|
In this issue:
- Business as usual? Not so much... Survey results in.
- Check out our COVID-19 Resources: Tips and Info you need now
- WEBINAR: COVID-19 Requirements for Employers
- Conference 2020 - CANCELLED, but Save the Date for 2021!
- Status Update: Project Awards and Student Scholarships
- Working from home? Complete our Salary Survey by May 1st
- General Membership Meeting and Board Elections
- Welcome our New Members
- Upcoming Events - the e.Calendar
We asked: "How is your business navigating the COVID-19 pandemic?" Survey Results are now in!
As events and data are changing daily we wanted to send out a quick survey to our members to see how everyone is handling the COVID-19 pandemic and what we can do to help.
Thank you for all your responses! Please download the full survey PDF HERE >>
COVID-19 Resource Page w/Tips & Resources
Download NEW US Chamber of Commerce Emergency Small Business Loans & Loan Forgiveness Info PDF HERE >>
Answers the questions:
- Am I eligible?
- What will lenders be looking for?
- How much can I borrow?
- Will this loan be forgiven?
Please use these resources and tips as you plan for the impact of Coronavirus on your business. These tips are important to address immediately and continually over the next 30 to 60+ days. -From CDC Small Business Finance’s Business Advisors Last update: March 23, 2020
Below you will find Key Resources, Tips for All Businesses, Tips for Retail/Customer-facing businesses and Tips for Office/Indirect customer contact businesses.
Please note: Please bookmark this document, as it will be updated with new resources and tips on a regular basis by CDC Small Business Finance’s Business Advising team.
Stay connected. Get the most recent news from CDC Small Business Finance
KEY RESOURCES
SBA (Small Business Administration)
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center
Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339)
e-mail [email protected]
San Diego County: San Diego County Coronavirus Disease Updates
San Diego SDG&E: SDG&E Suspends Service Disconnections for Nonpayment as a Part of Its Coronavirus Response
Los Angeles County Economic Development: Los Angeles Updates
City of Sacramento: CityofSacramento.org/Emergency-Management/COVID19
California: Information for employers, employees and all Californians as it relates to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
EMERGENCY GRANTS/LOANS
IRS:
SBA Disaster Loan: Disaster Loan Online Application
Facebook Business Grants: https://www.facebook.com/business/grants
Los Angeles City: Los Angeles City Small Business Emergency Microloan
San Diego South County EDC: South County Business Emergency Loan Program
City of Sacramento Emergency Loan: Covid19 Relief Fund Loan
TOP TIPS FOR ALL BUSINESSES
CUSTOMER COMMUNICATION
It's critical to communicate openly with your customers about the status of your operations, your ability to provide service/deliver goods/perform work.
Include the proactive protective measures you've implemented, and how they (as customers) will be assured when they visit your business or you visit them
Make sure to reference cleanliness, and the training of your employees.
Utilize your email marketing and social media outlets, ASAP and with regular updates. As you serve your customers on social platforms, thank them for their business and how you appreciate referrals and/or positive social media posts so that others will know your business is up and running.
EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATION AND INVOLVEMENT
Communicate daily with your employees about your immediate plans, for the first 30 days, and then for 60 days. Set up a distribution list, conference call, etc.
Prioritize the health and wellness of co-workers and customers. Make sure they know not to come in if sick or have symptoms - the same goes for owners/management.
Get Co-workers involved - Have ‘virtual meeting/conference call’ to get ideas for sales, efficiency, customer service. Find out who wants to work, has to work and who shouldn’t work due to various concerns (exposure, family, etc)
Strongly encourage co-workers to notify you as soon as possible if they have symptoms, been exposed or can’t work for other reasons (kids home, transportation, etc.)
Explain to your staff any temporary measures you put in place.
SUPPLY CHAIN COMMUNICATION
Communicate with suppliers. Understand any supply chain limitations.
Ensure you have sufficient inventory and find alternate suppliers if necessary.
Negotiate extended payment terms.
Contact the CDC and/or your bank if you are unable to meet your loan commitments.
If possible, set up your business for take-out orders and deliveries through Instacart, Post-mates, Door Dash, GrubHub, Uber Eats, etc.
MANAGE YOUR CASH FLOW
Budget for the upcoming 30 days or 60 days.
Reduce overhead, all discretionary and non-essential expenses.
Cut back on staffing/payroll if necessary.
Stay compliant with HR laws/regulations.
Explain to your staff about your temporary measures.
IMPLEMENT SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGIES AND TACTICS
Don’t stop selling and marketing
For large/commercial orders consider offering discounts (2-5%) for early payments
Promotions may encourage customers who may have been reluctant to sign contracts or to come to your business. In addition, offer 10% non-cancellation benefits or discounts, and specials on gift certificates, i.e. $20 for $30 value.
The majority of the population is on the internet with their smartphones or computers. Utilize your email marketing and social media outlets and with regular updates and promotions.
But don’t panic – don’t bombard your digital audience with constant emails and posts. Do social media daily, email marketing once or twice a month with meaningful information.
Thank your customers for their business. Ask them to post on Yelp/Facebook/Instagram about how you are open for business, etc.
BEWARE OF SCAMS
Exercise Caution
Be leery of scams that may emerge – scammers will appear as if they are striving to assist business owners struggling with the effects of the Coronavirus.
Beware of predatory lenders, suppliers, etc. Seek the advice of reputable Business Advisors.
TIPS FOR RETAIL/CUSTOMER FACING BUSINESSES
Negotiate with the Landlord for concessions (reduction, slower payment, late fee waiver, etc)
Train/Retrain coworkers to be hypervigilant with cleanliness, health, safety.
Modify business hours of operation as needed
Put signs in windows to communicate with customers
Discourage sick customers (fitness centers, coffee houses, etc.). Show gratitude for their patronage, but note that safety must come first
Modify staffing schedule – Ask who has to work and who doesn’t
If necessary- temporarily close down.
Post your business status on social media – “We’re open…Normal Hours, Reduced Hours, ” whatever applies.
Franchisees should contact franchisor rep and request “Royalty Holiday” in writing
Cross-train coworkers so you’re able to function with limited crew.
Expect to be hands-on in your business. Serving customers, cleaning, etc.
Convert Self Serve stations to Full Serve (ex. Toppings at yogurt shops or salad bars)
TIPS FOR OFFICE/INDIRECT CUSTOMER CONTACT
Establish work from home options where possible/necessary
Notify customer of your work from home status
Explain any changes to interacting with you/your company
Specify work hours, preferred communication (email, phone, etc).
Explain possible delays in reply/servicing, etc.
Show empathy to clients as they may be undergoing personal and business distress
Reminder: Please bookmark this document as CDC Small Business Finance’s Business Advising team will be updating it regularly/frequently with valuable new resources and tips.
WEBINAR: COVID-19 Requirements for Employers
Presented by Van Allyn Goodwin, Littler Law
Friday April 10th, 11:00am PDT
Many of our members have pressing questions regarding their business operations during this time of crisis. We surveyed our mailing list on March 25-27th, 2020 and found some of their pressing issues to be around new COVID-19 regulations, essential business functions and employment/payroll.
Van's presentation will help to answer the following three question topics:
- What are the new COVID-19 laws (federal, state and local) and what do they require?
- What are the exemptions and do we fall into those areas?
- How do employers comply on a legal and practical level?
He will briefly mention the new CARES act but will NOT be covering details on SBA loans, applications and requirements as this will primarily be focused on employment law.
Van will address these issues and more in a 30-40min presentation followed by open question and answer period. Only live webinar attendees may participate in the Q&A. Webinar will be recorded and available on our Members Club site for all CalGeo member firms and employees.
Cost: Free for CalGeo Members (Click Members Club link to get discount code), $25 for non-members.
Note: CalGeo Members must enter a discount code for free registration. Login to our Members Club page for the secret code!
 Please register for COVID-19 Requirements for Employers Webinar on Apr 10, 2020 11:00 AM PDT at:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1731864260587784206
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Brought to you by GoToWebinar®
Annual Conference 2020 - CANCELLED...
But Save The Date for 2021 in Indian Wells!
If you haven't heard, our Annual Conference in Squaw Valley is unfortunately cancelled due to the novel coronavirus/COVID-19 epidemic. We are offering refunds or the opportunity to credit your registration towards next year's conference with a simple on-line form HERE>>
If you do not complete the online form by April 30th, we will assume you would like your registration credited towards our 2021 conference.
So here's something to look forward to! Save the date now for April 28-30, 2021 at the Hyatt Indian Wells near beautiful Palm Springs. Warm up your golf-game as we are right next to the world famous Indian Wells golf course.
We all need something to get us excited at this crazy time so here are some great features of our host hotel:
- Standard rooms have king or (2) queens PLUS a pull-out couch, mini-fridge, oversized bathrooms
- (40) 1 and 2 bedroom villas available with private pool, jacuzzi or BBQ
- 7 outdoor swimming pools, one is adult-only
- 62ft water slide and new lazy river
- 3 hard surface tennis courts
- Huge indoor gym and fitness center open 24-hrs
- Complimentary fitness classes
- 30,000sq ft Agua Serena spa, one of the best in the desert!
- Next door to Indian Wells Golf Resort, world class 36-hole golf resort with the distinct designs of Clive Clark and John Fought
- Close to great hiking, living desert zoo, shopping, BMW performance center, Joshua Tree National Park
Status Update: Project Awards and Student Scholarships
We are still planning to award our Outstanding Project Awards and Student Scholarships this year but give our committee members a little more time to evaluate the plethora of submissions we received. We hope to notify the winners in the 2nd week of April, send out awards and post recorded project summaries and companion articles.
Working from home? Complete our Salary Survey
Its that time again... warm up your fingers and get to do all that data entry. CalGeo is requesting all member firms submit data for our 2019 salary survey. This is for salaries and bonuses awarded in the calendar year of 2019. We hope to compile the data and release our survey in June.
Instructions for completing and submitting:
- Download excel template HERE>>
- Complete all 4 tabs in excel sheet. Note: Hard copy of survey will be mailed to name and address on 1st tab. Additional copies may be requested via e-mail for internal use only.
 Only use job descriptions listed in YELLOW on survey. If the position is not shown, please leave off the survey.- Please enter location zone of where each employee works using our zone map or click the image at right (incomplete entries slow down processing time)
- E-mail us with any questions!
Data due to [email protected] by May 1st! All submissions will remain strictly confidential.
General Membership Meeting & Board Elections
We plan to hold a virtual General Membership Meeting this year for all our members to attend and vote on a new member to CalGeo's Board of Directors. Please save the date and register for our webcast meeting on Thursday April 23rd at 9:00am. We hope to keep the summary short and offer an open forum at the end for members to pose questions to our board.
Register for Virtual General Membership Meeting NOW >>
All key-contacts will be receiving a ballot in the mail with information on how to vote. We will accept ballots returned via mail or scanned and e-mailed, whatever is easiest for you. If you are the key contact for your organization but feel this is in error, please contact us with the appropriate person (President, Managing Director, Owner etc.) so we can update our database.
Introducing Yvette Wilson of Rock Solid Engineering, running for CalGeo's 2020-2021 BOD:
 Yvette Wilson, P.E. is the Principal Engineer at Rock Solid Engineering, Inc., a small geotechnical consulting firm located in Watsonville, California. Yvette graduated from California State University, Fresno in 1995 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. Yvette started Rock Solid Engineering, Inc. is 2003. The main goal in starting a firm was to be able to provide a level of customer service and engineering that she strives for. We just celebrated 17 years in business! We primarily serve the counties of Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Clara and work on a variety of projects including custom homes, commercial buildings, coastal engineering, and large housing and multi-use developments.
Yvette became a member of Cal Geo in 2015. Yvette is excited at the opportunity to be on the CalGeo Board. She looks forward to expanding CalGeo membership from her local area, supporting continuing education and collaborating with all her esteemed colleagues at CalGeo to further CalGeo’s goals.
How to vote:
- Receive our ballot in the mail (addressed to the Key Contact of each Member Firms) or DOWNLOAD THE BALLOT HERE. As per our bylaws only Member Firms and not individual, academic, or affiliate members receive one (1) vote.
- Review 2019 General Membership Meeting Minutes on-line HERE >>
- Complete the ballot by voting for 3 offices and 7 candidates. Positions of President and Past-President are automatically assumed.
- Scan, photograph and e-mail to [email protected] by April 21st OR mail in your completed ballot by April 21st to our office address:
CalGeo
1048 Irvine Ave. #994
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Welcome CalGeo's Newest Members
We are pleased to welcome a new Affiliate member to the CalGeo family this month:
 HydroGeoLogic, Inc. (HGL) is an industry leader with over 30 years of experience providing comprehensive environmental engineering services by implementing innovative, effective, and sustainable solutions that address today’s environmental, infrastructure, and natural resource challenges. HGL provides environmental engineering, remediation, and construction services, as well as Military Munitions Response Program support to the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Energy, and other federal and state government clients.
The e.Calendar & Upcoming Events - The Geo-Calendar
Quick Browse: SoCal events in ORANGE, NorCal events in GREEN
All events are cancelled for the foreseeable future. We will notify you when we plan to hold a dinner meeting or Emerging Professional event.
Deadlines:
May 1, 2020: Salary survey data from 2019 due
Upcoming Webinars:
April 10, 2020 @ 11am: COVID-19 Requirements for Employers with Van Allyn Goodwin
Early May look for an Economic Forecast webinar with Dr. Robert Eyler (2020 scheduled conference presenter)
|
