OPINION: While we wait on Monday afternoon for an update from the government on their alert level decisions, it is becoming increasingly clear that we cannot expect life to return to “normal” anytime soon.
This is difficult for small businesses trying to keep up with a changing situation.
We’re doing what we can to help small businesses – Stuff posted a directory of food and beverage delivery companies delivering during the lockdown. If you or someone you know is on the list, there’s an easy form to fill out.
Spread your favorites so anyone who wants can invest their money in local businesses.
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* News about wage subsidies for companies “positive”
* Call for more support for businesses closing in Covid-19 Level 3
* Prosper Small Business Resilience Survey shows the wage subsidy is well received
Here are five more things small businesses should know this week …
ROBERT KITCHIN / stuff
Treasury Secretary Grant Robertson said thousands of wage subsidy applications had already been processed by Friday afternoon.
Applications open
Applications for wage subsidies were opened on Friday. If the change in alert level has caused your business revenue to decrease by at least 40 percent, you can apply for $ 600 per week per full-time employee, including yourself, if you typically have personal income from your business.
Starting tomorrow, you can also apply for the promotion rewards available to companies whose sales have fallen by 30 percent. This is available at a cost of $ 1500 plus 400 per full-time equivalent employee, up to a maximum of 50. It is designed to cover your other expenses.
Information on the wage subsidy
Robyn Walker, Deloitte’s tax partner, has some advice for companies applying for the wage subsidy. She urges people to document their revenue declines well and be ready to show how they were eligible for the subsidy when asked to do so later.
Do you do video marketing?
When you’re stuck at home, it can be a little tricky figuring out ways to get your business known. Marketing expert Rachel Klaver says you should consider video marketing. You can do this from your kitchen table – she recommends putting your camera on a tripod, but says paying attention to light and sound can make a really good video.
Delivered / material
Big Apple butcher Sam Hunter had to deal with a wave of canceled orders as the land went into level 4.
Don’t forget the other emergency …
With attention to Covid, it can be easy to forget about other things that would normally get international attention – like climate change. Rachel Brown, Founder and General Manager of the Sustainable Business Network, has provided a guide to six steps small businesses can take to make their contribution to the climate. These include energy efficiency in the workplace, moving to cleaner vehicles, and making long distance calls instead of traveling together.
What is essential?
There is still confusion about what is considered essential at Level 4. Butchers are upset that they can’t open their stores or offer click-and-collect, while some workers question their bosses’ requests to come to work. The government has set out its official advice, including that workers should not go to work if a level 4 service cannot function safely.
Business Editor Susan Edmunds offers vital advice and insight every week through our free Prosper Small Business Newsletter. With so much pressure on business owners, we’re sharing this week’s newsletter for all of Stuff’s readers. If you’re a small business, sign up to receive the newsletter straight to your inbox every Monday.
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