Adapting Your Business Model Around COVID-19 Restrictions
By ROCKY RHODES on behalf of the CRG Marketing and Communications Committee
Roaster friends: One thing that seems to be true through major national and international events, economic downturns, and even now with the Covid-19 outbreak, is that people do not stop drinking coffee!
Now that shops are either closing or going to take-away only and restaurants are closing and not serving coffee, where are consumers getting their brew?
In answering that question, you are likely to be able to put together an alternate business model to regain some of the lost business. The CRG MarComms Committee has been doing some brainstorming and we have some initial ideas that might be helpful for you in these confusing times.
Utilize E-commerce
If you do not have an e-commerce site, Cropster has offered up its merchant platform that you can quickly use. If you add your company/products there, then notify your email list – send out your offering and take orders! Click here to visit Cropster’s website for more information.
If you are a roaster, e-commerce is good for bags of coffee. But how to get them delivered?
Barista Delivery Network
Sadly, there are a lot of baristas out of work right now and you can help folks in that situation find work and keep your business going. If you are a shop owner and buy coffee roasted, or you are a wholesale roaster that supplies cafes, form partnerships.
If you’re a roaster who sells individual bags to coffee shops, hire baristas to deliver. If you own a coffee shop and use e-commerce to sell to customers, consider hiring baristas who are seeking work to deliver for you.
Multi-level Marketing of Coffee
If you are a roaster, contact baristas in your area and make a deal: Coffee is on consignment to them. They sell to people they know want it and you split the sale.
In all of these ideas – BE SAFE! If you are delivering, just drop at the door and use electronic payment whenever possible.
It is our hope that these ideas spark the entrepreneur in you! Find the light in the darkness! Be creative! That is what got you into this business and it will be what sees you through these tough times!
We want to hear from CRG members around the world.
What recommendations do you have for other roasters trying to get through the COVID-19 pandemic? Do you have any questions? Join the conversation in the CRG Facebook Forum here.
