4 Ways Businesses are Adapting to the Covid Crisis
And hopefully this is just the beginning…
2020 has definitely been a formidable year for everyone worldwide. Individuals and businesses alike have had comes to grips with the challenge of learning news ways to not only survive but thrive. Sadly, some businesses weren’t able to come up with solutions quickly enough to give them a chance.
Bankruptcy Filings
Major companies filed Chapter 11 because of Covid 19¹
There are quite a few major companies that surprisingly weren’t able to adapt. 24 Hour Fitness, Aeroméxico, Blue Air, Cirque de Soleil, Gold’s Gym, Hertz Car Rentals, Pier 1, and Virgin Australia, just to name a few. Sadly, there are many, many more.
Last month I wrote an article explaining the need for companies to learn how to adapt to the Coronavirus and all of its obstacles.
On the Bright Side
Some company leaders learned to do business in a different way
Since it seems like Covid 19 will remain an issue for the foreseeable future, discovering new ways to run a business and keep it going seems indisputable. The leaders in the businesses below have confronted this challenge and are making headway.
Restaurants
Besides the restaurants losing their employees because of the Coronavirus shut down, many restaurants also lost hundreds to thousands of dollars’ worth of food. Several restaurants decided to donate their food to local charities and food banks. Others figured out how to operate with take-out only and delivery options.
One restaurant went a step further. Soul Taco in Richmond Virginia not only switched to take-out and delivery, they realized that they wanted to help out their community as well.
They converted their dining room into a pop-up grocery store so people wouldn’t have to brave supermarkets. They also started selling family meal kits for taco night².
Museums
Most of the attractions around the world have had to shut down indefinitely. Determining how to accomplish safe social distancing at Disney World seems like a daunting task. Movie theaters, national parks, sporting events, even the Vatican; nothing is immune.
There are over 2,500 museums around the world that offer virtual tours³, but that wasn’t something that was promoted as much as it is now during this pandemic. Twelve of the most well-known museums and art galleries across the United States offer virtual tours, and many have added more tours to entice individuals and families to check them out.
The American Museum of Natural History in New York City (yes, the one featured in the movie Night at the Museum) offers 3 virtual tours, plus has specific topics grouped together for easier navigation. The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston boasts 16 online virtual tours.
The J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles also offers 16 virtual tours, while the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art (The MET) has an impressive 26 virtual tours available.
Hotels
Indubitably, the travel industry has taken a big hit during the Covid 19 shutdown. Airlines, cruise lines, trains, motels, hotels, pretty much everything travel-related came to a complete stop in March of this year. Most of them are still scrambling to figure out how to survive.
Some are coming up with new strategies. Airlines are switching to cargo-only flights. While cruise lines are still not operating at the time of this writing, they are determining new protocols for when they are able to start sailing again.
While reservations at hotels are way down, there are some hotel marketing teams that have discovered inventive ways to increase revenue. Red Roof Inn has taken into consideration the newly work-from-home employees’ situation and has come up with the Work Under Our Roof⁴ initiative.
Under this new program, workers can rent rooms that have been made into makeshift office spaces for as little as $29 a day. Up to 2 people can rent the room (to work within the social distancing guidelines), and pets are allowed free of charge.
Concerts
Outdoor venues have also struggled with the Coronavirus pandemic. The gathering of large crowds squished together to enjoy a live concert seems to be something of the past. Yes, many artists have gone the way of virtual shows, even livestreaming music concerts for their grateful fans.
But nothing can replace the experience of hearing your favorite band play live with thousands of likeminded fans. Luckily for all of us music fans out here, the Virgin Money Unity Arena has stepped up to the plate and is crushing this pandemic challenge.
Based in the UK, this company has introduced the world to its first socially distant concert⁵. 500 raised metal platforms were placed in the arena, allowing groups of 5 in each platform to sit and watch the concert. Food and drinks were ordered ahead of time by the concert goers, to be picked up or delivered upon arrival.
“This feels like a unique opportunity to celebrate music and all the wonderful emotions that come with experiencing it live alongside other music fans” — Helen Page, Virgin Money’s group brand and marketing director
The Future Looks Brighter
Positive outlook for post-pandemic life
I want to believe that these 4 examples are just the tip of the iceberg of new innovations and creative ways to adapt to a new way of life. Most of the news on television and on the Internet is so negative, dare I say doomsday-ish. Stumbling upon these intriguing, unique to solutions gives me hope that things will get better.
Here is wishing good health and happiness to everyone who reads this article! I thank you for your time.
Footnotes
2. https://paysimple.com/blog/covid-19-small-business-ideas/