The obvious response to why small businesses should prepare for a lockdown in 2021 is that more restrictions are on the way. A large chunk of Europe has locked down again, and with a new variant of the virus on the loose, it’s only time before the government decides to follow suit.
However, it isn’t all doom and gloom for Mompreneurs who assume removing civil liberties will be bad for business. There are undoubtedly negative side-effects, yet there are positives to keep in mind, too.
When you do it right (by preparing), you have the potential to benefit from the following.
Tighter Security
As previous lockdowns have highlighted, there is a security issue with working from home.
With employees logging onto the same server, one which holds sensitive information, there are several backdoors for hackers to leverage.
Thankfully, being aware of the situation allows you to slam the entry points shut as you’re more likely to be proactive. As https://www.mwdata.net/ points out, cloud technology is better than most people realize as it’s flexible, scalable, and safe.
Still, you must hire a reputable outsourcer or create remote-working policies and guidelines in advance to get out in front of the issue.
Higher Productivity
Remote working isn’t for everyone, and as is the case in an office environment, some people will complain about the situation. But, the stats don’t lie, and https://blog.hubstaff.com/ reports that 65% of employees report a higher level of output when they work from home compared to being in a formal workplace.
Again, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all policy. Still, the fact that more than half of your team could benefit from the increased freedom is exciting.
The key is to communicate clearly to avoid pitfalls that will reduce productivity, such as using a CMS to ensure workers understand their daily responsibilities.
Lower Costs
Money matters will always be an issue for small businesses. After all, it doesn’t grow on trees. Therefore, finding new ways to reduce your expenses without cutting corners is imperative if you’re going to survive and thrive.
The good news is, the lockdown will do it for you automatically. By making people work from home, employers can save an estimated $22,000 per year. With these savings, you won’t have to worry about the size of your workforce. The more, the merrier when you can lower expensive overheads.
Image Credit: Pexels – CC0 Licence
A Holistic Approach
The term “holistic” and “business” don’t usually go hand-in-hand, although more companies are jumping on the eco-friendly bandwagon. You should, too, since a healthier outlook is better for the organization and your employees.
Firstly, team members are less stressed as a result of focusing on their wellbeing, and they don’t take as many sick days.
Secondly, the business’s CO2 footprint will be smaller with fewer people commuting to the office.
Thirdly, you can market these attributes to advertise the firm as modern and forward-thinking, two features customers look for in consumerism today.
Lockdown is an opportunity, not just a threat. With another one on the way, it might be your chance to take your business to the next level.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels – CC0 Licence
