First of all, we need to accept that the Chinese virus is here to stay. So we need to adjust to the new way of doing business in order to survive. Here are my thoughts:
1) Business owners need to understand their customers. Most businesses do not have a customer avatar. They do not know the customer fears, their needs and what they consider to be essential. If anyone here can get access to data that will show how spending for Kenyans has changed over the last few weeks that would be a good starting point. For small business to survive, they need to understand what is essential to their customers and what is non-essential.
2) Having an online footprint is going to be the new normal. Companies will be having conferences online using zoom and such like stuff. So you as a small business owner you have to get an online presence. You will need to be on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, twitter etc. I read a book that said the benefit of having an online presence is that your business remains open 247.
3) Build a news media outlet within your industry. This is very easy. And I will give some examples. When people have questions regarding construction/real estate they will look for @RANDY $ or @a4architect . When people have questions about motoring they will look for @Wheelz . When people have queries about FTA and IPTV they look for @Meria or @Luther12 . Each one of us has a skill just that some are more quiet in teaching than others. Right now is the time to teach your skills. It's the time you go to a wider market like youtube, facebook, Instagram, twitter, linkedin etc and teach your skills. What are the benefits of teaching your skills? it boosts your thought leadership status, you become a news media outlet within your niche, you control the narrative. The good thing is that most of the news is available and all you have to do is to gather it and curate it to your audience. Once you become a news media outlet within your niche you will start getting business.
4) Consolidate! consolidate! consolidate!. I'm sure in your estate there are several, barbers, mpesa shops, wines and spirits etc. The fact is most small businesses go out of business during a recession. Now is the time to humble yourself and reach out to the person you are competing with and become partners. Remember a piece of the pie that is worth something is better than a big pie that is worth nothing.
1) Business owners need to understand their customers. Most businesses do not have a customer avatar. They do not know the customer fears, their needs and what they consider to be essential. If anyone here can get access to data that will show how spending for Kenyans has changed over the last few weeks that would be a good starting point. For small business to survive, they need to understand what is essential to their customers and what is non-essential.
2) Having an online footprint is going to be the new normal. Companies will be having conferences online using zoom and such like stuff. So you as a small business owner you have to get an online presence. You will need to be on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, twitter etc. I read a book that said the benefit of having an online presence is that your business remains open 247.
3) Build a news media outlet within your industry. This is very easy. And I will give some examples. When people have questions regarding construction/real estate they will look for @RANDY $ or @a4architect . When people have questions about motoring they will look for @Wheelz . When people have queries about FTA and IPTV they look for @Meria or @Luther12 . Each one of us has a skill just that some are more quiet in teaching than others. Right now is the time to teach your skills. It's the time you go to a wider market like youtube, facebook, Instagram, twitter, linkedin etc and teach your skills. What are the benefits of teaching your skills? it boosts your thought leadership status, you become a news media outlet within your niche, you control the narrative. The good thing is that most of the news is available and all you have to do is to gather it and curate it to your audience. Once you become a news media outlet within your niche you will start getting business.
4) Consolidate! consolidate! consolidate!. I'm sure in your estate there are several, barbers, mpesa shops, wines and spirits etc. The fact is most small businesses go out of business during a recession. Now is the time to humble yourself and reach out to the person you are competing with and become partners. Remember a piece of the pie that is worth something is better than a big pie that is worth nothing.
