It’s a great time of year to get ahead of the curve and maximise the opportunities are that are available in the marketplace.

General uncertainty about Covid-19 can have a dampening effect on the market – depending on the products and services you deliver. Everyone wants to know:

• When will we get the vaccine?

• Will there be more flare-ups and border closures?

• What will happen with JobKeeper?

• How can I stay safe and healthy, avoiding Covid-19?

All of these questions create uncertainty in the mind of your clients. However, there are still things you can do which will put you ahead of the pack. Planning can help your business be stronger and better prepared. Here are some suggested activities:

Plan a three-month social media schedule, so there’s no last-minute stress and uncertainty about what you are going to post. Think about all the milestones you want to hit in 2021 and how you can use your marketing to get your messages and offers out there.

Set out a plan of business goals and activities you want to have in place. Decide what are you aiming to achieve in the next 90 days.

Ensure your website is up to date and accurate – as people will rely on this information to contact you, make enquiries or assess your offering. Are there any features that will help to create leads that you could add?

Assess your projected income and outgoing cash flow. If income has reduced, look at how you can save money and negotiate extensions to payment terms.

Could you be offering add-on services or pivoting into e-commerce or other new products and services? How about taking advantage of the new Facebook Marketplace?

Keep an eye on your overdue invoices and act quickly to collect payments.

Create special deals and packages that are seasonal or related to special days (such as Valentines Day or Mothers Day), to increase cashflow.

Acknowledge loyalty from your clients and employees by giving them small gifts as a token of your appreciation.

Check what assistance you may be eligible for if you’ve been impacted (directly or indirectly) by drought or bushfires - https://mybusiness.service.nsw.gov.au

I hope these suggestions will prompt you to consider how you can be better prepared to reduce the stress and overall impact of Covid-19. Time spent planning is never wasted, especially when you can ensure that your business is performing at its best.

If you need help with your business, please do get in touch.