The restriction in movement imposed by the government in FCT, Ogun and Lagos state as a means of curbing the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) presents a lot of limitations for individuals and businesses. People no longer go about their normal activities to patronize their favourite brands and businesses which means no revenue for a lot of businesses this period. Many artisans and entrepreneurs seeing the challenges relating to the current situation resort to spending longer hours in bed, watching TV or activities that do not directly add value to them.

The question now is how can artisans and entrepreneurs prepare for post-COVID-19? How can they be productive even in the lockdown?

Here are some tips to help you become more productive as an artisan or entrepreneur in this lockdown.

1. Keep yourself Updated with Industry Trends:
Beyond looking up on conversations about COVID-19 and the new count of infected cases, be on the lookout for trends in your field. The Coronavirus has undoubted affected many industries and experts are beginning to rethink their strategy for delivering result. To stay relevant, you must be aware of the new changes so you can serve your customers better when activities returns back to normal. This is also the time to increase your knowledge by reading published literature around your industry and improving your skill. For a photographer for instance, you can take this time to learn about new editing software and tools that can enhance the quality of your work.

2. Pick up that Abandoned Project:
Maybe you have always wanted to establish yourself as a thought leader in your field by writing a book or developing a course, but have been faced with time limitations, this is the perfect time to pick up that project and come out of Coronavirus pandemic an author.

3. Learn a New Skill
There is a saying that the future is for those that prepares for it. As times are changing, it is expedient that people develop skills that makes them more relevant in the future. With advancement in AI and big data, artisans and business owners must understand how this can impact their business and pick up skills that sets them on top. There are free courses on online learning platforms like Udemy, Coursera, edX or tutorials on YouTube where you can learn new skills and be better positioned for the future.

4. Expand your Network:
With the lockdown and social distancing, people are spending more time on social media. Joining groups and communities in your area of expertise online, can provide opportunities of meeting like minds and an avenue of building stronger business connections. Taking advantage of this networking opportunity can be a game changer for your business.

5. Offer Online Training Sessions:
Another advantage you can give your business this period is by offering value to your customers or audience through online trainings. Since more people are at home and spends more time online you can leverage that to educate them about your business, products or services. You can organize free or paid trainings using InstaLive, Zoom, GoToWebinar, Whatsapp etc.

6. Brainstorm on Business Ideas:
If your business has been affected by this lock down, now is the perfect time to brainstorm on how you can modify your existing business model to generate an online stream of income. You could also work on new ideas on how to improve your entire business structure after the lockdown.

With all these said, don’t allow yourself to be pressured by the current realities. As you try to stay productive, don’t forget to take time out for yourself, consciously practice self-care, enjoy a meaningful dinner time with your spouse or play time with the kids, have video calls with your friends, and use this time to recharge and rejuvenate yourself.