Navigating Your Event Services Business during the Coronavirus

*Please Note:  This advice is not meant to be legal advice as the legalities will differ based on your location and because we aren't a law office but a service provider for the Event Services Industry.*

In case you somehow haven't heard, there's a virus spreading in the world that is causing many countries to close their borders, cancel events, and change the way business and education is done.  This is going to drastically affect your business.  However, it can actually greatly improve your business IF several things are done in a timely manner:

1. Make your workdays done completely remotely.  Except for the actual event preparation itself (which may not even be going on now anyways since many places have a strict limit on the number of people at events), it's very easy to have your staff work from home.  It's almost 100% sure that your staff has Internet and some sort of a computer at home.  Video calls (or just regular telephone calls) and teleconferences can be as effective as face-to-face meetings.  In order to stop the spread of the virus, it's highly suggested that you implement remote working ASAP in your business.  Whether it's a large team or a small team, it's important to secure their (and your) well being.  If you don't already use a project management software, there are plenty to choose from, even with great pricing for teams.  One I personally highly recommend is Freedcamp, but you'll be sure to find one that works well.  If your email is through Google's G Suite, they have offered the Business version of their Google Hangouts Meet for those who use their cheapest plan, and it allows more people to be on the meeting (this is done for the next while to encourage teams to start working remotely).  Loom (a great video tool) has increased the number of videos you can record on their free plan and has changed the price of their paid version from $10 to $5 per month per user.  There are plenty of others who have made their options more affordable to help businesses navigate this timeframe.  You may even decide to remain a remote team in the future, saving you office rent and utilities (directly giving you more money into your business), but for now it's essential to go this route, for your team especially.
2. Start working on your Marketing.  If you don't already have a plan for your Marketing, now's the exact time to start.  Marketing takes a lot of time to implement, as it is a long-term strategy, not a short-term strategy, to grow your business.  We offer 4 packages for the Event Services industry, and it's time for you to look into what strategies you can use to grow your business now, while you will have the time.
3. Keep in touch with your clients.  For events that are scheduled, assure your clients that you are still wanting to help them, but encourage them to delay the event, if they are looking to you for advice.  If they cancel your services, be sure to be strict about your own cancellation policies, even during this hard time (unless your business can afford to stay in business if you lose several clients at once).  Encourage them to just postpone the event and take the leadership on this, assuring them that there can be a delay on the event and it be OK.  Make sure to protect your staff if the event isn't cancelled or delayed.  Also, if you're the main contact with the venue, try to keep up to date with your contact person at the venue to find out any changes that will be made for their events (and relay that information ASAP to whoever you have under you).  Also, be on top of the laws and guidelines that are in place in the location where you are.  As a business owner, you have a lot of people looking to you for your leadership, and your efforts may well pay off in a client's review of your company, as people will for sure remember the event for years to come since it's during a pandemic, and their reviews will be even more important since they will tell others how your business handles itself during a trying time.  Give them an event that went well despite the pandemic, and they will want to promote your business even more.
4. Keep your employees motivated.  They are certainly even more concerned than you.  They have to think whether they should stay at home (at the risk of their job) or risk going to work and are perhaps even wondering if your business will be staying in business or if they'll have to find another job during this time.  Make sure to keep them up to date on your decisions as soon as you can.  Only use necessary staff (or the promised staff) during the events and consider increasing the amount of money (or giving a bonus) for your staff on the ground during the actual events (whatever is done at the venue and during the event itself).  Be sure that they have the necessary tools to protect themselves (masks if needed, plenty of hand sanitizer, etc).
5. Make sure to not get too stressed.  Yes, it's a hard time right now, but think about the fact that, in other times in history, people have gone through even harder times (and survived)!  Take time away from the business, take time for God (reading the Bible and prayer), and keeping up with friends (even if it's just through the phone).

Are you implementing any of these tips?  If so, please tell us about your company in the comments and how you're navigating your business during this time.