It’s hard to believe a year has passed since the President declared COVID–19 a National Emergency. Almost none of us back then had any guess as to the kind of year we were in store for, as we all faced lockdowns, shutdowns, shelter-in-place orders, social distancing mandates, reduced occupancy edicts, and wall-to-wall news coverage. The numbers are staggering. Since that time, the number of global deaths has reached nearly 2.7M, of which more than 550K have been in the United States. That’s pretty grim. But let’s not lose sight of the positive news: more than 98M worldwide have recovered after catching the coronavirus, with more than 22.4M survivors in America.
As we mark a year since the world changed, it’s important that we both remember the tragedies as well as recognize the triumphs. Among these triumphs, Operation Warp Speed was probably the best example of government working with the private sector to put this long national nightmare to bed. But there are many inspirational stories happening at the local level, too. So many small businesses around the country have weathered this incredible storm, overcoming heretofore-unseen levels of uncertainty and stress. If you’re reading this blog, you likely work for or own one of those small businesses that has managed to defy the odds and survive. That’s a big deal. Don’t forget it. —And if your business is struggling now, don’t be ashamed to seek out resources like the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Business Guidance and Loan Resources page, which includes the Payroll Protection Program.
Finally, as we all get back on our feet, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at The Brandt Group. We’ve been helping other small businesses like yours navigate the complexities of delivering a superior customer experience, despite all of the challenges of complying with reduced staffing and social distancing. Our mystery shopping and customer feedback tools will help your business ensure it’s meeting any safety regulations your state requires as well as still managing to provide quality customer service and high standards of salesmanship. Let’s work together and come back stronger than ever!
