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How are Businesses Innovating Solutions Amidst COVID-19 Crisis? What can businesses do to remain in demand?

By Verun Rastogii

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

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As uneasiness due to the coronavirus outbreak looms around startups, many decide to layoff their employees or in worst cases, shut their doors. While the difficulty of running day-to-day operations is certain, several other entrepreneurs are making the most of this period by molding their business operations to suit the changing demands of their customers.

The nationwide lockdown has made customers aware of their independent skills — from preparing a meal instead of ordering online, ride their own vehicle instead of booking a cab, and doing their own laundry instead of pick-ups. Hence, there will be an increase in products and services which will make customers progressively independent. Privately-owned vehicles, regardless of whether new or second hand, washing machines, and dishwashers, and in some cases, cooking lessons could be in demand. Everything that makes their life comfortable will be in demand.

They have likewise moved from overdoing it on superfluous products to saving money and making it last more. They are pondering their utilization now more than ever. The sustainable lifestyle will offer a route to the development outlook in a couple of months. Be that as it may, all things considered, even post the coronavirus period, the per capita utilization will show delayed growth for the following three to five years as individuals figure out how to live within their means.

So, what can businesses do to remain in demand?

Keep the correct outlook

In the current circumstance, entrepreneurs must comprehend the magnitude of the situation and still be rest assured that it is temporary. As it is commonly known, entrepreneurs are versatile and ingenious, so it becomes necessary for them to stop and re-structure their business. A financial setback could also leave business owners in retrospection of their thoughts, and to address whether they have the means to get through. Thus, for such businesses to endure and continue, a shift in mindset isn't one of the choices, it is their only choice.

Transitioning to online from offline services

One significant outcome of social distancing due to COVID-19 is the change of business operations from offline to online shopping. This incorporates divisions, for example, the food & beverage business; in many areas, the guidelines have been relaxed cafes and restaurants to enroll takeaway services in lieu of dining out. For SMBs that can offer items or services online but don't have an advanced presence at present, launching a website rapidly and safely is maybe the most immediate approach to turn the business to adjust to the current conditions. By empowering customers to make purchases online, organizations can neutralize a considerable amount of issues caused by social distancing.

Presenting relevant products

With most business services on hold, numerous organizations have discovered their products and services have zero demand. With their contributions having no significance in today's time, many businesses have been compelled to rapidly reconfigure their product line and change their plans of action. Given the way that the current demand contains just basic needs and protection gear, many associations have chosen to offer PPEs, masks, sanitizers, and other necessary products. Versatility remains the way to endurance and associations that show brisk flexibility are the ones that will remain in demand.

This is an extraordinary situation and organizations of all shapes and sizes have been influenced and to be able to survive, they must be ready to rapidly change their operations to tap early on opportunities.

Verun Rastogii

Founder & CEO, Mufubu

Verun Rastogii, Founder and CEO Mufubu, wishes to spread joy and happiness through his business. In his current capacity at Mufubu, Varun looks after new product development, key marketing activities, monitoring key functions of legal, sales and finance and negotiating and bringing new brand partners on board.

An entrepreneur through and through, Verun has always been driven by his freewill. His independent yet dedicated personality motivated him to kick start something of his own. Going beyond the typical business silos, Verun started an export company in the year 2009, and in a short span of 2 years, he scaled it to a company worth crores. He is a curious personality and settling down is not an option for him. This very nature makes him a bag packer and an avid socializer who is always hopeful of bumping into something unusual and thought provoking. It is his inquisitive nature that prompted him to start Mufubu and let the world experience the fascination that he experiences.

Verun is a B. Sc. Hons in Business & Management from School of Management, University of Bradford, UK. However owing to his happy-go-lucky, bright, and buoyant personality, he refused to be further taught in a water-tight educational system. Going beyond the conventional stereotypes, Verun chose to drop out of his MBA and follow his way.

He plans to take Mufubu to the global level through steady investment in technology, people, and products in the years to come. He wants to see the company clock 1000 products, introduce 8+ categories, and expand the company’s presence in over 50 countries. When not talking shop, Verun is a sports enthusiast and loves to play table tennis. He also actively attends a lot of sports events. He finds peace in solitude and loves going for long drives.

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