COVID-19 - Lock down

**Dave A** · 23-Mar-20, 08:30 PM

So South Africa has a 21 day lock down commencing midnight Thursday 26th March 2020 and ending midnight Thursday 16th April.

Things just got real.

**Dave A** · 23-Mar-20, 08:36 PM

Please post links in this thread to information to the financial support programs being put in place.

e.g. Apparently there is going to be support via the UIF program.
There will be relief in PAYE payments.
Emergency personnel and various categories of business activities will be designated as "essential" and will keep operating.

It sounds like specifics will be coming out "shortly".

**EAB** · 26-Mar-20, 06:12 PM

They are looking at temporary relief from SDL and UIF.

The relief on PAYE is that you can short pay with up to 20% of your PAYE for the next 4 months. Nowhere does it state that you get a discount of the 20% PAYE. Thus you will have to pay the 20% x 4 months after the 4 month period is done. So you will then almost pay double PAYE in one month after everything is back to "normal".

If your cashflow can handle it, I'd rather pay the full PAYE than extending it and then sitting with a big amount 4 months down the line

**Theodore** · 27-Mar-20, 05:49 PM

Indeed. But physical lockdown does not, and should not, mean mental lockdown. Here are 3 tips for business owners to stay mentally strong under the circumstances:

1. Daily meditation
2. Practise gratitude
3. Visualise your goals

Now is the time to slow down, take a step back and reflect, re-prioritise and re-strategise. In short, start planning for when things return to some semblance of normality, at least in a business sense. This will help you to either maintain or build momentum during this time and hit the ground running when you can get back to business.

**Theodore** · 28-Mar-20, 12:42 PM

HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE SALES DURING AND POST-COVID 19?

Right now businesses are struggling. Sales have either dropped or are dropping. Various companies/employers have had to make tough decisions about laying off employees. It is a tough time for everyone concerned.

However, from a strategic perspective, now is the best time to reflect on and re-strategise your sales process. This is a useful plan for two reasons:

1) It will enable you to adapt to the current circumstances
2) It will help you to build momentum and be ready once the worst of the pandemic is over.

With this in mind, here are some steps that you can use to improve your sales both now and after the crisis:

1. Identify where you need sales to improve. Is it only one product or service, or all of them?

2. Re-assess your target market. Are you marketing your service/product to the right market? Do some Target Market Research.

3. Assess your customer service and sales processes. Identify any issues that may need to be rectified.

4. Consider hiring a sales/business coach.

5. Determine if you have any sales weaknesses and learn how to fix them.

If you need help with any of these strategies, please feel free to reply to this post. I'm offering a FREE coaching/strategy call for business owners, managers and entrepreneurs to provide coaching support.

**adrianh** · 28-Mar-20, 03:48 PM

Please stay on topic.

**Blurock** · 31-Mar-20, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by Theodore

Indeed. But physical lockdown does not, and should not, mean mental lockdown. Here are 3 tips for business owners to stay mentally strong under the circumstances:

1. Daily meditation
2. Practise gratitude
3. Visualise your goals

Now is the time to slow down, take a step back and reflect, re-prioritise and re-strategise. In short, start planning for when things return to some semblance of normality, at least in a business sense. This will help you to either maintain or build momentum during this time and hit the ground running when you can get back to business.

So are you a business coach? You have not completed your profile.

**Blurock** · 31-Mar-20, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by EAB

They are looking at temporary relief from SDL and UIF.

The relief on PAYE is that you can short pay with up to 20% of your PAYE for the next 4 months. Nowhere does it state that you get a discount of the 20% PAYE. Thus you will have to pay the 20% x 4 months after the 4 month period is done. So you will then almost pay double PAYE in one month after everything is back to "normal".

If your cashflow can handle it, I'd rather pay the full PAYE than extending it and then sitting with a big amount 4 months down the line

This is a way to assist with cash flow, which is the second most important thing in a business, after customers. Cash flow may assist you in buying product/materials to supply your customers.I anticipate some shortages due to factories being closed and imports being restricted. You can only make the sale if you can deliver the goods.

**Theodore** · 01-Apr-20, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by Blurock

So are you a business coach? You have not completed your profile.

Yes Blurock. I'm a Business Growth and Leadership coach. Haven't had the time to complete my profile but I'll get on it. Thanks for letting me know. Hope you're taking it easy.

**adrianh** · 01-Apr-20, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by Theodore

Yes Blurock. I'm a Business Growth and Leadership coach. Haven't had the time to complete my profile but I'll get on it. Thanks for letting me know. Hope you're taking it easy.

How many successful businesses do you have? What is your net worth?