So many businesses have closed their doors recently, but there are ways of doing business even if the lights aren’t on.

Change your product / change your market. 

Restaurants are now selling groceries – which not only helps them make money on items they already have, but more importantly, it fills a customer need. This second aspect is what creates customer loyalty. Customers don’t really care that you have a fridge full of food that will go bad if not enough delivery orders are made. But they do care about their own empty fridges and if you can help them solve that problem, even if you aren’t a grocery store, they will remember that you were there for them in their time of need.

For some food suppliers, their markets have dried up as universities and theme parks have closed. Changing their markets to individual buyers has not only helped their bottom line, but, like the restaurant example, it shows customers that you were there for them when they needed help. One added benefit is being able to expand your market, creating additional revenue, even when your original markets reappear.

Either way, find the opportunities rather than focusing on the obstacles. How can you be of service in these strange times? How can you provide for the customers looking for your products?