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We were all hoping that things would be back to normal by now, but it looks like we’ll need to get even more strict for a while. It’s easy to feel defeated and frustrated, especially if your business is being hit hard by the safety protocols we’re being asked to follow. Here’s some inspiration to help you keep your head above water as a small business as we enter the second wave of the pandemic.

1. Control what you can and ignore what you can’t

No one has control over the main problem, but the smaller problems its causing for your business are in your hands. Instead of focusing on protocols that work against your business model, focus on managing your costs, finding new ways to generate cash flow, and keeping your customers engaged. Is there something you can do for your employees in this difficult time? Is there a way you can use the extra time you have to strategize for a better 2021? Do everything you can, and put everything you can’t control at the back of your mind.

2. Guard your employee morale

It’s tough to be an employee right now, many are being  let go or facing pay cuts because of the losses their employers are facing. If you handle this well, you can boost loyalty in your team and come back stronger than ever when things get back to normal. Try to prioritize keeping them paid and safe, and be honest about the difficulties you’re facing, but express confidence in your ability to bounce back.

3. Save cash where you can

This goes without saying, even in a pre-COVID world, but it’s important to emphasize it if you are facing financial loss as a business. Go through all your expenses and see what you can live without, at least for now. Because of the nature of this crisis, try and keep employees and customers as secure as possible, and avoid making cuts when it comes to them. Look at things that you are not using as much and consider moving things online to save transportation and rent costs where possible.

4. Go back to the basics, and improve

Going back to why you started this business, and improving your core offerings, stepping up customer service, and remaining committed to your core mission will give you the boost you need internally to keep going, but will also keep you competitive.

Now is the time to really look at what you are providing and see if you can increase your value proposition as a business. Even the best can do better.

5. Pivot your product or service

The world isn’t normal, and it won’t be for a while. This means some products that make sense before are not going to work right now. But there is a way to stay afloat: pivot. Get creative, and find a socially distanced, low cost, version of what you offer. You never know, it could end up being better than what you had before