The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has had a crippling effect on the global economy. This is clearly uncharted territory. As millions around the globe do their best to minimize their exposure to the virus, business owners and managers face an uncertain and stressful future.

Faced with faltering demand, anxious employees, health safety risks and a lack of clarity regarding what the future holds, what can small and medium-sized business owners do to prepare for a global economic slowdown? Here are 8 steps to consider to help your company navigate these uncertain times.

1. Develop Financial Scenarios

Create best, worst and most likely financial scenarios for your company. Consider these questions:

• How much do you estimate revenue will change over the short and long run?

• Which costs are variable vs. fixed?

• How long will it take for you to run out of cash and inventory?

• Is there extra cushion to draw from on your line of credit?

Projecting financial statements for the next few months may require some guesswork, but the exercise may uncover areas that require immediate attention. For example, you may find an opportunity to reduce your costs by canceling, say, a subscription or downgrading a service.

2. Scrutinize Your Cost Structure

It's important to dedicate additional time to combing through every line item of your financial statements for costs to remove. As a general rule of thumb, if an expense doesn't directly contribute to generating revenue, consider removing it. Also look for ways to lower your costs. For example, if you've not switched insurance companies recently, now may be the time to seek an alternative, lower-cost provider.

3. Reach Out to Lenders, Landlords and Creditors

As the effects of the economic slowdown take hold, many business owners worry that they'll default on a loan, face an eviction or be sued for unpaid debts. The federal government and many individual states have already taken steps to stop evictions. How far such government remedies extend and for how long remain unknown.

If your business is unable to make a payment on a loan, mortgage or unsecured debt, be proactive and reach out to share your situation. You may find those you owe money to are receptive to amending the terms of your arrangement in these challenging times.

4. Reconnect with Key Customers

Reach out to major customers and learn of the challenges they face. This provides an opportunity to engender long-term customer loyalty and goodwill. Depending on your company's financial health, you may be able to offer support, including providing discounts on future orders or extending payment terms.

These conversations also will provide information to improve the accuracy of your financial projections. And you'll open the line of communication in case circumstances deteriorate further.

5. Communicate Regularly with Employees

It's human nature to struggle with uncertainty. Make communicating with employees a priority — even if you have no news to share.

Employees need to know you understand their concerns. They must also believe you have their best interests at heart. If you anticipate laying off staff or cutting their hours and know of companies in a hiring mode, share that information with employees. When normal operations resume, former employees may return if they remember your willingness to help them in times of crisis.

6. Revisit Your Staffing Model

Ideally, small businesses would like to keep valued employees on the payroll as long as possible. But, for some businesses, now might be the time to engage contractors instead of full-time employees. By doing so, you'll potentially lower your costs and increase your staffing model's flexibility. 

7. Consider Bartering

Instead of exchanging cash with supply chain partners, be open to bartering goods and services with other businesses. Bartering allows you to conserve cash. Plus, connecting with other businesses may help uncover additional tools and techniques to help your company weather the economic fallout from the COVID-19 outbreak. (Be aware that bartering does have tax implications, however.)

8. Monitor Government Responses

Federal and state governments are working on various financial relief measures to help businesses during these trying times. In addition to following local and national news, reach out to your tax, human resources and legal advisors to let them know you're interested in gaining access to government aid when it becomes available. Also sign up for email communications from federal agencies, including the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the IRS, to make sure you learn of the programs as soon as they're available.

We're All in this Together

Now's the time to confront the reality of COVID-19 head on. That requires a collaborative effort with your customers, suppliers, employees, creditors and professional advisors. By working together to fortify your defenses, you'll be in a better position to protect your business and ensure its survival during these unprecedented times.