Multi-Unit Operator Determined To Keep Business Going During Covid-19
Michael Chalmers has seen Covid-19 affect his multi-unit business. He operates three Spherion Staffing Services offices in Alabama and Georgia and has witnessed firsthand how the pandemic has impacted his business and the companies he works with to connect local job seekers.
He says his own company has experienced a 20 percent drop off. He and his team have been working from home since early April, relying on virtual tools to do business, and using PPE when public contact is necessary. He took some time out in late April to share his perspectives with us.
How has Covid-19 affected your business?
As the owner of multiple Spherion offices in Georgia and Alabama, it has certainly had an impact. Specifically, since pre-Covid-19, my offices have seen of drop of about 20 percent. Interestingly, we are operating in two states that do have stay-at-home orders. However, we do work with several businesses that are essential. Overall, about 60 percent of the businesses that we help staff have not had to lay off any employees — everyone is doing everything in their power to keep their workforce employed.
What are you doing right now to get through this?
Our four offices have been working from home since April 6 — which is about two weeks prior to the mandated stay-at-home orders. Recruiting is a very personal industry. This is new to us, but Spherion has provided a plethora of virtual tools to make it easier. For any on-site work our team has to do, we’ve been working to provide PPE where needed.
Prior to Covid-19, I had 16 employees and have successfully worked to keep all 16. Beyond working remotely, we’ve been strategic in how we are working together to make sure we’re supporting one another. Since there are peaks and valleys in terms of employment and job markets, our staff members have been split up into pairs in different geographies to make sure everyone is set up for success and to spread out the business. This cross-collaboration has allowed team members to rely on one another for resources, share best practices, recruit with each other and support the others’ needs to fill customer orders, onboarding, and hiring needs.
We’re staying close as a team with two daily calls — one in the morning and one in the afternoon. We use this as an opportunity to share solutions, ask questions, and stay engaged with one another. For example, someone is assigned to be the DJ every day and that person is in charge of the theme song for that day. Tomorrow is also “Bring Your Pet to the Call Day.” It’s been a fun way of staying connected, engaged with the team, and make sure everyone feels comfortable and secure in their job.
This year marked our 10-year anniversary and we were planning to do a large community giveback campaign to celebrate. While we definitely were disappointed about having to put the anniversary campaign on hold, we’ve instead invested in our employees and keeping them employed has become the first priority. Once we’re through this, we do plan to invest in our community again, as we all rebuild.
Is your franchisor helping keep you afloat?
The Spherion leadership team was very proactive and began voicing its Covid-19 response within a week of concerns about the virus’ impact on the U.S. The franchisor support goes far beyond the financial concessions. This has been a beyond stressful time for small businesses. I’ve always had plans for every situation and scenario but a health pandemic was never something I had anticipated. Since the start, Spherion has held weekly calls for owners and has poured so much time into helping us navigate the legislation and resources available. They’ve truly held our hand through this and have gone above and beyond to be a strong, supportive partner in this business. I can sleep at night because of them.
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