The world is changing rapidly, but (flexible) planning is still important. Small business owners should be engaging in strategic planning that weighs different business and economic scenarios over the next two weeks, two months and six months. Since this pandemic emerged, it has changed our social and economic world on a daily basis.
Business Resiliency
As developments continue to unfold in response to the spread of COVID-19, we know many small businesses have questions about implications in the workplace and funding options to help bolster their businesses during this difficult time. On this page, we are compiling relevant tips and resources on business resiliency.
Worth
Pivoting Your Small Business Model to Survive the COVID-19 Crisis
Audience: Small Business Owners
Business.com
Pivoting Your Business in Response to COVID-19
All good pivots start with great questions. There are three business model aspects you should explore when deciding on potential pivots.
- Value proposition: What value do you deliver with your product or service?
- Value networks: How do you deliver and monetize your product or service?
- Target customers: Who receives and benefits from what you provide?
Audience: Small Business Owners, Non-profits
Pursuit
How Businesses are Pivoting
Don’t hesitate to call everyone you owe money to. Be honest and upfront. Ask your lender for a deferment or your landlord for a temporary hold on lease payments. Call your vendors. Ask them to be more flexible in their payment terms. Don’t carry this burden alone. Be honest with your employees and let them know what you’re going through. Tell them you’re fighting every day and have a plan to get through this.
Audience: Small Business Owners
Lendio
Building a Cash Reserve for Your Business
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of saving money for a rainy day. While thousands of small businesses closed permanently in the spring of 2020, the ones that had cash reserves on hand for emergencies fared much better—especially considering the hurdles and delays that came with government aid like the Paycheck Protection Program. It shouldn’t have taken a global pandemic for small businesses to see the value of having a cash reserve, but nonetheless, many owners are now more aware of the importance of financial stability.
Audience: Small Business Owners
Gannett Co., Inc
Shifting the Business to a New Strategy
Things to consider: Altering the process to deliver your product or service, changing how revenue is generated, developing a new product or product line and targeting different market segments.
Audience: Small Business Owners
Employee Retention Credit: The CARES Act
Tax Credit For Required Leave
This is a refundable tax credit for employers whose businesses were suspended due to a shutdown order or whose gross receipts dropped by more than 50 percent over the same time period last year. The credit is worth 50 percent of payrolls paid between March 13-December 31, 2020, up to a maximum of $10,000.
Audience: Small Business Owners, Employees, Non-profits
The City of Long Beach
Become a registered vendor
The City utilizes an online registration and bidding system to notify businesses of various bid opportunities, news, and updates. The electronic bidding system provides an easy and accessible way to bid documents. Registered companies will receive customized emails notifying them of specific bids, the ability to search for bids, and download documents.
Audience: Small Business Owners
eBay
Grow online with eBay
Register for a free eBay business account, and get access to benefits that make growing your business online easier than anywhere else, including:
- Zero listing fees on up to 200 listings per month.* Pay only when you sell.
- Powerful selling tools and insights.
- Access to eBay’s 185 million buyers worldwide.
- Virtual learning and development opportunities.
- Real-time advice and inspiration from fellow sellers and eBay staff in eBay Community.
Audience: Small Business Owners, Self-employed, Non-profits
City of Sacramento
City of Sacramento Economic Relief COVID-19
COVID-19 resources for Sacramento businesses
Audience: Small Business Owners
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - CDC
CDC Employer guidelines
Interim guidance for businesses and employers to plan, prepare and respond to coronavirus disease 2019
Audience: Small Business Owners