COVID-19 is anything but “Business As Usual” for enterprise in Ireland. We faced into 2020 thinking that BREXIT was the biggest threat facing our economy. Little did we think it would soon be replaced by a life-threatening virus. This invisible virus has struck fear into people, government, business and our economy.
Many businesses are fighting for survival now. Across all sectors and all sizes. From the mightiest of household brands to the smallest of micro-enterprise, this is a huge challenge for everyone.
However it’s also a prime opportunity to reach out for help. The team at your Local Enterprise Office, Enterprise Ireland advisor or IDA liaison are there to support. The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation have a COVID-19 Info Centre on their website, which acts as access point to all the latest information for business (click here) and contains links to all the relevant support services.
While it may be easy to get bogged down by the enormity of this crisis, now is the time for cool heads. Stop and assess what else your business could do during this time. Bronagh Conlon in Listoke Distillery is now making hand sanitizer to supply the healthcare sector. O’Neill’s Sports are no longer making GAA jerseys, instead they’re making scrubs for healthcare professionals. Think creatively. Look at your resources, your raw materials, look for the need and follow your instinct.
And if your business is not able to pivot, then use the time to make it stronger. What are the things you need to do to get your business ready for recovery? Develop a Recovery Action Plan and build in all the tasks you can do now in preparation and what you’re going to do when we get out of this.
In any crisis, we have two choices: fight or flight. It’s okay to be scared. It’s okay to be daunted by this. But don’t allow it to paralyse you. Now’s the time to come out fighting. Fight for yourself. Fight for your business. Fight for your team. Fight for your family. Fight for your future. But never forget, whether you’re a huge multi-national or one person working on a laptop, you are not alone. Reach out for help, training, advice, support, finance – whatever your business needs – and come out of this crisis stronger and ready for the recovery!
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