5 challenges businesses face during COVID-19, and how to overcome them

Editorial note: this article was written in May 2020 and advice directly relating to Government help schemes should be checked at the time of reading for accuracy.

As coronavirus continues to alter everyday life as we know it, some SMEs face the even tougher decision of battening down the hatches until further notice, or pivoting their business entirely so as to remain functional in whatever capacity possible. For some, neither option has been feasible; for others, an increase in demand – from hand sanitiser to homemade brownies – has rocked their supply chain in ways they never thought possible. While remote working may come second nature to some businesses, others have had to adapt quickly to this socially-distanced way of operating (and for many, that’s before they open their laptops). We explore five challenges businesses face right now, and the small steps that can be made to overcome them.

Self isolation: redefining the sick note

With ‘duvet days’ well and truly a thing of the past, businesses across the UK are radically addressing how to cope with mass employee absences – both now and in the future. If team members are remaining at home for self-isolation purposes, shielding as part of a vulnerable group, or seriously unwell with COVID-19 – what are the next steps for employers? Whatever the circumstances behind these absences, businesses should treat all coronavirus-related cases as a period of sick leave. Employers with 250 team members or less are required to provide the Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) of £95.85 for up to 28 weeks – two weeks of which can be reclaimed from the government. For businesses joining the UK furlough scheme, affected employees will continue to receive up to 80% of their monthly salaries (up to £2,500) until the end of October. As businesses start to rebuild, employers can then invite team members back to work on a part-time basis.

Did you know: Employees off for COVID-19 reasons still accrue statutory annual leave, which can also be taken during sick leave (if still working).

The home-school conundrum

From nursery-age toddlers to teenagers studying for exams, everyday school life has been put on hold since lockdown – resulting in yet another roadblock for parents and the businesses that employ them. To better support their teams, more and more companies are now embracing flexible working patterns to help employees who are simultaneously tasked with home-schooling their children. This way, team members can effectively manage the working day (whatever that may look like) around their home schedule – with the hope this would improve efficiency, and thus productivity in the long run. With regular check-ins and an up-beat approach to this shared challenge, businesses can make this new arrangement work for them. In the age of transparency, this also reminds us of the value of trust; if businesses show support for their employees now, they are more likely to work hard in the future.

Did you know: To help employers feel in control of the ‘new’ working day, timesheet software such as Harvest or Replicon can give a real-time review of employee time and the status of tasks, helping both parties keep tabs on productivity/capacity.

Stay at home, work from home

With social distancing showing no signs of slowing for the foreseeable future, working from home has (in many cases) offered companies the best solution to keeping teams afloat – and businesses fully operational. While many would have rejected such a proposition in the past due to lack of experience/inability to function, these unexpected times have prompted company owners to re-evaluate their strategies. When it comes to turbo-boosting communication (minus the need for endless phone calls), the integration of collaborative platforms like Microsoft Teams can help them adjust to the new norm. Working from home, while with its own unique challenges, also comes with its many advantages. With no central hub required, businesses have the potential to save vast amounts on renting office space; employees would also save on travel expenses, and remove the daily (often time-consuming) commute altogether.

Did you know: With the right training for employees, remote working ‘etiquette’ such as checking the camera, audio and network connection before joining a meeting could save all parties precious time, improving efficiency for smoother communications.

In this together: re-building morale

With significant adjustments to everyday life (both at work and at home) now the new normality – and with unprecedented times still yet ahead – team morale will have understandably taken a hit. For this reason, businesses should think about how to keep spirits high to ensure a happier team of future employees. While showing empathy by embracing flexible hours and remote working is a healthy start, small acts of kindness can make a big difference during an already stressful time. It would seem company owners are already taking care of employees in their own unique ways from afar, whether sending doughnuts in the post or hosting a weekly ‘pub quiz’ via Microsoft Teams or Zoom – but this shouldn’t stop now. Whatever shape or form, re-building morale can (and should) remain a priority so as to pave the way for a positive return to work, as and when that happens.

Did you know: While the future remains unclear, employees want to be kept in the loop. Therefore, it’s important to keep colleagues up to speed with greater clarity on a regular basis to improve communication – prioritising the wellbeing and morale of team members.

All systems go for a brighter outlook

With multiple distractions during this period of uncertainty, it’s never been more crucial for businesses from all sectors to adopt financial transparency so as to truly understand the present hurdles, and better prepare for the future. For those feeling disjointed – with employees self-isolating or furloughed – Oracle NetSuite financial management solution ensures the slick automation of processes and real-time visibility of finances for improved oversight, and support for both parties when it’s needed the most. NetSuite can also equip its users with the vital data they need to navigate the coming days/weeks/months via one single architecture for a leaner operation, both in the short and long-term. This helps businesses address and fix problems more swiftly, and learn from them as the economic landscape evolves.

Small-scale manufacturers may well be following in the footsteps of their tier-one counterparts (Ford, BMW, PSA) by re-starting operations in the coming weeks, so should also consider their current business systems and how manufacturing-specific application software could help deepen their operational insight, driving their business forward through these uncertain times.

Did you know: While the future may be hard to predict, businesses should focus their sights on the recovery phase, and what they can do to ease the journey. We’ve been holding roundtable events with our customers and our recent Software Surgery offered free, actionable advice on ERP solutions. If you missed out on this event, you can contact us for a 1-2-1 strategy call.