There is no telling exactly how or when the COVID-19 (coronavirus 2019) pandemic will come to an end. Recently, the U.S. government has extended its recommendations for social/physical distancing, lockdowns, and non-essential business closures until the end of April, and some experts think these guidelines should extend further than that. 

No matter how long it takes, though, cities, states, and countries will eventually loosen restrictions and society will begin to function as it did not all that long ago. When this happens, businesses that have been shut down and survived this economic disruption will have to figure out how to resume their operations in a safe and practical manner. This, of course, will be easier said than done, but with the right approach, you can hit the ground running and use this unique time to transform your business for a new era.

Here are our tips for getting your space back up and running after COVID-19.

Take Advantage of a Temporary Shutdown: Invest in Renovations

In many regions across the U.S., businesses deemed “non-essential” have been asked or required to close their doors until further notice. For most of these companies, this downtime is devastating, resulting in major losses of revenue, worker layoffs, delayed production schedules, etc. However, this unexpected and frustrating pause doesn’t have to be all bad. In some ways, a temporary shutdown can be seen as an opportunity to invest in certain tasks that have otherwise been put off, including office cleaning, painting and maintenance, floor repair and coating, exterior painting, repairs and renovations, and more. An empty facility isn’t ideal in most scenarios, but it is ideal for getting these improvements done before returning to normal.

Update Your Strategies

This unprecedented time also presents an opportunity to evaluate and reconfigure your operational and marketing strategies. Using the data at your disposal, consider ways you can make your processes more efficient and reduce waste and unnecessary costs. Additionally, plan how you’ll market your products and services post-COVID-19, keeping in mind that customers and other businesses will have limited cash on hand. Expand your outreach campaigns and be transparent and open with your audience.

Learn from the Pandemic: Improve Preparedness

A crisis can be a cruel but powerful teacher. Indeed, COVID-19 has already taught societies much about their strengths and weaknesses, and there is still more to learn. Take these lessons into consideration moving forward; strengthen your commercial cleaning routine, consider partnering up with a disinfecting service provider, increase other health and safety protocols, stock up on PPE (personal protective equipment) in the case of emergency, establish a detailed plan for future potential outbreaks and other crises, and continue utilizing remote work if/when possible and practical. The more prepared your business is for whatever new problem may arise, the better.

If Possible, Recruit New People

Unemployment is one of the many harsh realities of the COVID-19 situation. The silver lining for some businesses is that, after the pandemic is over, jobs will be in high demand. Of course, not all businesses will need or even be able to hire new employees at this time. But if you’re looking for new recruits after COVID-19, this will be an ideal time to hire great people.

Look at the Long Term

Lastly, understand that getting back to “business as usual” will not actually be “business as usual” for a while. The economy and society at large will look quite different after COVID-19 than it did before. This means that your businesses might suddenly operate at a loss and/or encounter other financial struggles for a time. Other industries will be in the same boat. While these short-term losses and setbacks aren’t comfortable, keep your focus on the future. We will get through this, and the economy will gradually recover. If you hold steady, you can remain successful in the long run.

Painters USA and its division, K-Clean USA, can help your businesses make the most of this unexpected downtime. Let our painting and cleaning experts help you transform your facility so it’s ready to roll when this uncertain time finally passes. To learn more about our coronavirus cleaning offerings and other ways we can help you during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, call us at 1-800-999-8715.