key part of getting your remote workers on the same page and establishing specific measures for monitoring work, encouraging communication and get all team members to understand the workflow, how deadlines are communicated and extended, and what to do in case any unforeseen rise. By implementing flexible working arrangements, you will eliminate the possibility of transmission at the office and during commute
Invest in appropriate technology
While most people have a smartphone, a computer and an internet connection, some may not have enough bandwidth at home to do the kind of work they do at the office. Some companies may not be own the right collaboration tools to allow for remote work. Firstly, you should know learn the basics to effectively communicate with your remote employees. Secondly, you should review the best messaging and collaboration tools to select the most appropriate for your organization. To adequately support remote work, your IT department needs to invest in a chat tool, a video solution, and a mobile-friendly phone system.
Do not neglect network security
To work from home, your employees need have a powerful computer and implement a VPN (virtual private network) connection, which allows them to create a local network than can keep your team connected via the Internet. Open access to a company’s own network via the Internet is not advisable from a security point of view. A VPN network reduces this risk because protect access with an encrypted connection.
Create a disaster alertness policy
Many companies still have not planned for a crisis on this scale. A good plan will cover a number of things, including procedures and schedule around remote work. It should include measures such as how people should work from home and what tools they will need to get the job done, when to do meetings among other activities. It is also important to incorporate things such as insurance coverage for business closures or trip cancellations, and to determine how to get resources when no one is investing, what lines of credit are open, supply chain alternatives and more.
Keep common spaces clean at all times
If some our your premises are still open to the public, it is mandatory to keep offices and public spaces very clean.
Coronavirus symptoms are similar to a flu-like illness and include cough, fever, or shortness of breath, therefore, to avoid transmission; all surfaces and things that the people have come into contact with must be cleaned and disinfected.
Prepare for a faster recovery
Only six weeks after the initial outbreak, China seems to be in the early stages of recovery. Congestion delays currently stand at 73% of 2019 levels, up from 62% at the worst part of the epidemic and confidence appears to be coming back as seen in real estate transactions, which had fallen to 1% of 2019 levels but have since bounced back to 47%.
Conclusion
While COVID-19 appears to be getting worse around the world, the best thing business can do is to be proactive and do what they need to do to keep their doors open, even if their employees aren’t there. No one has a playbook for this but we can learn from what is happening in other countries and have a plan A and a plan B to deal with this pandemic without going into crisis.
