COVID-19 Virus: Is Your Business Immune?

[MOIC]

Given the current impact on factories in China as well as the global supply chain, is your business immune?

It will impact businesses who are reliant on working directly with China factories including shipment delays, possible price rises and existing suppliers folding.

There will also be collateral damage for businesses using factories relying on components produced in China, as well as damage to jobs involved with businesses who need to rely on the global public to continue their normal daily routines (travel, exhibitions, sporting events, bricks & mortar shopping . . . )

1. Will your business suffer and to what extent?

2. What contingency plans (if any) will you be taking (or have taken)?

 

[Mr D]

We have stock for a couple of years on hand - OK sales right down as time goes on but some stock even at 2 year mark if we don't buy anything.

More of a problem if delivery network reduces or shuts down.

Or we are unable to access storage facilities.


The virus could cause a growth in online shopping. Dealing with a delivery driver / stuff through the letterbox / left in safe place rather than crowds of people and being close to someone who may be infected.

 

[MOIC]

Agree with a likely (huge) increase in online sales.

 

[Hash and Bash]

I'll just retire a few months earlier than planned.

 

[MOIC]

I'll just retire a few months earlier than planned.

That isn't a bad option.

Do you have a pension and if so, will that be affected?

Would you stay in the UK to enjoy your retirement?

 

[Hash and Bash]

That isn't a bad option.

Do you have a pension and if so, will that be affected?

Would you stay in the UK to enjoy your retirement?

Already drawing a pension and got my lump sum stashed away!

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Contingency plans

If this gets really bad from an economic point of view the new rented Mercedes vans will go back and my old vans will be pulled out the brambles and recommissioned .
I will also employ the use of the cars that I have that are old but payed for
Two of our customers are suppliers to the health industry so I would hope we would still be in demand
I have been through enough recessions to have some idea of what to do but something could always surprise you

 

[MOIC]

the new rented Mercedes vans will go back

Can they be returned without any penalties?

 

[UKSBD]

UK up to 51 confirmed cases now

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Can they be returned without any penalties?

No penalties straight rental
As we run very high miles we always have to pay a higher price unless we buy out right and who wants a sprinter that is knackered after 30 months

 

[MOIC]

UK up to 51 confirmed cases now

How will your business be impacted (if at all)?

 

[UKSBD]

How will your business be impacted (if at all)?

One of my businesses has been effectively mothballed for the past 2 years already (due to my condition), but as a lot of my competitors sell cheap Chinese products and mine are manufactured in UK I might think about setting things back up.

The other depends on how small businesses are effected, if they start struggling they may look at advertising more, then again they might cut costs - it's all just wait and see.

Fortunately, I work from home, only employ family and my only costs are my broadband, insurance and accountancy fees.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Direct impact - nil.

Secondary impact - absolutely no idea. Though I've been ready for a recession for 18 months & frankly it will shake some of the more desperate shysters out of the industry.

 

[Mr D]

Direct impact - nil.

Secondary impact - absolutely no idea. Though I've been ready for a recession for 18 months & frankly it will shake some of the more desperate shysters out of the industry.

We tend to forget the beneficial effects of a recession on business.
Well, surviving businesses anyway.

 

[MBE2017]

Well the virus has turned up approx 1.5 miles from my front door. People taken away in an ambulance, house been sprayed with chemicals, two schools shutdown, not sure if more than just this house yet, details very sketchy.

I think every business is vulnerable, depends on how much lockdown the UK Gov decides to try to slow down the virus. If whole areas/towns are shutdown, even Internet shipping deliveries will be hit.

I think the UK Gov accepts they cannot stop it, just going to try and slow it down to allow treatment on the limited space in the NHS and emergency facilities. Once it is out widespread in the population I think they will just let it take its course.

 

[Deleted member 59730]

If whole areas/towns are shutdown, even Internet shipping deliveries will be hit.

Not if the driver is in his van all day and just chucks the parcels over the fence

 

[UKSBD]

I think the UK Gov accepts they cannot stop it, just going to try and slow it down to allow treatment on the limited space in the NHS and emergency facilities. Once it is out widespread in the population I think they will just let it take its course.

Action plan published here today - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-action-plan

 

[Mr D]

Action plan published here today - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-action-plan

Thanks. Could use a good laugh today.

 

[prophet01]

If whole areas/towns are shutdown, even Internet shipping deliveries will be hit.

Not if the driver is in his van all day and just chucks the parcels over the fence

Normal service then.

 

[Mr D]

Normal service then.

Yes we've had that multiple times from snow and from flooding.
Though people still expect parcels to arrive!

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Flybe have just gone to the wall here in Exeter overnight blaming the virus
It far too easy to get carried away with this type of thing but Flybe have been a zombie company for sometime now and this would have happened anyway.

 

[MOIC]

Agree, although I suspect there will be a few more casualties within the airline industry (especially in Europe) within the next 3 - 6 months.

Events are being cancelled on a daily basis and the collateral damage is likely to affect many businesses.

 

[MOIC]

What will the fall-out be for those connected in the tourism industry in Jersey and Guernsey where flybe were one of a limited ways of getting in by air?

The tourism industry may well be the biggest casualties in Europe as this virus affects the normal day to day activities.

 

[Mr D]

What will the fall-out be for those connected in the tourism industry in Jersey and Guernsey where flybe were one of a limited ways of getting in by air?

The tourism industry may well be the biggest casualties in Europe as this virus affects the normal day to day activities.

Any other local route carriers?
Least until the air travel becomes uneconomic for a while?

 

[MOIC]

Flybe were the biggest (for numbers) by far.

 

[Mr D]

Flybe were the biggest (for numbers) by far.

Usual knock on effect of a company going under is the competitors can be strengthened by taking on the customers.
Whether any other carriers use that local airport ….
May also be some airports reducing services soon.

 

[MOIC]

So, 2 weeks on from the original post.

Has anything changed with your original thoughts?

Has it started to impact your business?

What contingency plans have you instigated?

 

[UKSBD]

Business wise:
Cancelled about 30 domain that I've been keeping - just in case

Cancelled 3 hosting plans which I was keeping just in case and had some sites backed up on

Stopped accepting free listings in my directory site

Started thinking about chasing up the people who paid for a 12 month upgrade over 12 months ago to see if they want to either renew or have their listing downgraded.
I've always been very lapse about this and lots of people have upgraded listing for 2 or 3 years + despite only paying for 1 year

Reduced Kashflow plan to the cheapest one that's suitable

Moved all money from PayPal accounts

Basically these are all things that I should have done anyway but have been putting off.

Personally Wise:
Have been spending £90 and a few pennies for last few weeks on Sainsbury's home deliveries to take advantage of my coupons (save £13.50 every time are and well stocked up now)

Cancelled gym membership

Bought some books from musicMagpie

Extended my vegetable patch and dug it all over ready

Got more seeds planted

Ordered a new cold frame

 

[MOIC]

Business wise:
Cancelled about 30 domain that I've been keeping - just in case

Cancelled 3 hosting plans which I was keeping just in case and had some sites backed up on

Stopped accepting free listings in my directory site

Started thinking about chasing up the people who paid for a 12 month upgrade over 12 months ago to see if they want to either renew or have their listing downgraded.
I've always been very lapse about this and lots of people have upgraded listing for 2 or 3 years + despite only paying for 1 year

Reduced Kashflow plan to the cheapest one that's suitable

Moved all money from PayPal accounts

Basically these are all things that I should have done anyway but have been putting off.

Personally Wise:
Have been spending £90 and a few pennies for last few weeks on Sainsbury's home deliveries to take advantage of my coupons (save £13.50 every time are and well stocked up now)

Cancelled gym membership

Bought some books from musicMagpie

Extended my vegetable patch and dug it all over ready

Got more seeds planted

Ordered a new cold frame

That's being Uber pro-active!

10/10

 

[Mr D]

Extended my vegetable patch and dug it all over ready

Got more seeds planted

Ordered a new cold frame

Good idea.

I've some more stock of testing strips, nutrient, pebbles, bulbs, another fan and more seeds on order.
Got enough space to setup a couple more trays of plants. May do some flowers this time, always good for mental health!

 

[UKSBD]

Got enough space to setup a couple more trays of plants. May do some flowers this time, always good for mental health!

Our downstairs boiler/utility/cloak room is full of seed trays

Good excuse to get outside and empty the sheds to make room for more

Never bothered with cold frames before, but trying to grow some red peppers this year

Last year it was 90% flowers, this year I'm doing more like 70 - 30 with more veg instead of flowers.

 

[Deleted member 59730]

Extended my vegetable patch and dug it all over ready

Got more seeds planted

Ordered a new cold frame

Went to my local garden centre early this morning. It was as busy as an Easter Sunday.

 

[UKSBD]

Went to my local garden centre early this morning. It was as busy as an Easter Sunday.

Can't beat a bit of gardening for relaxation and taking your mind off things.

Plus the 40 minutes digging the garden over this morning was better (and cheaper) than a gym workout.

 

[Alison Moore]

Our downstairs boiler/utility/cloak room is full of seed trays

Wow! looks great - funnily enough I'm just shopping for a greenhouse!

 

[MBE2017]

Just ordered in a lot of wood to build a large covered area for a new cat run, building ten raspberry supports, re building a staircase, plastering two ceilings and rebuilding a bathroom.

Well, I need something to do for the next two weeks.

 

[Mr D]

Just ordered in a lot of wood to build a large covered area for a new cat run, building ten raspberry supports, re building a staircase, plastering two ceilings and rebuilding a bathroom.

Well, I need something to do for the next two weeks.

Lots of cats?

Or planning on taking in a load of cats as prison inmates / a cattery?

 

[MOIC]

Well, I need something to do for the next two weeks.

Only two weeks?

I would plan for two months.

I started painting . . . . . . very relaxing and therapeutic!

 

[Bluejen84]

Business 1: effected for by supply of goods. Some products made in China and most come via Europe. Even if goods get through we still rely on a network to get goods to us.

Business 2: well yes completely effected. I run a children's soft play centre... the schools aren't yet closed but people are staying away

 

[MBE2017]

Only two weeks?

I would plan for two months.

I started painting . . . . . . very relaxing and therapeutic!

UK Gov has asked for a two week isolation, I will be totally mad at the end of two weeks. Already had a huge row with my two daughters, who want to carry on as before.

My youngest daughters boyfriend has just lost a family member to the virus, but the youngsters don’t seem able to understand the idea of social isolation. Wish I had gone to a hotel now. Ah well, just 13 days to go....

 

[MOIC]

Sorry for the sad news.

It's a totally unique situation.

It will actually feel surreal.