Corporates are switching to new business models to minimise revenue losses and overcome the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic that has disrupted the old order. FILE PHOTO | NMG Corporates are switching to new business models to minimise revenue losses and overcome the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic that has disrupted the old order.
Banks, telcos, brewers, supermarkets, insurers, IT firms and taxi-hailing companies have announced changes in their businesses amid fears that the virus could spread further, leading to suppressed economic activities over a prolonged period.
Many firms such as Tuskys, Naivas, Jubilee Insurance, Kenya Power and Safaricom have strengthened their digital solutions to minimise physical contact between their staff and customers while others have struck new partnerships to reduce disruptions.
This has also been complemented by direct donations by businesses to the State so as to minimise the effects of the virus.
East African Breweries Limited #ticker:EABL (EABL) has supplied 100,000 litres of ethanol to local sanitiser manufacturers as its contribution to reduce the risk of new Covid-19 infections.
The brewer’s non-profit arm, EABL Foundation, has committed Sh50 million to fund the production of 135,000 litres of sanitisers by two Nairobi-based industries.
Eric Kiniti, the foundation’s trustee, said the brewer will work with other partners to distribute the sanitisers to needy parts of the country, especially slums and water-stressed regions.
The move comes at a time when the State has ordered the closure of bars, making it rethink its distribution models. The brewer will now put more focus on supplying to establishments like supermarkets, whose own business model has been disrupted by recent State directives on reducing large gatherings and maintaining social distance.
Supermarkets have been ordered to ensure social distancing in their premises and if possible, operate on 24-hour basis to allow customers to shop.
The move has seen supermarkets like Tuskys and Naivas deepen their links with logistics firms. Tuskys has partnered with Sendy while Tuskys has joined hands with Glovo to enhance home deliveries. The deal allows customers to order goods via WhatsApp and have the shopping delivered at their doorsteps by the two firms.
Banks and insurers have also adopted new measures to stay in touch with their customers and ease the way they do business.Jubilee Insurance, which has been relying on biometrics to stem fraud in medical claims, has dropped this method in favour of one time PIN that will be set up via mobile phone. The insurer has further […]