COVID-19 Challenges Us to Keep Working in Creative Workspaces 

Although we’ve all known that pandemics are possible, they have been considered outliers and rarely make it into risk logs or considered a driver for business continuity plans. With the onset of COVID-19, all that has changed. We are now dealing with a global event, one that has seriously strained our businesses (large or small, though our small business owners are being hit the hardest right now). It has also impacted our health organizations and layered hardships and significant economic impacts upon world populations. It has spurred governments into cooperation and into action. 

While we are not alarmists, we are realists at Skils Inc. Because of that, the harsh reality is that our communities are preparing for unemployment levels that may be worse than the Great Depression. As many of our parents and grandparents told us, “Plan for the worst and hope for the best.”  

So, how do small businesses and corporations guard themselves financially, professionally and personally when faced with isolation restrictions, quarantines, sick employees (and deaths – sigh), closures, and an interruption in their stream of income or supply chain? 

One way is through accelerating and expanding remote access and digital workspace solutions as alternative work modalities for broader sets of employees.  In fact, it is a market trend that has benefited organizations in a multitude of ways, not just in emergencies, for decades. The advent of the economic impacts of COVID-19 is simply amplifying the need for and the value of remote access by working from a remote office. Thankfully, your team at Skils Inc. is uniquely set up to implement this solution.

We realize that is not a viable solution for many businesses. It has, however, become heartwarming to see people come together in ways in which DO help the small business owner.

  • Those who can afford to give, are giving; those who are in need are graciously accepting (that’s hard to do!)
  • When cancelling an appointment (hair, nails, car repair, etc.) people are purchasing gift certificates/cards to use later, which keeps the business owner’s cash flow going
  • For vehicle repair shop owners, since many of them are still working and most of us are not driving anywhere while isolating ourselves, some people are scheduling their car maintenance that they’d been postponing. We would caution, however, that if you do this, maintain a safe social distance when dropping it off. When it is ready to be picked up, be sure to wipe down the door handles, steering wheel, etc. If you feel sick, please do NOT consider this idea. You could expose the owner and employees to the virus. If there is any question, consider pre-paying your mechanic for that tune-up when this crisis is over!
  • Many state departments and chamber of commerce offices throughout the country are providing resources for business owners though webinars and resources. 

In the great state of Montana, our staff at Skils Inc. is ready to serve you in spite of these challenges.

We’d also like to include a few links to some resources for the small business owner below:

Please stay safe and healthy, folks. We’re saying prayers for all of you, and we thank all of the men and women in healthcare who are assisting those who are severely ill. You are heroes.  

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