New York SBDC Research Network

 The US Census Bureau produces a Weekly Pulse Newsletter that offers a perspective on the state of small businesses in the US.  This survey was developed to gauge the business impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US (with some exceptions such as agricultural businesses).  You can subscribe to the Census Bureau surveys - of which there are many - and receive them in your inbox. This stage in the pandemic, when we are focused on returning to "normal",  is an interesting time to take the temperature of how we've borne it. Here are the highlights from their emailed newsletter. You can see periodic pulse reports here . Weekly Pulse Newsletter The U.S. Census Bureau is in a unique position to produce data on the social and economic effects of COVID-19 on American households and small businesses.  Small Business Pulse Survey Updates Explore Data See Data Tables Based on responses collected May 24 through May 30 ,

 There are the trends we read about in journals and newspapers and then there are the observations we make from our own perspective - and they don't always match. Throughout this pandemic, we have been able to see with our own eyes the businesses that have closed temporarily or permanently. Friends can tell us how they have been affected by COVID-19 and it is no surprise.  While we see all these outward signs of a shrinking back, there are also indicators of new growth. We have been busy despite COVID-19. This article in Forbes describes what we have seen as supporters of small business owners: Small businesses were hit hard by COVID-19 but there were also a staggering number of new business starts. Small Business Struggle While New Businesses Surge: A Paradox? by  Dane Stangler "Existing small businesses continue to struggle. New entrepreneurs are seeking opportunities. That is what the data appears to be saying about the state of small business and entrepreneurship amidst th

Here's how 3 women pivoted their small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic Almost a third of small-business owners have had to close their in-person business operations because of government regulations put in place as a response to the pandemic. By Michelle Fox CNBC.com May 18, 2020 9 Entrepreneurs Who Have Rapidly Transformed Their Businesses for the Better A small sample of owners proving that it's possible to regroup and reinvent. Daniel Priestley CEO, Dent Global Entrepreneur.com April 13, 2020 EDITORS' PICK   How Three Small Businesses Are Pivoting To Stay Afloat Amid The Coronavirus Pandemic Maneet Ahuja Forbes.com May 12, 2020 Small Businesses Adapt, Plan for Growth Amid Pandemic Struggles The latest Coronavirus Impact Poll performed by MetLife and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce found that many small businesses are adapting and pivoting their workflows to make it through the pandemic. Matthew D'Angelo, Contributor US Chamber

  Fr ee training is available by ServSafe that specializes in training restaurant and hospitality staff. With restaurant owners faced with the challenges of preparing to re-open, ServSafe offers a number of courses such as ServSafe Delivery-COVID-19 Precautions and   ServSafe Reopening Guidance: COVID-19 Precautions . The real advantage is that this training   provides participants a certificate to hang on their door to reassure customers  that the establishment takes safety seriously and is adhering to a standard of service . Many professionals in the field of hospitality may already be familiar with ServSafe Food Handling as many health departments require it. You can register for the courses available here .   

Small businesses are especially vulnerable to the threat of any sort of disaster and certainly, we are now getting a glimpse of just how much businesses will be affected by the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. As the spread of the disease moves quickly from continent to continent and across the country, we can see healthcare organizations and cities roll out their plan for emergencies such as this. But if there is a task that falls by the wayside for the small business owner, planning for business continuity is probably the one that falls through the cracks. Perhaps lessons learned from myriad climate disasters have prepared business owners for this new threat but if not, there is no time like the present. I've come across a few articles that offer some practical things that business owners can do to mitigate the damage.  ECONOMICS & SOCIETY How Chinese Companies Have Responded to Coronavirus by Martin Reeves , Lars Fæste , Cinthia Chen , Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak and Ke