Campaign offers small businesses tips for uncertain winter

The campaign, which is in its eighth year, has issued a list of five top tips for small business owners, struggling after national and localised lockdowns have kept many customers at home:

1. Embrace new technology – Even if your business used to be completely face-to-face there are digital alternatives that could help you continue during lockdown.
2. Keep in touch with your customers – update them on how your business is adapting and new things you are offering. If you have had to close or pause operations, make sure you stay in touch and stay relevant.
3. Protect your cashflow – review all your outgoings and focus on keeping costs as low and flexible as possible, with a limited number of big outgoings. Keep in touch with your suppliers to see how you might manage payments.
4. Continue to diversify – keep pivoting your business model to continue trading, as the world carries on changing. Don’t rely on one product or market, think about alternative services you could offer that has not been hit by Covid-19 or have thrived during lockdown.
5. Make the most of Small Business Saturday – All small businesses can participate om 5 December, by running promotions, getting listed on the Small Business Finder, and downloading marketing materials via its website.

Michelle Ovens, director of Small Business Saturday UK, said: “Small businesses are facing a really hard winter, and many don’t have much to fall back on. They need as much support as possible to power through, which is why we’ve teamed up with BT Skills for Tomorrow to offer virtual mentoring, workshops and advice to small businesses in the run up to Small Business Saturday.

“This year’s campaign is more vital than ever, and we’re encouraging all small businesses to join in and for the public to get behind them like never before.”