[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2020\/03\/09\/how-business-can-fight-covid-19\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2020\/03\/09\/how-business-can-fight-covid-19\/","headline":"19 Steps your business can take today to combat COVID-19","name":"19 Steps your business can take today to combat COVID-19","description":"Humanity and commerce are inextricably linked. Learn 19 actionable steps your business can take today to combat COVID-19. By embracing a spirit of flexibility and purposeful management, you'll find yourself more prepared and more supported for whatever may come.","datePublished":"2020-03-09","dateModified":"2021-07-27","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/contributor\/amanda-magee\/#Person","name":"Amanda Magee","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/contributor\/amanda-magee\/","identifier":383,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/31d192a92932f8061f51a1ebc0f27663f339079b63a5df3c859f0410e97e8775?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/31d192a92932f8061f51a1ebc0f27663f339079b63a5df3c859f0410e97e8775?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"The Future of Commerce","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo-foc-schema-app-1.png","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo-foc-schema-app-1.png","width":172,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/how-businesses-can-fight-COVID-19-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/how-businesses-can-fight-COVID-19-1.jpg","height":375,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2020\/03\/09\/how-business-can-fight-covid-19\/","about":[{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/commerce\/","name":"Commerce","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Commerce","http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q26643"]},"COVID-19 and Business",{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/marketing\/customer-engagement-marketing\/","name":"Customer Engagement","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Customer_engagement","http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q5196451"]},{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/customer-experience\/employee-engagement\/","name":"Employee Engagement","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Employee_engagement","http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q14937678"]},{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/purpose\/purpose-general\/","name":"Purpose","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Purpose"]},{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/commerce\/trends-commerce\/","name":"Trends","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fad","http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q787045"]}],"wordCount":832,"keywords":["COVID-19 | Coronavirus","Purpose-driven Business"],"articleBody":"Yes, this is a post sparked by COVID-19 and the Coronavirus. It isn’t to capitalize on tragedy; in fact, it’s a bit of\u00a0a shame on you\u00a0to the people who are still standing with locked knees, thinking that this has no bearing on what they do, how they do it, or with whom they partner.It’s long past time for us to acknowledge that business doesn’t operate in a vacuum. Humanity and commerce are inextricably linked.What does that have to do with a\u00a0public health emergency of international concern, you ask?It isn’t as if we aren’t capable of considering changes to the workplace or our process. We began tackling demands to evolve years ago when Millennials demonstrated a vastly different set of expectations as it pertains to flexibility. (That’s not to say that it’s been lightning fast, it\u00a0demands changes in policy and culture.)Now is the moment when we need to show up in the way of\u00a0protecting the herd. It isn’t just an act of compassion; it is a smart business move.The protocol for managing COVID-19 is, in many ways, a return to common sense:Wash your handsMonitor your healthDon’t take unnecessary risksConsider the well-being of yourself and others as you limit exposureIt also encourages strategies for accomplishing communication without travel, leveraging tools that exist.19 actions businesses can take TODAY to combat COVID-19Here are some\u00a0immediate actions\u00a0businesses can take to combat COVID-19:Strongly encourage employees with symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, aches or pains) to stay home.Cross-train staff to prepare for coverage gaps for essential functions.Dispel the notion that this condition attacks based on ethnicity.Enforce\u00a0hand washing\u00a0(20 seconds or more using soap)Maintain a distance of 3 feet from other people.Evaluate your sick policies to ensure that people can stay home (eg, don’t require a healthcare provider’s note)Remind everyone of the\u00a0coughing and sneezing etiquette.Stay on top of routine environmental cleaning (wipe off work surfaces, doorknobs, workstations)\u00a0.Evaluate options of flexible schedules to minimize overlap, and decrease time employees are in contact, determine if telecommuting can be incorporated.Reinforce that staff will not be penalized for staying home.Identify a space for separation if someone presents with symptoms.Devise a plan for transporting a sick employee to a health care facility.Post reminders of the prevention tactics.Minimize face-to-face meetings.Employ Skype, Zoom, Teams, calls, and emails for correspondence.Request documentation of meetings and travel plans to be able to track potential exposure.Replace the handshake with smiles and hellos.Create an\u00a0actionable plan\u00a0for if COVID-19 more severely impacts your business or community.Be confident, consistent, and open to new information as you navigate a situation with an unclear ending.Why does it matter if you are not at risk, and your work does not involve interfacing with the public? Because our health care system is over-stressed by the coronavirus.As different organizations work to keep their care staff healthy, to minimize exposure, they depend on the rest of us to do everything that we can to slow the spread.The higher our effectiveness at reducing the risk, the better chance health care systems have of building the protocol, and staffing to face this fast-spreading crisis.How COVID-19 is impacting businessThe other element to consider is how the spread of the virus may impact your business. Supply chain disruptions can be devastating. Take inventory of vendors, suppliers, and transport providers and forecast how a hit to their operation could impact your business. Take measures to stabilize your supply chain to mitigate future profit challenges.Communicate with customers, adjust sales goals, and collaborate with your teams to ensure that your invoicing and goal setting is as clear and manageable as the ways you are addressing health.Every business has to adapt to changing circumstances, how enthusiastically they do so is another matter.\u21e2 It’s innovation when we engage in developing frameworks to support our workforce and our partners.\u21e2\u00a0It’s strategic planning when we adapt to provide greater accessibility.\u21e2\u00a0It’s investing in the future to create more significant space for inclusion and participation.There are practical reasons for supporting your workforce. When employees feel seen, heard, and valued, there is a reflex of gratitude demonstrated in productivity, loyalty, and even in brand ambassadorship as they share the experience with peers.Establishing options for schedule, location, and compensation means that we can maximize resources and increase morale.There will never be a product or AI so significant that they eclipse the power of human connection.When you embrace a spirit of flexibility and purposeful management of the process, you will find yourself more ready and more supported for whatever may come. You’ll also save lives.Some of the most trusted sources in the world are sharing updates on COVID-19\u00a0HERE.  It’s a brave new world.Are you ready? "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2020","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2020\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"03","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2020\/\/03\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"09","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2020\/\/03\/\/09\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"19 Steps your business can take today to combat COVID-19","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2020\/03\/09\/how-business-can-fight-covid-19\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]