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As COVID-19 devastates businesses large and small, employers are being faced with a dreadful conundrum: should we stand down staff, cut hours, or make people’s roles redundant?

With flexible hours, lower overheads and the freedom to work when you are most productive, it’s no wonder there are nearly a million home-based businesses in Australia. But just like working from home, it’s not for everyone.

Shutdown restrictions triggered by the COVID-19 crisis have made ‘business as usual’ an impossibility for tens of thousands of enterprises around Australia. It’s a crisis of significant magnitude and a light at the end of the tunnel can be hard to see. Two small business owners who’ve weathered tough times before share their stories and the lessons they’ve learnt in their darkest hours.

Adapt, pivot, innovate, and change are all words we associate with our businesses nowadays. Adapt to the new market, pivot to online, innovate your offering, change your business model. The best time to do this was 12 months ago. The second-best time is right now.

Many organisations are asking their employees to work remotely to help slow down the spread of COVID-19 and to preserve the health and safety of their people. The change in working creates a new set of challenges for managers to support and stay connected with their new remote workforce.

We know many small businesses are facing a tough road ahead and may not be able to make their local Council or Water Authority rate payments. To help guide you through this difficult time, we have created a free downloadable template to help your business request either a waiver or deferral of your payments. 

The business world is changing daily thanks to COVID-19, leaving employers and their employees wondering how to function in the ‘new normal’ as we shift away from our regular office routine.

In a September 2020 survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, almost two-thirds (64%) of Australian businesses reported they had changed their business model due to the coronavirus.

Businesses across Australia may be either open or in and out of lockdown. COVID safe planning and risk assessments are still required to ensure a safe workplace.

For retail employers, keeping the workplace safe means not just looking after your workers, but protecting your customers and also the employees of suppliers restocking items. And more than that, it’s not only what you do, but what you’re seen to do, that will make your customers feel confident about coming into your store.