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It goes without saying that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had huge impact on every aspect of the economy especially on businesses. While some businesses could not just cope but to pack up, millions have been forced to either change the way they operate, or go into a temporary period of ‘hibernation’. COVID-19 has especially hurt small businesses given to the fact that they do not have the required capacity or huge cash reserves that big corporations have to withstand the storm. WHERE To Print however believes that the saying: “When life gives you lemon, make lemonade” is needed at this time to encourage optimism and a positive CAN-DO attitude in the face of adversity or misfortune. That is why WHERE To Print VOX POP Crew went to town and met print business practitioners who shared some of the lessons they have learned so far from the emergence of COVID-19. We believe their responses will provide needed insights on how best to either adapt or change from status quo in order to survive and thrive. Please read excerpt below:
· MR. FESTUS ENEGIDE – NUKREATIONZ PRINTING SOLUTIONS
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Personally, the pandemic has taught me to always prepare for the unknown, and to also have money reserved for eventualities. And as a business practitioner, it has taught us to be proactive and prepare our staff to adjust to the “New Normal”.
· MR. MARK UKOR – WORLDSMARK AND CO.
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This COVID-19 pandemic has made it for people to seek for a way out for survival because you can no longer rely on one particular business – that is, putting all your eggs in one basket which is not a wise thing to do. So, it has taught people and me personally to diversify.
· MR. SAMUEL ONYEKA – ONWARD GRAPHICS
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As printers, when there is no wedding, burial, parties, events generally; what else do you think we are printing? The experience has been something else as you can see for yourself because on a normal day, this place is usually bubbly with a lot of activities, so we are highly being affected. It has taught us to manage well and also learning to save and also to be careful with our resources which includes the materials used for production to avoid unnecessary waste and expenses.
· MR. IFEANYI ISAAC – JICOZ CONCEPT
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This pandemic has taught me personally to be closer to God and He has used this period to show us that He is a supreme God and He controls everything. It has taught me not to so much rely in one business for example our printing business; 80-90% of our jobs are connected to events and as a result, we are mostly affected. So, it has taught me to spread my tentacles into other businesses so that one can survive.
· MR. PHILIP ENE – JY PHILIPS CONCEPT
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This virus has affected us in many ways especially the time limit imposed by the Government to curb the spread of the virus has affected the rate at which customers visit our shops these days. This period has taught me to also learn other business and as a matter of fact, I have started one already in a bid to survive regardless of the pandemic.
· MS. ANNA OMEJE – BEST CARDS
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Business is currently not moving like before, especially in the area of my business which is events and ceremonies. No more gatherings or events going on. So, the rate of customers purchasing goods to make plans of events has drastically reduced to zero. Lockdowns and restrictions should be lifted so that things can come back to normal.
· MR. KOMOLAFE OLADIMEJI – BANCOD LTD
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Personally, it is a bad experience not going to work as usual. Though the print business is in a bad shape, it has worsened during this pandemic. Why? Print businesses survive on activities and when churches, mosques, schools etc are closed down as a result of COVID-19 there won’t be printing activities. However, we thank God for our company – Bancod and our customers. We hope the restrictions and lockdown will be lifted soon so that businesses are back to normal.
· MR. OLUWALOSE MAHMUD – QUICK PRINT
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We do not have much customers coming in to do their print works due to the situation of the country right now and we all know customers are a vital part of any business; so, if you do not have them automatically means your business is heading for a fall. But nevertheless, COVID-19 has increased the level of cleanliness and practice of good safety measures in the workplace, the period has also taught us about the importance of online presence in business.
· MRS. IDOWU LAWAL – NOBLE LITHO PRINT NIGERIA
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To God be the glory, the COVID-19 is really affecting the Printing Industry and all business generally. The rate of printing wedding cards, programmes and others for events has reduced drastically. My prayer is that God should intervene into this virus called COVID-19. It is when business grows that family grows too. We are to open by 10am and close 3pm three times in a week; business does not grow that way. May God save us from this pandemic.
· MR. EMMANUEL OKON – GRACESPRINGS AFRICAN PUBLISHERS
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The virus has really dealt with printing businesses a lot. The closing of schools, events and churches as well as the printing for other businesses for now is in a very bad shape. We expect things to be back to normal soon.
· MR. BADMUS OLARENWAJU – ONILE VENTURE
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This COVID-19 pandemic has killed printing business. Nothing is really working in this country. This pandemic just showed us how terrible the country is; nobody to assist you, the Governments too are not helping; they are not making measures to help businesses during this period unlike other countries abroad. No palliatives provided which has made us turned to beggars calling people to help us feed. It is just so disheartening.
· MS. CHIOMA ANASTESIA – SAMBOAT CONCEPT
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Truly, it has not been easy I must say. The rate at which we receive customers daily has totally dropped due to social distancing caused by this pandemic thereby making it difficult for small businesses like us to survive. But looking at the bright side, I must say that this period has taught me to manage resources properly and also, I am learning new skills with the free time.
· MR. ABIODUN OYEGBEMI – GRACESPRINGS AFRICAN PUBLISHERS
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We have been going through a lot. The situation is getting worse by the day. We just come to work and go back the same without any productivity. It is very bad!
· MR. OMOGBOLAHAN AKINLEYE – HIGH CONCEPT
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Badly because schools and churches are not open thereby affecting printing generally. Businesses are not moving as you can see, and no work. Anybody who has money should not spend anyhow, we should learn to manage ourselves.
· MR. AUSTIN GODWIN – JEB ENTERPRISES
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I’m literally learning every day because things are changing every day; moving fast and being agile are therefore very important. All the best-laid plans could mean nothing tomorrow, so we have to go into each day asking: how can we support our stakeholders today?
· MR. ALADE ABEEB – PRINTING PRESS
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We do not have customers patronizing us anymore because of COVID-19 which has made Government to lockdown schools, churches and events generally. But COVID-19 has taught us that management and savings are very crucial in our day-to-day operations.
· MR. AJIBOLA – AJIB PRINTS
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It has affected our business because most of our customers no longer come in freely at their convenient time due to the inconveniences in the one day on/off guidelines. And as you can see most of our seats are packed in the store due to the social distancing, so we are just getting used to it and also utilizing more of our online presence in relating more and effectively with our customers.
· MR. OYETOLA IDRIS MAYOWA – GENIUS AFRIKA GRAPHICS
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“Do not put all your eggs in a basket” is the perfect formula to adopt during COVID-19. Personally, this is what I learnt from the beginning of COVID-19 outbreak. Despite the fact that I entered this year with high spirit and a lot of enthusiasm towards investment on printing (long-run machines to be precise). Instead, I do not have any choice than to think of short-run machines which can be operated at a corner of my office (laughs) at low cost and low energy consumption features. We cannot dodge from the fact that the whole world got shut down; no business activities or vital transaction for months which is very difficult for any investor to tie down resources unnecessary because when the storm will be over, is unknown to everyone; but I hope soon.
· MRS. OLADOKUN – NENO INTERNATIONAL SERVICES
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Well this pandemic has really affected print business in a lot of ways of which one of the ways is reduced or no patronage at all due to the fact that there is no social gathering; schools are closed, events canceled and so on. Another one is the rise in prices of materials due to the increase in exchange rate. Personally, COVID-19 has taught me to be more social media compliant i.e. doing your business through the social media platform since I cannot move around as I use to before now. COVID-19 has also taught me to always calm down in any situation knowing that God have got my back always and above all; to always appreciate God for the breath I breathe.
· MR. OBA THANKGOD – PIONEER PRINT
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Personally COVID-19 is a paradigm shift to each and every individual with open mind and to take advantages of it. On wealth: I have learned to never depend on only one source of income, never to work hard but work smart, always invest because a day/month/year will come where investment will only be your source of income; never keep your money at the bank for nothing, let your money make more money for you, and always accept changes because is the only thing that is constant in life. On health, I have also learned never to look down on anybody in life, because things change in a blink of an eye; make a cordial relationship with your neighbours, a day will surely come where you will need their aids. Help others when you are blessed with little you have; you can never truly be happy until you give someone a reason to laugh.
· MR. SANNI MARIAM – MAS CREATION
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The pandemic has taught me to always prepare for the worst ahead; to be diligent in what I am doing and to Plan ahead and save even when I do not need to.
· MR. KUNLE BANJO – GREENFIELD PRINT
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The COVID-19 pandemic has opened my eyes to so many things I have never really thought of like the popular quote of ‘saving for the rainy day’ that I have not really adhered to until this unexpected pandemic that has befallen us today. Before, I have always believed that as long as I am in business, nothing can go wrong not knowing a time will come where the Government itself will ask us not to come out, not to talk of going for our businesses. I have learnt it in a bitter way that no matter how much you make or earn or how much you would like to solve basic problems and be comfortable, always have something saved up somewhere and be disciplined about it; not running to it everytime we have menial needs and if possible, get it fixed. This will go a long way to help in times like this.
· MR. HAKEEM OLUSANYA – MAYOR PRINTS
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Everywhere is just dull; the pandemic keeps frustrating our business daily. We sit here daily doing nothing and we have to feed ourselves and our family. God will see us through.
· MR. DANIEL SHEDDRACK – SHEDDA BUSINESS HUB
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It has taught me to keep social distance for safety and the emergence of the pandemic has reduced patronage from clients due to increase in price of most consumables.
· MS. ADEJOKE OLUWABUKOLA – MOVA GRAPHICS & PRINT TECH LIMITED
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As a print business practitioner, the emergence of COVID-19 taught me not to rely on one business because there are so many breakdowns in printing business at large. It has really affected us badly.
· MR. TAIWO HASSAN – OLLYPRINTS
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In business, it is totally not the way it used to be; everything seems upside down to every entrepreneur. It has affected all parts of our lives; we keep wasting transport fares daily without any form of job from clients. This pandemic has really thought us how to spend wisely and manage resources.
· MR. ADEWALE OLUSHOLA VICTOR – SHOVIC PRODUCTION
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