Slowly but surely businesses will be getting poised toreopen in a measured and reasonable order. That means we find ourselves in anadmirable position. Think about it. How often do you get a Grand Reopening? Don’tbe someone who goes from when will this ever end to okay, now! Weare ready for the quarantine to end, but are we ready with a smooth entry plan?

Many are not. You have the opportunity to put a successful, light-up-the-sky plan into place. Think about it. I’m going to give some ideas for steps without numbering them, because you might order them differently or leave some out…that’s okay. The idea is to be prepped and ready when our businesses reopen.

• Step—Start communicating with customers. What’sthere to say? How about, “Hey, I’ve been missing you! I have a plan for makingit safe for you to visit when I open the doors!” What about, “I have a surprisefor you!” Blogs, newsletters and social media are great for this.
• Step—Welcome signs. It’s not too early to draftwhat you’ll hang outside your door, what information customers may need, whatsteps you’ve taken for shopper safety.
• Step—Celebration! Plan a grand re-opening. Itdoesn’t have to be expensive; as a matter of fact, it shouldn’t be. A simplebut elegant tray of banana bread or cookies is just fine.
• Step—Reordering and restocking. When you placethese orders is based on your business, but you’ll want to look like you have afull offering for your customers. They’ve dealt with the privation of notenough of essential goods and bare shelves for far too long. Be the businessthat breathes a welcome sigh of relief.
• Step—Groom your staff on appropriate verbiage.This isn’t the time to be voicing complaints, frustration, problems. Be thebusiness that gives good vibes. Your customers are tired of all the quibbling.
• Step—Be a blessing to your workers. Whether youwere able to help them during the quarantine or not, you can be a blessing inthe attitude you convey, the sincerity of your message, the willingness youdemonstrate in working with them.
• Step—Plan now for what steps it will take to beready for a closing if the world situation worsens. We have no control over theunseen, but we do have control over our own actions. This caught us all flatfooted, but we can be ready should it happen again!

We’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, folks. Create the impression you want your customers to have of your business. Be creative. Be memorable. Let's light up the sky!