Many businesses have to reinvent myself almost overnight because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Business owners have two options: take action to change the way they work or close shop. Companies that refuse to take their companies virtual or adapt or fail or at least suffer losses. Innovation and willingness to transform your business into virtualization turns out to be vital to survival.
So how have successful businesses adapted to the challenge posed by the pandemic, and how do they continue to adapt as the pandemic drags on? There is something in common that those companies — and their leaders — have in common that we can all learn from. Here are a few stories of businesses that sparked the pandemic and made change overnight. A previous business that refused to provide online services for many years. Today, that same business generates 20% of its revenue from virtual services. Never say never.
Bringing music from live to online
Music Compound, my company, is a member-based music school in Sarasota, Florida, for all ages and genres. It is a performing music school with a 3,000 square foot concert venue on site. The 20 instructors it uses are empowered to customize each lesson for students and use their educational background to do so.
Music Compound continued to go live throughout the entire pandemic and never missed a beat. After Covid hit the Florida Gulf Coast in March 2020, our total revenue dropped 50% during the height of the pandemic. The entire staff has been affected and decided to increase on this occasion. Within 24 hours, we implemented the virtual music school business model. Nearly 400 members and employees are connected weekly via Zoom. Each instructor has personal profile pages, each with videos, bios, and Zoom links for members to use to connect with them.
Having a process for all instructors and members also provides a seamless transition to alternative products. Because schools are in remote learning mode or closed for spring and summer breaks, Music Compound offers free daytime music classes through their Facebook and YouTube channels. This allows working parents to suddenly become homeschoolers with a break and a much-needed extra tool for their children’s education. We also launched a virtual concert series Facebook Groups that create a new set of followers and potential future customers, and the company hosts regular Facebook Lives to highlight local artists. methods, music history and short lessons.
Before the pandemic, Music Compound held four to six events a month to market their services and recruit members, but because in-person events were cancelled, that funding was diverted. like search, SEO and social media marketing to keep the business running. An online presence is crucial during the pandemic due to the number of people stuck at home, looking for an outlet and wanting to learn because they have had the time. Many businesses have closed or canceled shows while Music Compound is expanding services and hiring more instructors. The changes we introduced were so successful that they incorporated the Covid model into its day-to-day operations.
Bringing small businesses online when stores are closed
Bazaar at Apricot and Lime is a 6,000 square foot independent market in Sarasota that is home to nearly 40 small businesses selling art, alternative products, jewelry, cool gifts, plants, clothing, and green products. The majority of businesses that have space in the market are small, and many are just starting up. Most business owners don’t have an online store or social media at all. When asked to close a store, many people don’t have a store or followers to sell their products. In an effort to stay in business and generate sales, Kim Livengood, the market’s owner, immediately switched to Facebook Live.
She goes live every day for three weeks, calling her online videos “The Bazaar Shopping Network”. (Yes, she was inspired by the Home Shopping Network). She displays available products and offers curbside pickup, delivery, and transportation. When she mentioned stopping being in BSN, another fan in another state begged her to continue. It provided comfort to her during a crazy time, while also keeping her connected to the community she thrived on. With that note, Kim kept going weekly.
