I think it’s going to be a long time before we get back to any kind of normal so we must adapt to enable us to continue but in a way that’s safe for us and our clients. So far our videos have had over 40,000 views and our Facebook page is now being followed by a lot more people than it was before!

Rob

Director, RBPM Solutions

Sussex based business ‘RBPM Solutions’ have gained fantastic publicity after taking their expertise online to beat the Covid-19 crisis. They have been overwhelmed with over 40k views of some of their video tutorials for those stuck on DIY jobs during lockdown, making them an online hit.

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Do you run a business or provide a service that has been affected by the lockdown? Don’t let your skills go to waste by finding ways you can support and engage with your community at this time. 

 We spoke to RBPM Maintenance Solutions to find out how they are successfully weathering the crisis and what tips they have for other businesses to do the same. 

RBPM realised early on that during lockdown people would take on smaller maintenance jobs and keep themselves occupied with DIY projects. They also knew that there would be many people who wouldn’t have a clue where to start! So they started offering free advice on their Facebook page and posting video demonstrations. It started with a genuine desire to help, as well as keep their business in touch with all those customers they couldn’t physically reach. With well over 40k views of some of their videos, RBPM could not have anticipated how much of a hit their initiative would be…

We asked RBPM solutions how they’ve adapted their business during this time…

Friday-Ad – How have you coped during the coronavirus? And how have you had to adapt?

 

RBPM – As soon as the lockdown was put in place we followed the government guidelines. We all need to take responsibility for this and as hard as it is we must follow what we’re being told. All of my guys have been placed on furlough and we will start bringing them back when we can and when our clients are happy for us to return. I have already written and implemented a new working policy for this current climate that all our clients will receive stating how we will work and expect our clients to be during our working day. I think it’s going to be a long time before we get back to any kind of normal so we must adapt to enable us to continue but in a way that’s safe for us and our clients.

Many of our suppliers are offering a ‘click and collect’ service so we can no longer ‘pop down’ to pick something up. 

Ben from RBPM  giving a lesson on “How to bleed your radiator’

This puts a bit more pressure on us to be better prepared but I don’t see that as a bad thing at all. When lockdown happened, there was a lot of talk in the press about how everyone will use the time to carry out work on their homes. For most this will probably be fine, but I know there are lots of people out there who wouldn’t have a clue where to start. I had the idea to post on our Facebook page a video saying we are here to offer help and free advice if people get stuck. It was meant as a bit of a marketing tool but also if people are genuinely stuck we want to make sure they’re doing things right and safely. Since I posted the original video it has gone crazy!! We have helped so many people from what wall fixings to use for coat hooks, sanding oak worktops, to removing water hammer from a hot water system!!! We have answered most questions via text/email but we have posted further videos for the questions we get asked a few times. So far our videos have had over 40,000 views and our Facebook page is now being followed by a lot more people than it was before. I certainly was not expecting this, it’s been brilliant.

 

 Rob from RBPM giving a tutorial on dealing with cutting when painting

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Could you adapt your business too like RBPM has done? Check out our tips on business survival at this time.