How Small Businesses Can Stay Ahead During Lockdown

As coronavirus pandemic disrupts businesses across the world, some small business owners in Nigeria have lamented how the lockdown was affecting them.

Nigeria recorded its first case of COVID-19 on February 27 and had since confirmed a total of 210 cases and 4 deaths as of today, April 4.

The rising cases of the dreaded disease had prompted the federal and state governments to declare a 14-day lockdown across the country, thereby forcing businesses to shut down.

A fashion designer Chika Nkem, who spoke to our correspondent said the lockdown had created a dark cloud over her business.

“I’m not working so much now because all shops to buy tailoring items like lining, zips etc are closed down,” she said.

Nkem however said before the lockdown, it was not any better as the prices of fashion accessories had doubled in price, making business harder.

On his part, a gadget vendor, Tony said due to the lockdown he was no longer in business because the services he offers were not among essential services exempted from the lockdown by the government.

“We are a new business with a lot of investment put in this year and a promising financial projection based on our revenue. But because of the virus, we have been out of business for almost 3 weeks and our fixed capital which is our rent is still counting. If we can’t sell, we can’t t make profit. If we can’t make profit, we can’t pay rent” he lamented.

However, in a chat with THE WHISTLER on how businesses could stay afloat amid the uncertainties created by the coronavirus pandemic, the head of NGAGE Media Global, Wisdom Etim, on Friday said it was almost impossible for businesses to keep sales up during the lockdown.

According to him “No one will be interested in buying anything that’s not food or health supplies right now.”

He however said instead of trying to raise sales during the pandemic, businesses should focus on keeping in touch with their customers and constantly reaffirming their commitment.

He further advised businesses such as bag and shoe vendors to engage in deals that would help sell out present stock, saying it is “better to lose 30% than 100.”

“Rethink what type of fashion needs people will have post-pandemic and create a pre-order module, ” he advised.

He also advised that during this transition from an office to a remote working environment, businesses could finally get some time to put their digital lives in order by learning new tech skills.

On the essential tech skills to be picked up by businesses, the Head of Operations at Dork Discovery Ltd, Daniel Adeniran said “I’ve particularly used a combination of google keep, slack, zoom and Skype for business to stay active with my team”

“ ‘When I work’ is an amazing tool, arguably the best I’ve seen for collaborative working.”

He explained that with this tool, business heads can create a virtual office,add staff and participants,give roles and monitor progress.

According to him, these tools were very versatile and could be used to suit any business.