How to help small businesses back on track?
Jo-Ann Rolle, Ph.d.
Past President, National HBCU Business Deans Roundtable. Ph.D. in Economics, Certified in Immersive Tech. 5+ yrs on Executive Committee, specialized in strategic corporate partnerships and workforce development
COV19 Retail deserts
Pre-pandemic there was much concern about the urban food deserts where the mere planning for a daily meal is a challenge because grocery stores and other related venues abandon massive areas at the urban core. COV19 has created an evolving challenge of growing retail deserts where small businesses are being evicted en masse. Most small businesses don't have the cash reserves to sustain long periods of inactivity. Others who have some savings, reserves, or who can yet get loans from community bankers are averse to spending as they have no predictions or forecasts of when the current mandates will be lifted.
Many cite government stimulus packages as help for everyone -- but for those brick and mortar businesses that are closed there are few options as consumer spending is on the classified essential functions and even some of those businesses e..g. gas stations, convenience stores, and take out restaurants are experiencing challenges from customers who just don't leave their homes anymore. So how can individuals support those businesses who do not have an online presence but are slowly testing the waters by delivering scaled-down partial services? Let's start with our own neighbors and our own neighborhood businesses. Being a good neighbor can extend beyond families and households, it can extend to your local florist, coffee shop, or fish market. I will list three things I have done with one of my favorite morning restaurants to help.
1. I take a drive a few days a week and stop to buy a cup of coffee.
2. I leave a bigger tip than normal and - the business owner (as the wait staff is gone) smiles
3. I take a delivery menu and promise to order something soon - even though my kitchen is well stocked.
Its up to us. What can you do to help your neighborhood small business recover now and Post-Pandemic?
AI Prompt Engineer | Specializing in AI-Driven Content Creation and Education Technology
4yJo-Ann Rolle, Ph.D. I can help them by: 1. Provide video solutions that will engage customers. 2. Develop video marketing strategies that encourages customers order ahead. 3. Create video campaigns that lets their customers know, WE ARE OPEN!!
CPA-Owner, Joseph L. Rosenberg CPA
4ylet's not forget the not for profit community for whom there were many opportunities to support in their fund raising efforts, too.
Executive Assistant for the Lakeshore General Hospital Foundation / Adjointe administrative La Fondation de l’Hôpital général du Lakeshore
4ythis is so true.
Stop walking on eggshells! Feel more seen, heard, and respected, without sounding like a jerk. I help people-pleasers find their voice and reclaim their power. ✪ Confidence Coaching ✪ Emotional CPR ✪ Family Dynamics
4yAs we've been in complete lockdown, we don't go anywhere. It's unfortunate. Don't even need gas. Our province is starting to open up and I'm already looking forward to grabbing some takeout, even if we can't sit in the restaurants.
Business & Property Entrepreneur, Director Incommsec Ltd, Founder of Anti-Coach solving problems with Mindset developing people from within, CEO and Co-Founder of Joint Commonwealth LTD.
4yGreat points Jo-Ann, firm believer in staying local, we live in an interconnected global community, yet we still live in one place we call home. Being a good neighbour is vital. I remember I once walked past an accountancy firm which had a poster in their window "support local business", so I called them and said 'hello I'm calling from a local IT company, just wanted....' before I could finish they cut in with 'not interested go away' and hung up. Made me laugh at the irony and I'm sure they meant to say "support us as a local business", but it is important we consider others where we are and in what we do.