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How are you dealing with Coronavirus?

Companies are already reporting a downturn in business, although most seem optimistic that the market will make a swift recovery.
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March 16, 2020

COVID-19, or Coronavirus, is gripping the country and the Leasing Broker industry is not immune.

Companies are already reporting a downturn in business, although most seem optimistic that the market will make a swift recovery.

Keith Hawes, Director at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts reported that proposals were down circa 35% at the weekend but would need to do the poll at the end of the week to more accurately determine numbers and impacts.
He added: “We have a potential plan to enable home working with our digital phone provider using soft phone capability if it came to that.
“Other than that it’s business as usual as far as we are concerned – we are keen not to over react and spread panic.
“We are taking everything seriously and ensuring that staff safety is paramount ie communicating need to wash hands, providing hand sanitiser etc we also believe that the economic consequences of this could have more sever impacts so need to carry on responsibly.
“Fortunately being an on-line business outside contact is zero.”
Sue King at Carlease said her company has a high number of repeat customers who are ready to change their vehicles so for them, it is business as normal.
She added: “New inquiries have been down this month but we are doing enough business to keep everyone occupied. All staff are currently in work in the office and we are encouraging them to follow the NHS precautions with extra supplies of hand wash and sanitisers for reducing risk
“There is a risk assessment plan in place should we have to move to home working with our IT company supporting us with secure laptops accessible to the server and phone calls redirected.

 

“We are hoping that this does not happen but if it does, directors will stay on premises in the office to oversee day to day operations and keep the business operating.”

Will Turnbull at Vehicle Lease Management said he already works from home. “Nothing will really change on that front. I do expect things to go quiet over the next few weeks/months as the nation will probably go into lockdown within the next few days if things continue as they are.”

Further information on Covid-19 is available from the NHS

 

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Chris Wright

Chris Wright

Chris Wright has been covering the automotive industry nationally and internationally for 30 years. Following spells with consumer titles he became News Editor of Automotive Management (AM), Editor of Automotive International, International Editor for Detroit-based Automotive News, and Editor of Dealer Update. He has also co-authored several FT Management Reports and contributes regularly to Justauto.com

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