Small Businesses coping with COVID-19 uncertainty
COVID-19 continues to spread very quickly around the world and almost every country has reported cases. With the rapid increase in COVID-19, the lives of people and their businesses have become uncertain. It has not only challenged health care systems, but also the livelihoods of the people and the stability of economies. Countries along with the business have been facing challenges and the questions on, how to restart the economy? what measures need to be addressed to restart safely? when to proceed and bring lives to normal?
The uncertainty remains and the impact it has on small businesses is very high. Small businesses across the country are already feeling its negative impact on their business. According to the data from the National Federation of Independent Business show, 74% of small businesses say they are not yet impacted by the pandemic, while 23% say they are being negatively affected. Just 3% report positive impacts. The group polled a random sample of 300 of its 300,000 members on Tuesday and Wednesday from employers with up to 120 workers. Of those who said they were not being impacted, nearly half anticipate the outbreak to affect their business if the virus spreads to or more broadly within their immediate area over the next three months.
Being a small business, we completely understand what you are going through. At the moment the businesses will need to plan more diligently on restarting their business. Officense can provide the tools you need to keep your firm operational during these trying times. Officense is rolling out special 30-Day Remote Work Plans which will allow firms to adapt to social distancing guidelines.
1.) Phone Answering
We assign you a dedicated phone number to forward your office phones to. Then, our live receptionists will answer your incoming calls with your custom greeting as if they are your own employees. They will screen callers for information, enabling them to forward each call to the right individual regardless of where they are working—at home, in another state, or overseas. Plans start at $89 per month for MSBA Members, with pricing to scale with call volume.
2.) Business Address, Private Mailbox, and Mail Forwarding Service
Enhance your business image with a professional private mailbox, and a prestigious business address with a suite number. We can forward your mail to your home or deliver it curbside if you prefer not to come into the building. Call us for special 30-day pricing.
3.) Virtual Reception and Administrative Support
Whatever type of front-office business service you need, we can provide. Bank visits, translations, transcriptions, copy/scan/fax, mail and email services, bookkeeping, billing and collections, notary public, and much more.
4.) Private Office Space and Conference Rooms
If you’ve been using public places, or even coworking space to meet with clients or associates, now’s the time to limit your exposure with a more secure, professional option. Our meeting rooms vary in size to suit your needs. And because we are a boutique firm, our office locations are smaller, there are no crowds, and all rooms are sanitized thoroughly after every meeting.
Additionally, OFFICENSE is offering free guidance to those applying for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). These loans are available to small businesses, as well as sole proprietors and independent contractors and a portion of the loan may be forgiven if firms maintain their staff and operations through the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information regarding remote work plans or guidance applying for SBA Paycheck Protection Loans contact OFFICENSE at 410-814-7500 or email info@officense.com.
