Have lots of downtime in your business? Use that time to build your skills and learn more about your customers

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected businesses in Rwanda in many ways. Disruptions due to lockdowns and other measures to prevent the spread of the virus have meant that many businesses are pausing operations or seeing a strong downturn in the number of customers. Business owners the SME Response Clinic spoke with shared that they (and their employees!) are facing more downtime between customers.

Use that time to build your skills and learn more about your customers!

• Learn a new skill that will benefit your business. Many business owners are using this time to learn about social media marketing or customer relationship management. This will keep your mind occupied and give you new tools to reach customers now and when business picks back up again.
• Think about new ways to market products or to deliver. As physical gatherings are discouraged, create social media accounts for your business. Showcase your products and request your friends and family to share them with their networks. Provide an option of delivery if you can.
• Survey your customers. Business owners often forget to ask customers for feedback. Think of a few questions that would help you better plan your inventory or marketing campaigns and reach out to your customers to ask for answers. You can give them a call or ask a few questions via WhatsApp. Their feedback may give you new ideas or expose gaps in the product or service you are providing.
• Research new potential products for your business. Reach out to your suppliers and see if they have a new product or service. Ask your customers what they might want when business picks back up again. Then, test these new ideas on your social media accounts or via phone with your network.

Engage your employees in these strategies as well – working together enhances teamwork and can provide a sense of progress despite the restrictions that may be in place. Share any tips or feedback you have with us here: musa.kacheche@consumercentrix.ch.

With the discovery of the COVID-19 Delta variant in Rwanda, which spreads faster and with different symptoms, it is more important than ever to reinforce our hygiene efforts to protect ourselves and clients from infection.  

We know that the lockdown is ongoing, so fewer businesses are open; however, it is still very important to keep a few things in mind as you shop for essentials or run a business that provides essentials:  

• Wear a mask, and, if you are a business owner, ensure that everyone (customers, suppliers, and employees) is wearing masks at all times.  
• Wash your hands, and, if you are a business owner, provide handwashing or sanitizing facilities at the entry of your business premises or shop. If possible, disinfect places where your business partners and customers frequently convene, such as counters and reception desks. 

• Avoid touching your face because the virus can enter your body through the nose, mouth and eyes. Since it may be hard to ignore that disturbing itch in your eye, try to wash your hands regularly before touching your face.  
• Maintain distance, and, if you are a business owner, ensure that your employees and clients maintain distance (preferably 1.5-2meters) while interacting. This is because the virus can travel through respiratory particles at a shorter distance from one person to another. 
• If your business has many employees, assign their duties to be performed in shifts and offer different periods for breaks (tea and lunch) to avoid many people gathering in one place.  
• Encourage your employees to monitor their health. If one notices COVID-19 symptoms, do not allow them to work from the business premises unless they provide negative COVID-19 test results. Regularly check on them and ask how they are doing.  
• When accepting payment from clients, provide an option for digital payment to avoid contact with money to reduce chances of infection. 

We can only stop the pandemic if we all join efforts in preventing COVID-19 infection in our homes and businesses.  

The SME spoke with Ruzindana Gerald, a nutritionist from Amazon Nutrition Cabinet, a business supporting people with healthy nutritional practices to promote physical and mental wellness. Gerald shared some of the common challenges entrepreneurs have faced in recent months due to the pandemic and tips entrepreneurs can use to mitigate those challenges. These include:   

• Disruption to normal routines for example lesser operating hours due to curfew. This may make it hard to meet deadlines, find time to efficiently and productively serve your clients or even take breaks for re-energizing.   
• Rising anxiety and stress from situations you cannot control. For example, irrespective of the current situation, you still have to deal with expenses such as rent, salaries, and taxes.  

• Lack of concentration or a sense of not knowing what to focus on next due to lesser interactions with clients and suppliers.  
• Negative effects on our health or state of mind such as  

• • Loss or increase of appetite and craving 
  • Changes in our mood due to loneliness at the workplace or working remotely 
  • Inability to sleep arising from stress and anxiety  

• • Decrease in physical activity due to periodic lockdowns 

To mitigate these challenges, Gerald suggested tips that would help entrepreneurs make better decisions, lead employees and make changes to survive the pandemic and ongoing lockdown. They include:  

• Try to rise at the same time each day and organize your day including time for work, meals, light exercise, and family obligations. Try to go to sleep at the same time each night.  
• Carve out time for exercise – even 20 minutes of light stretching, a short walk, or even dancing at home can help clear your mind.  
• Make sure you make time for meals and try to eat healthy foods when you can. Some examples of healthy foods are vegetables and fruits. These can help boost your immunity, giving you more energy to run your business.  

• Reach out to your networks. Send messages, make calls, or video chat when you can with your friends and family. Checking in with your clients, employees, and suppliers to see how they are doing will also go a long way! Share your own thoughts and experiences so that they feel connected, too.  

These are just a few tips – different things work for different people, so try things out and see what works for you.  

For more information contact: Tel: +250 784 465 520

Email: ruzindanagerald@gmail.com