By John Dias, Managing Director, Silver Bullet PR
Different companies and organisations have adapted different strategies to survive the Coronavirus crisis. Here’s how some are coping :-
Gillie & Blair
Steve Gillie, Managing Director, commented, “As ship owners, ship agents and brokers, our trade is the sea transport of dry bulk cargoes such as steel, aggregates, scrap metal and agricultural bulks like grains and fertilisers and our vessels regularly call in the North East ports. Virtually all UK and European ports and terminals are operating, although loading and discharging operations are sometimes delayed in ports due to staff shortages .
Up till now cargo volumes have remained fairly steady but as activities on construction sites are reduced there will be less demand for building materials and with production ceased in the automotive sector and similar stories with other manufacturers we are noting a gradual decline in demand.
We are also active in the offshore renewable sector and note that a number of planned mobilisations and movements have been postponed for the time being.
Presently all our maritime crew are fit and healthy and we have taken steps to try and ensure that remains the case by limiting exposure to shore personnel to the minimum and taking the appropriate measures to protect crews on board.
Most of our Head Office staff are working from home but we have key personnel at the office and are continuing to operate and carry the important goods and materials that the country needs.”
Dere Street Homes
Sales & Marketing Director, Marie McQuaid, said, “To protect the general public, our office and site staff, all our developments are now closed but we’re able to let interested buyers view plans, photos and the actual site details over the Internet through a digital facility that allows our sales staff who are working from home to discuss individual requirements and show different homes at our developments.”
“We’re able to operate our Head Office facility remotely and we’re seeing a huge surge in website traffic but like everyone else, we’re not able to say definitively when this will convert to actual sales. Customers can contact us as usual via telephone or email whilst our main concern is the health and safety of our own staff and contractors and our buyers.”
Ponteland Community Middle School
Head Teacher, Dr Caroline Pryer, said, “I am humbled, proud and encouraged by children, parents, staff and community in our civic response to the COVID-19 virus. The disappointment of the Y6 children not doing their KS2 SATs after 18 months of preparation; the sadness at not being able to say goodbye to their friends; the dawning of staying at home and learning online will impact on them in time to come. There is some healing to be done. In the meantime, the kindness, care and compassion from so many to those in isolation, in social distance schools and hospitals is warming. Like the new spring sun, bringing hope, silent strength and shared resilience.”
“As a school we have adapted well. Teachers collated quickly relevant work for the children with many in conversation through the online systems commenting on their achievements. Staff are in rosters responding to the NHS keyworkers’ needs. These children are having lovely days in school and shine with pride at their parents’ contributions. Personal hygiene is much more routine. Deep cleaning is taking place in school and rooms mothballed for future discussions. We are in ‘Phase1’ up to the Easter holidays and will review and adapt to requests and requirements. We are learning a new normal. As we are all in this together for the long haul, we are grateful of being here, making a contribution and working to a healthy future.”
Ernest Café & Cobalt Studios
Mark Collett, Director of Ernest and Cobalt Studios, commented, “I’m sure everyone would agree that the last two weeks have been a surreal rollercoaster. The announcement on the 16th March that people should stay away from cafes, bars and restaurants marked the beginning of one of the most challenging weeks we’ve ever had to work through. We’d already been watching developments in Italy and we’re dismayed that the government chose not to make this announcement mandatory, placing a huge moral dilemma in front of all hospitality owners: continue to trade and safe guard jobs; or close the doors to do our part in reducing the spread of the virus amongst staff and members of the public.”
“Our staff rallied amazingly. The commitment shown by everyone to be creative in the face of adversity was inspiring – it’s these people that are such an integral part of everything Cobalt and Ernest are. But anxiety levels were high and we felt the right thing to do was close the doors to normal service and run food and drink sales through one of our little windows! We started plotting and planning a delivery service but the reality of a business in free fall and tremendous uncertainty over job security was placing a huge strain on everyone.”
“The relief when the Chancellor announced the support package for workers was enormous and we were finally able to close things down and protect our staff in the knowledge that their means to live would be secured for the immediate future. Work does go on, negotiating terms with our understanding land lords, issuing furloughed contracts, looking into grant support; but it’s also providing an opportunity to pause and take stock and consider what more we can do when the doors do finally re-open to support each other and cultivate local communities. Which, as we’re all seeing, is all that really counts.”
Silver Bullet Marketing
John Dias, Managing Director, said, “Silver Bullet Marketing remains open for business through this difficult time. We have altered our pattern of working to look after both our colleagues and our clients and continue to provide the professional marketing service we have been supplying since our formation in 1999.”
“In truth, it has been easier for ourselves than many of our clients – the advances in IT technology have meant we were already capable of working from home with some disciplines such as design and digital often carried out remotely. What may be missing is the incredible creativity that spontaneous discussions within such an experienced team provided but we all keep in touch constantly to progress our various campaigns and bounce ideas off each other before implementing them for our valued clients.“
“Our office in Ouseburn is still manned most of the working day at present but queries and questions will be dealt with more quickly if these could come via email whenever possible.”
“We firmly believe that those organisations that can demonstrate not only their resilience and robustness, but also their humanity, throughout this period will be the ones that prosper in the long term. We are here to support our clients through the challenges we will all face in the weeks and months ahead.”
Otterburn Mill
Otterburn Mill, a former textile mill, now sells a range of outdoor and country clothing and has felt the affects of recent government advice. Although Otterburn Mill is temporarily closed, they initially responded by turning the Weavers Cafe into a bakery and greengrocers. Their chefs freshly baked a variety of bread, cakes and scones for customers to take away as well as selling a selection of fruit and vegetables. The response from the local community was overwhelming with people flocking to buy their loafs of bread and rolls and Otterburn Mill is now considering making this a permanent feature of their business when they reopen.
Owner Euan Pringle said, “Obviously, the safety of our staff was the most important consideration as well as following advice from government as strongly as we possibly could to help prevent the spread of the virus. However, we look forward to the moment when we are able to reopen and trade as normal once again. Although this time has been extremely hard for Otterburn Mill, as for many others, it may have revealed a new possible avenue for our business along with the continuation of our outdoor clothing shops and online retail store.”
