Managing a small business during the Corona Virus outbreak:

A tap has been turned off, in the blink of an eye - all revenue is falling away. This is the experience of many small businesses, mine included.

We know that the taps will be open again, but we don't know when. Most of us, who have battled on through the Credit Crunch, Great Recession and Brexit uncertainty have little or no reserve. We are the JAM's of the business world (Just about Managing).

The government knows that with the taps closed, the death of many businesses is imminent. Their response is to offer us bottled water, to keep us going. With bottled water you cannot bathe your children, wash your clothes or even shower yourself, but... you can survive.

With bottled water and determination, we can hold out until the taps switch on again. Even when you switch a tap off, a few drops will still flow. In this difficult time, I still have hope for the future.

By keeping positive, adapting our services and evolving the way we work, we can survive. Talk to customers, understand their challenges. Working from home can be isolating and lonely, they may not be able to buy your services right now - but they will appreciate your time. They will appreciate your effort.

My final thought for today - Pick up the phone, where possible and talk. Talk to clients, suppliers, staff - keep talking, keep sharing and find ways to support one another.