Collingwood.Business Newsletter Update #16
IN THIS ISSUE
• Hot Topic 1: 7-Step Checklist to Get Back to Business Safely
• Hot Topic 2: Ask An Expert Webinar 'How To Talk To Customers In A Crisis'
• Safe Water When Re-Opening Buildings
• News & Recent Updates
• Upcoming Online Business Events
• Our Top Webinars
• Local Resources Available To Your Business
HOT TOPIC 1:
7-STEP CHECKLIST TO GET BACK TO BUSINESS SAFELY
The Town of Collingwood, together with the business partners at the Business Development Centre (BDC), has launched a 7 Step Checklist to help companies Get Ready For Back to Business. Watch the Video
This checklist is an easy to use, streamlined set of resources to give you the most relevant information and sector-specific toolkits to help your business re-open and recover:
1. Start by Creating a Plan with the BDC Experts
2. Review Sector Specific Re-Opening Resources
3. Prepare Appropriate Safety Measures
4. Become Aware of Symptom Monitoring and Testing Protocols
5. Implement Store Specific Safety Practices
6. Promote ‘Shop Safely’ Principles
7. Seek Financial Advice and Support
It includes a “Shop Safely” poster to put in your stores and restaurants that is being adopted by the South Georgian Bay region. As always, the Partners are available to provide advice and help you find the right resources.
HOT TOPIC 2:
THURSDAY JULY 23: ASK AN EXPERT WEBINAR 'HOW TO TALK TO CUSTOMERS IN A CRISIS'
No matter what’s going on in the world, your current, potential, and returning customers want and need to hear from you. But marketing and communicating in a time of crisis can feel like a real challenge. Our panel of marketing and communications experts will explore what to say, how to say it, when, and where to really connect with customers, show leadership, and build your brand bravely in times of crisis.
Expert Panel:
Sandra Kahale - Communications Strategist
Lara McCulloch and Heather Briggs - Branding & Marketing Experts
Explore:
• What do customers want and need to know?
• How can you address customer fears?
• What’s the “new normal” for marketing your business?
Submit your questions in advance when you register.
SAFE WATER WHEN RE-OPENING BUILDINGS
When buildings are closed or are on low occupancy for any prolonged period, water in the building becomes stagnant and can pose serious health risks. Harmful microbiological and chemical contaminants can grow or leach into the water supply.
The effect of such stagnation will vary between each building based on factors such as length of the shutdown, size of the building, number of occupants, complexity of the system, integrity of the plumbing, and maintenance performed during the shutdown.
While municipal utilities are responsible to get clean, safe drinking water to each property, it is the responsibility of each property owner to ensure they maintain the safety of that water within their building.
The Town has prepared a simple 6-point checklist for property owners to ensure the building has safe water as businesses begin to re-open.
NEWS AND RECENT UPDATES
• Apply for the Digital Main Street Transformation $2,500 Grant (Digital Main Street)
• Sector Specific Guidelines to Prevent COVID-19 in the Workplace (Ontario.ca)
• The CECRA rent relief program extended into July. (CMHC)
UPCOMING ONLINE BUSINESS EVENTS
• July 22: Ecommerce Options for Small Business (Digital Main Street)
• July 23: Ask an Expert: How To Talk To Customers In A Crisis (Simcoe County)
• July 23: The Future of Retail* (Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre)
• July 28: Google Analytics For Small Business (Digital Main Street)
*These are 3rd party events not produced by the Business Development Centre or its partners.
OUR TOP WEBINARS
• Ask An Expert: An Open Conversation On Supporting Mental Health
• Ask An Expert: Workplace & Business Safety
*These are 3rd party events not produced by the Business Development Centre or its partners.
LOCAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO YOUR BUSINESS
The Business Development Centre in Downtown Collingwood is here to support and advise businesses during COVID-19. We are here to answer questions, help make sense of new information coming from different levels of government and provide advice on how to manage through these challenging times.
The Business Development Centre is operating virtually and our team is ready to support your business and investment decisions.