The Coronavirus Roller Coaster
Here’s to Saving Lives & Livelihoods in 2020
Ride the COVID-19 Roller Coaster: Do What You Can, With What You Have
When you and I were making our New Year’s resolutions on the eve of 2020 we had no idea that somewhere in the middle of China the first cases of a new disease, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) was just starting.
A few short months later mass gatherings like sporting events, conferences, and festivals are being canceled.
This is having a big impact for small (and large) business owners in the entertainment industry.
Even Disneyland is closed!
The health and safety of your guests and workers is the top priority.
Now more than ever.
We’re living through extraordinary times.
Uncertainty can be overwhelming and frightening.
But there are a few things that you can do to help protect your team and your business from the coronavirus.
Here are three ideas to help you navigate this unfolding situation.
1. Stay Informed
So, while it is not healthy to be the news cycle 24/7 it is a good idea to tap into the news once a day to keep up to date. Avoid the tabloids that sensationalize the situation, instead, listen to credible sources like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Their web sites have the latest info.
Adhere to government directives.
Keep your eyes open for possible local government support for small and medium-sized businesses. You might consider writing to your local political representatives to ask for support. Especially as entertainment and tourist business operators, we need to lobby our government for support.
Help your staff and your customers to keep informed too. If you are still operating at the moment (and what extra precautions you are implementing), let them know. If you are closed, then let them know that too. Either way, reassure your community that you are here for them.
2. Healthy Hygiene
Yes, wash your hands. Health authorities say to wash for at least 20 seconds underwater, with a good lather of soap. Might sound a bit over-the-top but you can set a timer on your smartphone. Or simply sing your favorite song’s chorus twice. (It doesn’t matter if you go a bit over.)
The WHO reckons we should all wash our hands frequently:
• before preparing food (and oh, yes, also during and after making food!)
• before eating
• after sneezing or coughing
• oh, and yes, when they are actually dirty!
If you can source some, then have a hand sanitizer available. Hand sanitizer is good for both your employees and your customers. Consider what other precautions you can put in place for the benefit of your customers and crew.
At the recent IAAPA “Coronavirus Protocols for Visitor Attractions” webinar, the speakers urged entertainment operators to practice good hygiene. Work with the resources you have.
3. Keep Your Team Safe
When you work in the entertainment industry it is easy to forget how many people your team interacts with. While you cannot ensure everyone, who walks into your venue is healthy, you can help your employees stay safe.
The CDC recommends you bump up your cleaning regime.
If any employee is sick, swap their shift with someone else. Encourage your customers, that if they are sick to postpone their event.
For example, the AHPC Committee has recommended that participants should not attend and participate in Laser Tag events if they:
• Have traveled internationally or been exposed to a person with COVID-19 in the preceding 14 days; or
• Are at high risk including the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions.
Stressed? Spinning on Facebook?
Are you feeling anxious about the Coronavirus pandemic?
Are you worried that you will go bankrupt and lose your business? COVID-19 may feel like ground zero in a zombie apocalypse, yes.
Take a bit of time to drown your sorrows in Lindt chocolate or red wine or both.
Ride the tsunami wave of initial chaos.
Bunker down.
Nothing wrong with a bit of binge-watching Netflix or Amazon Prime. Give yourself some time to process the shock.
Battlefield businesses around the globe are feeling the impact.
You and I have spent our time, energy and money building our businesses. You’ve dedicated your passion to build your enterprise.
Building your reputation, a following, and a community. Or maybe you’ve just kicked off a new venture. Only for it to have been ripped away by an invisible enemy. Shutdown by Government mandate.
We have just had to close our four local battlefields.
Last weekend was the first time in 21 years that there were no Laser Skirmish events. This is nerve-racking. I say, acknowledge the overwhelm.
You are not alone.
It is ok to feel a bit vulnerable.
Take a deep breath.
Fear can make you freeze.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world”.
This pandemic is scary. It’s sad.
It represents unique health and business challenges. Even if the worse-case happens, in sickness most people recover and in bankruptcy, you can have a chance to financially reset. It is incredibly sad for those people and their loved ones who succumb to the virus. It is incredibly hard for those businesses that do not make it.
For some life will never be the same. Bloomberg reckons that the Coronavirus will cost the world economy $2.7 trillion dollars. Who knows? That might be a conservative estimate.
But most people and most businesses will survive.
If you have faith and hope, you will be able to reset and restart.
Here are 10 tips to help you survive the turmoil.
- Look after yourself and your family. While we ride this roller coaster of a pandemic each of us needs to do our utmost to protect those, we love the most.
2. Do an audit. Look and see if there are any business expenses you can trim. Go through your monthly expenses with a fine tooth-comb and see what can be postponed or what can be cut. For example, before the pandemic, we used a rostering app called Deputy, but since many of our staff are furloughed, we have paused this.
3. The New Normal. In some months’ time (who knows exactly how long!) we will, eventually, get to a ‘new normal’. So, when things are better, you will want your battlefield business to hit the ground running. If you cannot afford paid marketing then focus on organic promotion. Keep the communication going. If you cannot communicate face-to-face you can still interact with your community via Facebook Groups or elsewhere on the web. Keep your customers informed about what is happening with your business. Since many of us are in lockdown there are more people than ever surfing around the web and socials looking for something, anything!
4. Get social. If you don’t have any new images or videos, you can still repost. #TBT — Throw Back Thursday is a great one! Take another look at your social media channels. You can schedule Instagram posts free apps like Planoly. Or use the Facebook scheduler.
5. You don’t ask you won’t get. Look for government grants or support for small businesses. In most countries, there are new announcements every week to support small business operators. Make the most of them.
6. Talk with your financial institution or bank. Consider asking about interest-only for a period or a moratorium on payments. But don’t put your head in the sand and ignore loans. Get in communication with your banker, I’m confident they would prefer to hear from you and work something out, then ignoring the situation.
7. Take the time to spring clean your web site and marketing collateral. Are there any blog posts that could be updated and refreshed with new content? Could your site use an SEO update?
8. Renovate. If you are allowed to visit your battlefield or arena, then maybe this could be an opportune time to re-paint or redecorate or refurbish your battlefield props. That way then you finally do re-open then you can invite your customer database back to check out your new look.
9. Learn something new. You might have been putting off tackling the Home Study CO Course or other resources in the Battlefield Sports University. You’ve been too busy! Well if you are in lockdown then use this time to make a start.
10. Look for new opportunities. Many businesses have pivoted their ordinary operations to support the community in the fight against COVID-19. For example, the factory next door was a fashion label instead now they are sewing face masks. While our fixed venues are closed, we have a renewed focus on “do-it-yourself” Laser Tag at home rental offers. (Remember the SATR system has dedicated rental “lock-out” settings. If you need help re-setting your laser tag equipment, just let us know.) Consider what new opportunities can your operation focus on?
In Conclusion
Many businesses are still reeling from the impact of the Coronavirus. Its health, social, and economic impact. I feel your shock. I reckon we will be talking about this in the future as: “Before COVID-19” and “After CV19”.
Everyone in the entertainment business, the battlefield business, is going to struggle for a while. But this will pass, eventually.
Until then, we as a battlefield community need to stick together, support each other. And together we will get to the other side.
In Summary: Keep Calm. Don’t panic.
This is a pandemic so we need to take precautions.
During this time of uncertainty, taking the time to get away from the screens, unplug, and refresh you and yours with some live gaming is one way to reduce anxiety and find some balance.
As the famous saying goes: “Keep Calm & Carry on!”
Do the best you can with the resources you have.
The year 2020 might just be the biggest roller coaster we’ve ever experienced.
