This is the third post in a series on the basics of building a more resilient business to help you navigate unforeseen challenges. Check out our post on building your online presence and protecting your small business from cyber-attacks. Stay tuned for future posts in this series!
This is the second post in a series on the basics of building a more resilient business to help you navigate unforeseen challenges. Check out our post on building your online presence and stay tuned for future posts in this series!
With COVID-19 restrictions easing around the country, small businesses are reopening their doors to the public and preparing for a busy season. Many business owners are looking for information about how to reopen safely to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission in the workplace, and preparation is key for a smooth transition.
Here are four ways you can help educate your employees as they return to the workplace.
Communicate with your employees
The pandemic’s harmful effects have forced many entrepreneurs to reevaluate their business model. More than a year since the global health crisis paralyzed our communities and economies, small businesses are looking for ways to make their business more resilient to crises and connect with their consumers online. With this in mind, we put together a checklist for entrepreneurs to review as they pivot their businesses and build their online presence.
Many California small businesses would like to offer retirement options to their employees—to help attract a talented workforce and boost employee morale—but can’t afford the overhead and administrative costs. The state now requires that all businesses with five or more employees facilitate employee participation in CalSavers if they don’t already have a retirement plan in place. Businesses are being phased into the program over time based on their number of employees.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced updated guidance for people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, which would allow them to forgo wearing masks or physically distancing in public settings except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including guidance established by local businesses and workplaces.
In the last year, the business landscape has dramatically shifted for small businesses, prompting them to rethink their business strategy and adapt in order to survive the pandemic. From constant changes in masking orders, workplace capacity and reopening guidelines, small business owners need guidance on how to operate and thrive while the economic recovery is underway.
We know many small business owners may have questions about what other resources they can take advantage of, or what may be next in relief funding for Main Street now that the Paycheck Protection Program expired on May 31. We’ve collected a few national resources that are still available and you can also find local opportunities here.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced two new updates to its Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, as the agency works to provide further economic relief for the smallest and hardest hit businesses across the United States.
Below you will find more information about the Targeted EIDL Advance program and Supplemental Targeted Advance, which provide small grants to eligible impacted small businesses, and how you may qualify for additional financial assistance.
Targeted EIDL Advance program
During April’s National Financial Literacy Month, we spoke with small business owners around the country about the challenges they’ve faced during the last year of business turmoil and how they’ve pivoted their businesses to stay afloat during the pandemic.
These business owners have weathered many untenable challenges and are sharing their lessons learned and some best practices other small businesses can follow during this difficult time. Read on to learn about some of the key steps they took to overcome the challenges brought on by the pandemic.