Being innovative and adaptive in times of crisis

Being innovative and adaptive in times of crisis

The coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic has forced many Australian businesses and companies to adapt in order to survive.

Here at ETC, we understand the sudden need to innovate swiftly under pressure, to ensure the safety of our employees and customers and continuation of service delivery. We’ve had to adjust our normal business practices from a face-to-face, hands-on delivery to a digital approach.

From what we’ve seen, being innovative and adaptive during this crisis has enabled some businesses to redeploy staff they originally had to stand down.

We have gathered some examples of innovative businesses who have made significant changes during this current crisis.

Hopefully this sparks some ideas for how you can change the way you do business too:

• A Butcher in Western Australia has closed his doors and instead has customers placing their orders online, waiting for a notification telling them their produce is ready, pulling into the car park and having their meat loaded into the vehicle.
• Lord Byron Distillery who usually make rum, vodka and limoncello, have created a government approved hand sanitiser.
• The Coogee Beach Bakery has just launched a free delivery service so that its customers, many of them elderly, can get staples like milk and bread dropped off at their door.
• Bookstores throughout the country have launched free home delivery services for customers – some even being delivered by push bike.
• Some Cafes have begun taking payment over the phone and dropping meals at people’s front doors.
• A Florist in Melbourne is now sourcing fresh fruit and veggies to make up produce boxes to deliver.
• Erebus Motorsport is now using its skills to manufacture medical supplies for health care workers on the front line
• Commercial wholesaler the Providores is now open to the public for their Coffs Harbour depot instead of just servicing businesses.
• A small bar in Sydney’s inner west, came up with the idea of using the now-closed bar to make home delivery cocktails.
• Short-term accommodation company Beyond a Room is now offering accommodation to those just coming back from trips overseas who needed to book somewhere to self-isolate and have food and essential items brought to their room
• Paint Your Town in Coffs Harbour is now offering online classes and will deliver equipment to its patrons
• Body Electric Dance Studios decided to close its doors on Tuesday and will now stream classes to its dance groups.
• Women’s fashion retailer Millers has partnered with Be Fit Meal Program to deliver ready-to-eat meals at a time when most people aren’t heading to the shops.
• Children’s educational activity program GymbaROO is working to transition online by filming the classes so parents can log into a portal and do them with their kids
• Toormina Hotel has re-purposed their bottle shop and drive thru into a ‘Local Liquor & Essentials’ store. Offering daily essentials such as fresh food, pantry staples, toilet paper, sanitizer, beer, wine, spirits and more.

If your business needs help finding good staff to support you through this time – contact ETC’s Business Relationship Team on 1800 007 400 or lodge your vacancy online >

Shop Local Online

Lisa McPherson is a small business owner on the Mid North Coast who works with a number of local Chambers of Commerce. Wanting to help Aussie businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lisa created this site to help people find out what their local businesses are doing and to keep them in the supply chain. This Business directory is free for businesses to list.

Find out more >