Corona Crisis: Infos for hospitality business owners
Hope you’re all holding up okay. This is a really, really hard time, and there are so many questions around. And while I'm the last one to promote high productivity in times of crisis, small business owners need to face the challenge this shut-down brings and need to keep active for a chance to survive. We're all hoping the government will provide security, help with loans, tax reductions, and more. Until this happens, we need to be proactive. Since last week, we're collecting resources and information in the Feminist Food Club group and I wanted to share what we found here. This post will be regularly updated with new information. First, here are my four encouragements specifically for gastronomy owners, that probably apply to many small businesses.
1, be fast – time is of the essence, don't wait till the real shut down will happen. If you are still open for walk-ins or get bookings, don't trust that this will be possible next week. Come up with what you will do when it happens, and start preparing now. Also, the enthusiasm to support small businesses is super high right now, but this will fade once people set into the new realities and also increasingly face their own loss of income.
2, be creative – brainstorm alternative revenue streams, the easiest one being takeaway but consider, this might not be possible next week. Delivery will become even more important the longer the shutdown is in effect, set up your structures now. Start an online shop, where people can buy gift cards and other products like merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, etc.) or your own products (jams, spice mixtures, sauces etc.). Start a series of videos (published via Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, TikTok, etc) with recipes, cooking instructions, produce presentations, etc. This will not bring you money, but it's a great marketing tool.
3, make it easy – while enthusiasm to support small businesses is still very high, this will fade, so you need to make it as easy as possible for your customers to get all the information and the access: set up an easy online shop with multiple payment options for your products, vouchers, delivery orders, etc. Don't hide your offer, publish your menu and loads of images.
4, communicate – make sure to activate all communication lines with your customers, specifically: website, newsletter, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tik Tok, etc accounts. Communicate your status, offerings, and services in detail on all of them and keep all the info up to date. Don't have a website / Instagram … yet? Set them up asap.Put your service on all the listings that are currently established (see below), leave comments on social media, create smart and easy-to-understand visuals, get the word out!
Good luck!
Loans / Governmental Help
Get your documents in order now, there will be a ton of applications that will delay the process. Rent, taxes, etc: get in touch with your landlord and your Finanzamt to apply for an extension of payment.
Information by the IBB (business development bank of the federal land of Berlin) for short term loans, applications possible from March 19: www.ibb.de/de/wirtschaftsfoerderung/themen/coronavirus/corona-liquiditaets-engpaesse
Information by the KfW (state-owned development bank) for short term loans: www.kfw.de/KfW-Konzern/Newsroom/Aktuelles/KfW-Corona-Hilfe-Unternehmen, English here: www.kfw.de/KfW-Group/Newsroom/Latest-News/KfW-Corona-Hilfe-Unternehmen
Information by the IHK (Chamber of Commerce): www.ihk-berlin.de/service-und-beratung/international/coronavirus-trifft-wirtschaft-4713818#, they also have a daily newsletter.
Information by the DEHOGA (German hospitality association): www.dehoga-bundesverband.de
Information on Kurzarbeitergeld by the Agentur für Arbeit: www.arbeitsagentur.de/news/corona-virus-informationen-fuer-unternehmen-zum-kurzarbeitergeld (application until March 31)
Information by the German Ministry for Economics: www.bmwi.de//Redaktion/DE/Dossier/coronavirus
Hotline des Bundeswirtschaftsministeriums für allgemeine wirtschaftsbezogene Fragen zum Coronavirus: Telefon: 030 18615 1515, Mo– Fr 9:00 bis 17:00 Uhr
Delivery Services
The IHK is in contact with the cab driver association to build a joint platform, we will keep you updated on this. Until then organize your own delivery service, maybe even using former wait staff to deliver in small areas via bike or personal car. Get in touch with other business owners to cooperate.
Albatross – setting up a delivery service, open for more participants, contact info@albatrossberlin.com or WhatsApp 0176 80097982
Gloria Food – free online ordering system: gloriafood.com
RSVP – support on setting up delivery service and online payment (via Stripe): www.insider.rsvp-popup.com/news/2020/easily-set-up-a-takeout-service-with-rsvp
Consulting
Sonia Flöckemeier – Kurzarbeitergeld, loan applications, and more: www.floeckemeier.de
Rechtsberatung Kanzlei Härting – Rechtsfragen zu Verträgen, Kündigungen, Miete, Steuern, Sozialversicherung, Insolvenz und Fördermitteln. Email corona@haerting.de with keywords and your phone number, they will call you back: www.haerting.de/neuigkeit/corona-haerting-helpline-ab-sofort-offen
Krisen-Hotline für die Gastronomie: 030/264748-886, Projekt von VisitBerlin, IBB, Berlin Partner, via Tagesspiegel
Hotline des Bundeswirtschaftsministeriums für allgemeine wirtschaftsbezogene Fragen zum Coronavirus: Telefon: 030 18615 1515, Mo– Fr 9:00 bis 17:00 Uhr
Media
Lists, blogs, pools, etc where you can add your service, send in your stories, etc.
Berlin Gastro Support – new Instagram account by Susanna Maria Glitscher, DM to be added: instagram.com/berlingastrosupport
Choco – building a website to list all available delivery, voucher services, etc, enter your service here: supportgastro.com
Dining At A Distance – listings of restaurant services: delivery, takeout: diningatadistance.com/berlin
Google Map & Spreadsheet – created by Angelika Schwaff: link to the spreadsheet and the map (you can add your info yourself)
Helfen.berlin – platform to buy vouchers, currently build and ready March 20: helfen.berlin
Stil in Berlin – post on the blog, Instagram, Facebook – add your service as a comment
Support Berlin Gastro – Instagram account collecting info: instagram.com/supportberlinfood
Tip Berlin – Corona Live Blog, send your story to niedenthal@gcmberlin.de
Articles, News
How not to go broke as a freelancer
How to market your hotel during slow periods or recessions
Ashtin Berry: For hospitality workersAshtin Berry: For hospitality business owners
Free webinar on what is tax-deductible in Germany by Freelancing Womxn
More
Petition for immediate financial help for gastronomy businesses in Germany
Petition für 6 Monate Grundeinkommen / basic income
Facebook grants for advertising, available soon: www.facebook.com/business/boost/grants