How a small business enhanced capabilities, motivated the team, engaged clients and bounced back after revenue losses due to the Covid-19 impact on business? This small business case study proves that there is an opportunity in every crisis.
2. Pooja is the owner of a small digital
marketing firm.
A small team of 4 employees to manage
sales, client servicing, content writing,
designing and digital marketing
7 clients
Revenue model: retainership fee
3. Services Offered
Content writing (blog, social media
posts and articles)
Managing PPC campaigns
Email newsletters
Social media management
4. Due to the slowdown during the Covid-19 lockdown:
3 clients cancelled the agreement citing low sales and
reduction in new leads as a reason
1 client decided to put the engagement on hold.
Activities to be restarted after the lockdown is
completely lifted
Problem Statement
5. IMPACT
Pre Lockdown During Lockdown
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
Pre Lockdown During Lockdown
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
COST REVENUE
Pre-Lockdown Post Lockdown Pre-Lockdown Post Lockdown
200K
180K 350K
150K
Monthly revenue
reduced by almost
60%
Only 10% reduction in
cost as employees
started working
remotely
8. Diversified her services and
enhanced team skills
Hired one experienced resource for creating
better quality video content
Sponsored online skill development courses for
current team. Added certification status on
company website for building client trust
Partnered with a third party vendor for providing
chatbot as a service to existing and new clients
9. Offered complementary services
and content to all existing clients
Offered complementary content to all 3 clients
who retained her company. The bonus content
was to help clients promote their company
during the lockdown
Requested video testimonials. This was used to
reach out to new clients
Asked for referrals
10. Revised offer to the remaining 4
clients to win them back
Offered the same deal to the remaining 4 clients
The 1 client who had put the engagement on hold
was offered one month free service. The client
agreed
1 out of the 3 clients who had cancelled the
agreement was back on board with a 25%
discount
11. Ensured the team stays motivated,
focused and positive
Sponsored skill development courses
No salary deductions despite the loss in revenue
Communicated with the team everyday to
update them about the revival plan, explain their
role and set expectations
12. Relentless efforts for new client
acquisition
Reached out to all old leads and referrals with
the digital marketing service package and
chatbot as a service plan
Offered a 30% discount to all clients if retainer
fee was paid annually to improve cash flow
13. IMPACT
1 out of the existing 3 clients opted for the chatbot
plan resulting in a 12% increase in retainer fee
1 client who had cancelled the agreement came back
on board
The 1 client who had decided to keep the activites on
hold was active again
Acquired 3 new clients for digital marketing in one
month via referrals and old leads
Acquired 1 new client for implementing chatbot on
their website