This post is for business owners, freelancers, remote workers and/or those with a business idea they are in the middle of validating, researching or exploring.
Who have had to close their premises, cancel events, scale back their operations and start working exclusively from home, due to social distancing.
I’m thinking of you.
With your current reality looking completely different today than it did weeks ago, I am not going to tell you what to do because only you will know what is right for you, right now.
Your health is of the utmost importance and in these times, you won’t be working 24/7 on/in your business because you are also most likely caring for your loved ones, community and/or those in need.
I won’t advise you to completely change your business model, move everything online or develop a new offering.
What I would like to share are a few ideas and existing resources, as you work behind the scenes in your business, which may help to bolster any foundations you already have or put in place some if they don’t currently exist.
I have also created a free Time Blocking Made Easy template for you to help with structuring your days and avoid overwhelm.
These tasks can mostly be done in short windows of time because they don’t require deep work (long periods of concentration).
Some timely resources for Canadian businesses as the programming and supports made available roll out as it relates to your:
Finance and Operations
‘Tis income tax filing season if you’re in Canada. Sort your receipts. Record your bookkeeping entries. Prepare your accounts for your accountant and if you don’t have a regular one, search for an accredited one online.
On March 18th, the Federal Government announced support for Canadians in response to COVID-19, which covers income, extended tax filing and payment deadlines, mortgage management tools and specific support for small business.
numbercrunch Inc., a team of virtual CFOs, Controllers and Bookkeepers recently published a blog post which covers 7 Steps for Small Businesses to Mitigate the Financial Impact of COVID-19.
Have you recently explored small business funding or lending programs in Canada and Ontario? The Federal Government announcement this week includes a temporary wage subsidy up to a maximum of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer.
The Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) will be executed through Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC), to provide more than $10 billion to SMEs. The link above from March 18th contains further details.
Marketing and Sales
Communication is key in times like this. From a strategic perspective: If you have a team of people reporting into you, compassion is essential, as is sticking to the facts. Clarity, consistency and transparency will all need to be used across your verbal, written and visual communications. This article on building trust in an untrustworthy world outlines steps leaders take in times of crisis.
When it comes to your operational marketing communications plans, can you work on batching your content creation for the next month or quarter (newsletters, social media, blog posts, website updates)? Stay connected with your audience, while maintaining your brand.
Likewise, examine any planned or scheduled content or sales launches which need to be paused, edited or cancelled in light of the pandemic. If your messaging doesn’t factor current affairs in, you may upset customers or lose them altogether.
If your business is still open to the public and can continue operating in the current state of emergency (declared in Ontario), check out the Federal Government’s Resources for Canadian Businesses: COVID-19.
Download a copy of our free Time Blocking Made Easy Template
Prioritize Your Week + Avoid Overwhelm
Enter your details here to receive our template which includes:
- 30 time blocking ideas for your home, work and self;
- a sample weekly time blocking calendar; and
- a blank weekly time blocking calendar template
It’s a simple template to read and adapt to your needs.
It has been written from the perspective of a parent of two kids ones under age four, who has been working remotely and from home for the past six years.
I don’t follow someone else’s formula, I do what is right for me and encourage you to do the same, adjusting to your personal circumstances.
Stay well as it relates to your overall health and well-informed as it relates to existing supports for your family and your business.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch via the comments below or email: contact[at]amymaureenlynch.com if you have feedback or questions.
Best wishes always,
– Amy (+ Family)
Flexible + Remote Work Resources For You:
SHOP Products + Online Courses
• Short Online Course – Mixing Babies And Business: 3 Ways To Make Remote Work More Productive For You (+ Your Family) [LEARN MORE]
• NEW Book – Startup Blogging: Validate A Business Idea and Build Your Audience [LEARN MORE]
• Online Course – Based on the book Startup Blogging: Validate A Business Idea and Build Your Audience [JOIN THE WAITLIST]
FREE Digital Resources, Templates + Guides
• Template – Remote Work (With Kids) Time Blocking Made Easy [LEARN MORE]
• Guide – Babies + Business Mini Guide To Navigating The Corporate Jungle (With Kids) [LEARN MORE]
Notes From Another Land 