Whether a one-person business or a global enterprise: firms over the world face major challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the German district of Unna as well, many companies are confronted with a new set of problems: What can they do if sales drop, for instance in the event management or hospitality sector? What kind of state support is available and how can they apply for it? How can they adapt their business model to the crisis? Companies now have to observe quarantine regulations and implement social distancing rules, cover their running costs and so on. Fortunately, the business development agency for Unna district (Wirtschaftsförderung Kreis Unna – WFG) quickly adapted its local business service package to pandemic-driven demands.

In March 2020, the WFG immediately set up a crisis hotline to give businesses fast, free and unbureaucratic access to information and useful pointers. On receiving an initial enquiry, the crisis team considers what kind of support the business actually requires. Services range from brief consultancy inputs to workshops and personalised support for change processes.

In workshops tailored to individual company needs, the WFG experts work with the company to develop targeted strategies that enable it to adjust to the new situation. Among other things, this involves digitalization options for over-the-counter retail or digital ordering tools for local restaurants. In other workshops, companies jointly consider how they can establish new business models or adapt existing models to the new circumstances.

A corona how-to guide on the WFG website navigates local businesses through the myriad executive orders and support programmes that have since come into being.

The WFG has adapted its core task of delivering competent and practical business advice to fit the new challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding its portfolio of activities in the process. The pandemic will keep on challenging the local economy in the Unna district, but with the WFG crisis team, companies will have someone they can approach to help navigate them through the crisis.