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The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many companies to
cut back or lay off majority of their workforce in order to survive the global
health and financial crisis. But three companies based in the Philippines went
against the odds and remained proactive: they hired more people, extended
operational hours and kept regular client visits to keep their businesses
going.
According to Solane distributor Grace Bernal of
Trianna Trading, she had to increase her personnel during the height of the
pandemic to ensure that the Metro Manila-based company remains fully
operational. “I hired more personnel so the company won’t be paralyzed. When
one couldn’t report to work, there’s someone who can temporarily take over.”
Currently, she has a total of 70 office staff and
26 riders for all 13 Solane showrooms around NCR including Caloocan,
Mandaluyong, Marikina, Montalban, Novaliches, Quezon City, San Juan, and San
Mateo. Increasing her staff means she also has to work extra hard to boost the
company’s sales. “We had to look beyond what’s happening now and
think of what’s going to happen, what we need to do next. For me, that meant
doing everything we can to penetrate the market — go back to distributing
flyers, kungsaanangmaramingtao, we will go there with our staff. There’s also
the internet. Maraminang groups and marketplaces ngayon and we joined most of them.”
Similarly, Ronald Solis, owner of RL Solis LPG
Trading and a Solane dealer in Laguna, not only had to increase store hours but
hired more personnel for his six showrooms. “We’re just lucky
because our business is one of the most flexible and durable in times of
crisis. That’s why we improved our delivery and increased our stock inventory.
I also gradually extended store hours because some staff were coming in late
and we needed people to accommodate inquiries and orders.”
Fortunately, their business strategies paid off.
Unlike their competitors, they defied the business crisis that came with the
pandemic. “With many independent LPG companies closing in my area, I
used that as an opportunity to intensify our conversion method. We improved our
service, and because of that, we were able to gain the trust of our old and new
customers,” he said.
Instead of reducing operational hours and limiting
client calls, GerlieGacad-Madrid, admin head of AMG Trading in La Union, shares
that they made sure to regularly reach out to clients. “We believe that our
continuous communication with our outlets built a strong foundation on business
relations.” She, along with her staff of 21, amped up efforts to reach out to
their clients: “We initiated calls to our clients, especially the poultry
farms, and booked orders for delivery. When the Enhanced Community Quarantine
(ECQ) was eased to Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ), a lot of
business establishments were allowed to open. We took this opportunity to visit
all our retail outlets and assured them of our committed service despite the
risks brought by this pandemic.”
These business owners also credit Solane’s efforts
in helping them seamlessly implement their business strategies for their
respective companies. To make sure their personnel remain protected and healthy
for work during the ongoing pandemic, the leading LPG brand provided financial
assistance and protective personal gear such as masks, alcohol and
vitamins. Solane has also relaxed its disbursement terms for LPG hauling,
giving these dealers enough leeway for their payments especially during the
lockdown when mobility was limited.
It’s true that the pandemic has brought with it a
lot challenges especially for businesses but, as can be seen from the thriving
operations of Trianna Trading, RL Solis LPG Trading and AMG Trading, being
quick to adapt and formulate crisis strategies can help any business survive
and flourish in the new normal.
