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Last week we heard from Kimble Richardson about stress and mental health during these tough times. Below is a link to the podcast and a PDF called Taking Care of your Behavioral Health: Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation during an Infectious Disease Outbreak. 

Click here to listen to the Podcast
Click here to read the PDF document

Navigating These Challenging Times – A Resource Guide for Small Businesses

As COVID-19 impacts our communities, we’ve all paused a time or two, or several these past couple of
weeks. For many people, small business owners included, you didn’t get into entrepreneurship because
you like looking at balance sheets or profit and loss statements. However, that is one of the first things
small business owners should be looking at. As we navigate these challenging times, we are here to
offer helpful resources for you to better pilot.

1. Assess the Balance Sheet and Protect Cash Flow.
Review your Balance Sheet and look for ways to offset costs during these times. Expense Management
and Cash Flow will be the lifeblood of your business, assess the cash levels and look for efficiencies to
help short term hiccups. Can you reduce inventory costs without sacrificing quality or convenience for
clients? Most importantly, be agile! Being nimble and ready to pivot when needed gives many small
businesses the advantage during tough times. Always plan for your next move!

2. Reach Out to Your Vendors.
Should you find yourself needing to consider rearranging how and when to make certain payments, you
may decide to have conversations with your vendors to arrange alternate payment options aside from
direct debit. To dial in more direct control of your account activity, you could choose to originate ACH
transactions or, potentially, send checks when appropriate. If this is a step you decide to take, make sure
to contact your vendors (both verbally and in writing) and state that you would like to turn the direct
debit function off/revoke authorization, and that you prefer to set up an alternate payment
arrangement. You should also request that the revocation of your previous debit authorization be
provided in writing, so that you can maintain a copy for your records

Remember that you can monitor daily activity through your Business Online Banking platform. Other
options to monitor activity could include Check and ACH Positive Pay, just ask your bank contact for
more information about the services they can provide. Keep in mind that your bankers are there to be
your advocates, so don’t hesitate to contact them with questions or concerns.

3. Monitor Your Accounts.
The great news in banking is you can monitor your accounts from anywhere. You can bank online,
mobile, and some banks have Video Banking Machines to help you monitor, transact, and manage your
bank accounts.

• Check your account balances and your latest transaction information.
• Securely deposit checks with your phone via mobile banking.
• Pay your bills with online bill payment.
• Update your contact information by looking at your account profile to ensure your information is up to date.

4. Call Your Bank.
Don’t shy away from this conversation. Reach out to your banker, believe it or not we want to hear
from you. Many bankers have resources ready to share with you such as disaster assistance from the
SBA https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance . To be eligible for an economic injury
disaster loan through the SBA, you'll need to be located in a disaster-declared country or contiguous
county. This type of loan is open to private organizations or small business owners who have sustained
economic injury because of the declared disaster. For owners and employees there is also an upcoming
webinar found here https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/7739395683332749323 from the Indiana
Workforce Development.

5. Stay Vigilant.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 hasn’t halted scammers. Being mindful to slow down, assess information
that is being presented, and relying on experts around you are all great best practices. If something
sounds too good to be true, it likely is. With emotions high this often when scammers will prey on the
most vulnerable.

Matthew Singleton | Small Business Banking Sales Manager
3610 River Crossing Pkwy, Indianapolis, IN 46240
P 317.566.3122
starfinancial.com

Amanda Rubeck | VP, Sr. Retail Sales Officer
3610 River Crossing Pkwy, Indianapolis, IN 46240
P 317.816.2911 ext. 7330
starfinancial.com

Now that Governor Holcomb’s stay at home order is in effect, news stations are seeing increases in viewership as people look to their local teams for the most up to date information.  We are WRTV have seen these increases in adults 18+ during our various news times:

• 7-9A is up 32.6%;
• our 11P news is up 46.4%; and
• our 4-7P is up 13%. 

I know this is a tough time for many area businesses, but studies do show that those who continue to advertise during these times come out better in the long run.  This is a great time to build your brand with an active audience. 

In addition to broadcast, we can also help you target the cord cutters who are catching up on their shows on connected television channels.  You can use the same targeting capabilities that are available with digital advertising using these “stations.” 

I would be more than happy to talk to you regarding your current business and how we can help you connect with your clients during this time. 

Shannon Takersley
Shannon.Tankersley@WRTV.com