TIPS FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS DURING THIS TIME Open up a quick online store with a handful of your bestselling, high-demand products Encourage your local customers to DM (direct message) or call you to see if you are able to ship something to them Start to sell electronic gift certificates online for your customers to use at a later date Now is the time to start using that e-mail list. Directly communicate with your customers by letting them know how you are providing your products and/or services at this time If you are a service-based businesses such as a yoga or fitness studio and you are teaching free classes on live stream, consider accepting pay-what-you-can contributions. Most people will be happy to give what they can in exchange for the value you are providing them Stay glued to social media. It is an amazing gift right now because it allows you to stay in touch with your customers while your storefront is closed. Diligently respond to DMs (direct messages), emails and comments. Repost to your stories and post more frequently than usual. SAFETY CHECKLIST - FOR BUSINESSES For businesses whose operations are closed during this time, Police have created a safety checklist to ensure your business remains secure. Police recommend the following guidelines: Keep the lights on Remove ALL cash and receipts Do not leave any valuables clearly visible or accessible All safes and tills should be emptied and moved off-site for safe storage Keep all cash drawers open to show that nothing is in the drawers All ATM’s should be emptied and moved off-site for safe storage All alcohol products removed from bar and put in secured storage areas (no alcohol left visible from outside) Consider posting “NO CASH or Valuables on Premises” signage Deactivate all scheduled FOB door openings (ie. Cleaners, deliveries, etc) Disconnect all kitchen gas lines from their gas source Make regular site visits to monitor your shop/business and to manage inventory and storage conditions (consider scattering the times this is done to not establish a pattern) One moment please... Taking too long?