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SME coronavirus stories

From pivoting service offerings to setting up effective remote teams, our SME coronavirus stories feature businesses taking proactive steps to protect revenues, reduce costs, retain employees and prepare for a new future.

Three successful coronavirus-led business pivots

With continuity a thing of the past, business pivots are something leaders everywhere will need to be thinking of. We look at how three shifts have produced quick and effective results.

18 business leaders reflect on their best lockdown decision

Making good business calls is difficult at the best of times. In a crisis – when you have less time, information and support – it’s even harder.

A small business retail story: Why coronavirus won’t be the end of Papersmiths

Papersmiths founder Sidonie Warren tells her coronavirus story from her spare bedroom, surrounded by neat stacks of notebooks, journals and greetings cards.

How I successfully applied for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

Barry Leahey successfully applied for funding through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme. He talks us through the key steps he took.

Are you thinking about your direct-to-consumer relationships enough?

With retailers, pubs, restaurants and other important sales channels forced into closure, businesses around the UK are having to pay more attention to direct-to-consumer sales.

A successful CBILS application: Give banks as much info as you can

When Tim Holt and his business, Plastic Card Services, set about applying for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) he knew overdelivering would be the successful approach.

Our customers need us – but we can’t get to them

Louise Hosking, founder of Hosking Associates, is rapidly moving the business – and sharing her industry knowledge – online for customers.

Prioritising new business development

Yash Dubal, founder of A Y & J Solicitors, has chosen to seize the moment and come out fighting with exciting new business development and a marketing push.

Pivoting from one business offering to another

As one of her hospitality firm came to a screeching halt, Hattie Mauleverer took solace in an astonishing spike in demand for her other business offering.

How one founder is giving a helping hand where it’s needed most

Jublo, a Leeds-based tech firm, is reaching out to remote workers in coronavirus-hit communities like Spain, Japan and China.

How Facebook Live cookery sessions are putting one business on the map

When coronavirus spelled potential disaster for The Cooking Shed, founder Regan Anderton turned to Facebook Live to connect with new customers.

This firm is seeking new revenue streams amidst the chaos

Finnmark Sauna planned to maintain its rate of expansion in 2020, and the founders are using new revenue streams to ensure coronavirus doesn't slow them down.

Meet the family-run care home business going the extra mile to support staff

Lucy Craig is taking remarkable steps to support staff and reduce the stress they face as the impact of coronavirus continues to grow.

Good cash flow forecasting will show the way

Peter Watson explains how his four-point coronavirus crisis survival strategy is backed up by careful cash flow forecasting that will inform big decisions.

An online retail response to the coronavirus outbreak

Mohammed Patel, MD at baby and child retailer Kiddies Kingdom, explains how his online retail business has tinkered with systems and processes to ensure it can continue trading.

How do you plan in a rapidly changing environment?

No matter what new rules or guidelines may emerge over the summer, Kristina Rowe, joint owner of the Kendal Hostel in Cumbria, is aiming to cover all bases with her forward-thinking planning efforts.

The highs and lows of thriving as a business in a pandemic

Sunna van Kampen looks back on the coronavirus outbreak period and explains what he's learnt from a 1,000 per cent demand increase.

An opportune time to fast-track digital change

The coronavirus crisis has given St Michaels Resort in Cornwall a golden opportunity to embrace digital change future-proof the business. 

Rapid innovation in a traditional sector

Lockdown for business owners Mark Holden and Tom Jenkinson mandated a period of rapid innovation – and a glimpse of an interesting new world.

We’re looking at ways to completely restructure the business

The coronavirus lockdown has been eye-opening for Catherine Connor, co-founder of bread specialists Lovingly Artisan. Now, she’s eyeing a restructure and a very different future ahead.

I suggested to our competitors that we all suspend trading

At the start of the coronavirus crisis, Hattons Model Railways MD came up with a bold idea that had the power to help everyone – competitors included.

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