Whether you're in Manitoba, Nunavut, Minnesota or Missouri your blue collar business can learn something from a mom and pop restaurant where I live. MJ's in Steinbach.
What can your blue collar business do during Covid 19?
follow all provincial and federal rules and guidelines (there are fines if you don't).
make the right financial decisions for your business (this may include downsizing, layoffs, cancellation of internal systems etc.).
Keep pushing forward, do not stop.
There is a lot of craziness going on right now in the world of business as many have been forced to downsize, layoff and even close. BUT if you watch closely, there are some businesses that are unwavering, pushing through and finding new ways to survive. Today I want to highlight 3 things that, whether you're an electrician, plumber, builder, framer, HVAC pro, concrete pro you can learn from a small restaurant based in South East MB.
pivot, adapt and overcome
Almost overnight most businesses changed and MJ's Kafe was no different. They could not serve their customers the way they always had. Instead of packing it in the ownership immediately re-jigged staff, offerings and what service looked like. And as regulations have continually changed, so have they. And I’m proud of them!
continue to communicate with your customers and prospective customers
They have continued to communicate (better than they ever have!) with their customers and their community using social media.
offer brand new products and services
On top of pivoting, adapting and overcoming the situation, some new services have come out of this whole mess. Now I don't know if they will continue after this pandemic is over, but I bet you at least one will. They have been running daily flash sales for lunch and dinner and Saturday morning breakfast, of course! They have also setup a "general store" of sorts at the front with "to go meals, treats and their famous homemade jam (which they've never sold before!)
In conclusion; At the end of the day, your failure and your ultimate success are 100% up to you. This is a time where you can choose to contract, pull back and shut down. Or you can choose to pivot, change, adapt, overcome, offer new and ultimately KEEP. MOVING. FORWARD. No matter what!
As you keep moving forward, I encourage you to follow the rules and guidelines, but be proactive, adapt how you're operating your business, over communicate with your customers. AND most importantly, what new products or services could you offer?
P.S - Support local whenever you can in times such as these!
P.P.S - If Covid 19 has shown us anything, it is how important customer information is, emails and cell numbers. With business changing so rapidly, being able to communicate quickly and effectively is so important.
Directly from MJ's Kafe website: