• What's the best way to rehire employees?
• What's the best way to reopen my store? 
• what's happening in Phase 1?
• what if my employees don't want to return? 

The Wake Tech Small Business Center has compiled some resources to assist you in your reopening activities. The following message is from the SBC's director, Cherith Robeson.  

One of the hardest things for business owners is bringing back employees who are making more money on unemployment through the CARES Act extra supplementation of $600 per week. When you are ready to re-open, an employer is required to extend an offer to return and if the employee refuses, in most cases, they can't continue to collect unemployment. However, that may not be the case if they don't have childcare, or have a family member with COVID-19, or have another legitimate reason. Communicate with your team. Understand that this is a nuanced challenge for you as the employer and that whether or not it seems fair that they may not want to return, you need a team who wants to support your business. Think about how you can incentivize and build your employees up and recognize them during this time.

Don't forget to also:

• Have a strong safety plan. Walk through each part of your employee and customer's experience. Do you have adequate signage that you are re-opening or walking your customers through the purchasing process? If you are requiring/asking customers to wear masks, do you also offer them for sale? Are you following CDC guidelines. Here's a handy OSHA guide.
• Honor existing customers and their loyalty to your business. If you are a service that people have been without (hair, nails, retail, etc.,), think about how you can allow your best customers to book first, email and call them to let them know how they can book, plan for high demand and make it easy for customers to purchase your product or service. Don't be complacent and expect them to come back. Be proactive. Be sensitive.
• Let technology be your friend. Email your clients to let them know how they can support your business this summer. Make it easy to book with you by using an electronic calendar service like YouCanBook.me or Calendly. Offer e-gift cards, allow customers to pay without having to manually hand you a card. Remember that not all customers have a card and have a plan in place to serve customers who want to pay in cash.

Check out this suggestion from Inc. with helpful to-do's and not-to's for reopening. I also found this Reopening Playbook  from the US Chamber very helpful. You may also decide to use these checklists as a guide. If you offer a service like a salon, read this reboot guide. And last, the City of Raleigh is providing a webinar on Wednesday at 10:30am - Mindful Re-opening - Safety precautions for small businesses.

As you think about marketing your reopened business, join us on Monday, May 18th for our FREE Virtual Marketing Summit. We will be using this opportunity to apply marketing essentials for a good reopening strategy.

You can attend all four sessions or choose the ones that you find helpful. Register here.

Marketing Summit Agenda

Keynote: How to Create and Stick to a Marketing Plan

12:00-1:00 PM

Presented by Tonya Snider

Session 1: Identify Which Social Media Platforms to Use

1:00-2:00 PM

Presented by Lorelei Garnes

Session 2: How to Build a Mailing List and Use Email to Win Business

2:00-3:00 PM

Presented by Aaron Means

Session 3: Building Relationships for Sales

3:00-4:00 PM

Presented by Russ Seagle

Need 1x1 help navigating next steps as you think about reopening and rebooting? Our professional counselors can provide assistance with everything from starting to growing, and navigating COVID-19 related challenges. Sign up here. All counseling is free of charge (paid for by your tax dollars).
 

To our rockstar small business community. You are strong, you are resilient, you can do hard things.

My best,

Cherith
 

Director, Wake Tech Small Business Center