Covid 19 - Resources and Advice for Businesses
We have collated the following resources, advice and businesses to help businesses who have been effected by the Covid19 situation
Small Business Together
Are you a small business or sole trader looking to talk to others about the current situation? This Facebook group is is a forum for small businesses and sole traders in Guernsey to share information, inspiration, ideas and support of adapting our businesses during these difficult times
Financial Advice & Planning
Below is a list of guides, media and information to assist you through this time.
Links to the high street banks who are all participating in the Guernsey States-backed loan guarantee scheme are included below. Further information about the loan scheme can be found here.
New advice and information is arriving daily and so these pages will be updated as quickly as possible to reflect these changes but please do visit the States of Guernsey Website.
Cash Flow Management Webinar
Grant Thornton and HSBC ran a free webinar to help businesses with understanding their cash flow, the loan guarantee scheme and other Government support. Please click below to view their recording with the password t9!31*?^)
Find further support on cash flow management, including the Grant Thornton & HSBC presentation and templates on this article here
Free Access To Finance Navigator
EY is offering small businesses and start-ups 3 months free access to EY Finance Navigator. EY Finance Navigator is online financial planning software, which can calculate, on a monthly basis, the impact of different scenarios by modelling cash flow, funding requirements and profitability.
Reaching out to your Bank
Barclays
Barclays know that customers might be concerned about cash-flow at the moment and you may need extra financial support to help your business through this time. Barclays is supporting the States of Guernsey Loan Guarantee Scheme and their business banking experts can talk you through the other financing options available to you based on your individual business and personal circumstances. Click ‘more information’ to complete our 5 questions to see if you qualify for the government scheme, as well as tips on how to keep your business safe from fraud during this crisis.
For further information, customers can contact their Relationship Manager or Gez Overstall who will ensure your enquiry is routed correctly
HSBC
HSBC is taking part in the government-backed business disruption loan scheme announced by the States of Guernsey. This is available for our customers who are viable small and medium sized businesses, to help them continue to trade through these uncertain times. It extends the package of support measures we have in place for business customers.
HSBC have produced a fact sheet for existing customers about the Disruption Guarantee Scheme
For further information, customers can contact their Relationship Manager or ciiom.business.banking@hsbc.com
Lloyds Bank Foundation for the Channel Islands
The Lloyds Bank Foundation for the Channel Islands has released additional funds, meaning more than £250,000 is available immediately to help any COVID-19 related charitable relief activities. If approved, funding will be fast tracked and available within one to two weeks.
Natwest International/RBSI
Natwest have a number of personal & business support offerings available to existing customers in regards to the covid 19. Visit the link below to access their information about the Business Disruption Guarantee Scheme and their online application tool.
I have questions, who can help me further at this time?
All businesses and personal circumstances are different. One of your first steps should be to talk to your accountant, who will be best placed to discuss your financial position and what you should do next.
If you do not already have an accountant, below is a list of individuals and businesses who are offering their time free of charge to support where possible in these challenging times.
Richard Stapley Limited, Chartered Accountants
Please visit their Facebook page for advice on current business support programmes and contact directly for advice and support for SMEs.
De Garis Accounting
De Garis accounting have a number of excellent articles here and are offering advice and support for SMEs including a free consultation and guidance for cloud accounting.
Cleland & Co Limited
Cleland & Co have produced guidance on completing the States of Guernsey Business Support forms which can be found here. They are providing advice and support for SMEs, including a free consultation.
Chameleon Business Solutions
Chameleon are offering a full business overview and strategy review, working with business owners to rationalise outgoings and support them through a crisis, the initial review and report is completely free.
Support from GIBA (Guernsey International Business Association)
Guernsey International Business Association (GIBA) has published guidance for businesses along with a database of local professionals who are willing to advise local business owners who may be facing financial or other difficulties as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Volunteer Advisers
The volunteer advisers include accountancy and law firms, individual accountants, financial advisers, investment advisers, non-executive directors and other professional advisers.
Experts from BDO and KPMG, alongside the GIBA committee, have collaborated to compile a set of frequently asked questions that business owners can refer to.
Articles on Financial Planning
Cash Flow Management
This article provides information about the various considerations of cash flow for a business, including top tips from Natwest and FreeAgent
Managing Your Accounts and Finances
Find some helpful hints and tips for managing your finances for SMEs
Considering Your Business Resilience
Planning ahead is important in these changing times, with the article below from HSBC stepping you through areas to consider in your planning
IoD 2020 SoundBoard Programme
The Institute of Directors has launched a SoundBoard Programme, which is designed to provide counsel and support to those who require it.
It can be lonely at the top of an organisation. Colleagues look to you for decisive guidance, to show leadership and to keep things on an even keel. Covid-19 has resulted in a highly challenging time for business with developments rapidly unfolding and many unanswered questions about what the future will hold. Leaders are needing to make decisions in response to circumstances that have not arisen previously. This may be a particularly difficult time for business owners who do not have senior colleagues to act as a sense-checker or sounding board.
Business Advice & Support
In these challenging times it can be hard to know which decisions to make for the best. Talking to an expert in the field may help you navigate where to go next.
Below is a short list of services and individuals who have kindly offered their time and expertise for free to support the SME community. In addition, visit the StartUP Hub Service Directory for a full list of businesses who offer services to SMEs.
To be added to either of the listings, please email the team on team@digitalgreenhouse.gg
HR & Employment
Focus HR
Focus HR have an ever growing number of news articles to help you consider your HR responsibilities and needs, including an FAQs about employment relationship at this time.
Situations Recruitment
Situations would like to announce their new free CV review service to any office workers who are seeking employment or have sadly been made redundant at this difficult time. If you don’t have a CV you can download a FREE CV template on their website.
Walkers LLP
Walkers LLP have put together a series of articles around employment for businesses who are being effected.
An employers guide to exhausted staff
Six point guide for working from home
Protecting your business and securing your workforce
Labour Force
Labour Force are a resource for temporary staffing. During this time we can offer ad hoc manual labour and drivers to cover absences, or just to take away the employment admin burden.
Call Ross on 07781 400 140
Cyber Security & IT
Black Arrow
Black Arrow is a Guernsey based cyber security consultancy offering specific information and advice for businesses. Contact them on contact@blackarrowcyber.com or phone 01481 711988.
Here are their top tips for SMEs
Donkey Logic
Donkey Logic are offering advice and support on taking your business and services online, contact them below to find out more.
Training and Events
A range of IT companies are providing training on the use of digital tools for businesses, a full list can be found on the Digital Greenhouse events calendar. These include sessions on using cloud services, cyber security and marketing.
HSBC Cyber Security
Learn about these 5 ways in which you may be leaving your business vulnerable to cyber intruders
Legal Advice
Pollet Chambers LLP
Marketing, Design & PR
AB Design
AB Design are offering a 'buy now pay later' packages. Aimed at all businesses who would like to use this time to get their brand, website and marketing materials ready for a time after the Coronavirus.
Black Vanilla
If you need help with your internal or external communications in response to Covid-19, the team at Black Vanilla is happy to offer businesses, charities or community groups a free- of-charge consultation. If you are worried about your internal comms, social media or crisis communication
Copper
If you need help setting up, or utilising, your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn etc. profiles, contact Copper for a FREE 30-minute online consultation along with 25% off Social Media Setup.
Crowd Media
If you are a business owner or have responsibility for the marketing and communications of the brand you work for, Crowd Media are offering a free consultation to provide expert advice and support at this time. They have also written a useful and timely article: Considered communications in a crisis - click here to read.
Orchard PR
Orchard PR can assist with communications and PR at this time, they have also published an article about managing crisis communications in the COVID 19 world which can be viewed here.
Chameleon Business Solutions
Chameleon are offering 'work now, pay later' creative work with extended terms and discounted rates, this includes a new rebrand, website development, social media support and creative design.
Wellbeing & Mindset
This is an extremely challenging time for every person and considering wellbeing is crucial for continued health.
Unleashing Potential - virtual coaching sessions
Jon Buckland from Unleashing Potential is offering support for small businesses with free virtual coaching sessions during these turbulent times.
Considerations for physical wellbeing
In this article, we take a look at the latest guides released by One Step North and Aspire2Be about keeping good health while working from home and 5 ways to boost your immune system in these adverse stressful times.
Health Connections
Health Connections is here to help ensure that all people in the Bailiwick are connected to support and information that enables them to live a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life.
Welcome Home Website
This great initiative by Dan White is a directory of community wellbeing businesses and their services during lockdown.
Where else can I go to for advice?
Chamber of Commerce
The Guernsey Chamber of Commerce offer support for all types of businesses. Their industry leads are on hand to offer sector specific advice, helping you navigate these difficult times.
Citizens Advice
Citizen's advice offer free, friendly and confidential support for all within the community.
StartUp Hub Network Directory
There are a wide range of industry bodies and networking support groups in Guernsey. If you have not yet taken a look at joining, now is a good time to reach out and find your network through the link below
