Other than offering digital payments or delivery services, what are some of the most innovative strategies you've seen businesses adopt in an attempt to still earn revenue during COVID-19?

Hi Anon,

For many local F&Bs especially, the power of social media played an essential role in ensuring that business sales do not halt completely. On Instagram alone, I’ve seen plenty of local businesses “take flight” because they were actively selling and promoting their products. In my opinion, desserts or sweet treats did especially well from advertising on a platform like Instagram.

I’ve ordered from a local bakery that sells buns and traditional cream cakes that didn’t offer digital modes of payment or delivery services previously but have since adapted in order to keep the business going. The bakery’s Instagram account was also managed by the founder’s daughter. She’ll take the orders while her dad does the baking. Not intentional or exactly the same but hey, talk about doing a father-daughter bonding activity together.

I’ve also ordered dinner from a Korean restaurant where the F&B business is managed by two young female entrepreneurs – a Singaporean and a Korean. They were classmates in a local university who later turned business partners. This time, the Instagram account was managed by the Singaporean while her Korean partner and her oma will be in charge of pushing out the dishes.

Just yesterday, SIA announced that it could potentially be cutting some 2,400 jobs, pilots, ground staff and cabin crew. I couldn’t help but wonder if there are ways a well-established company like SIA could have done better to pivot quicker given the huge amount of resources they have.

Interestingly enough, I was scrolling through my phone this morning as I get my daily dose of news (serious and not so serious ones haha) and learnt that Thai Airways recently transformed the cafeteria of its Bangkok headquarters into an airline-themed restaurant.

Source: The Straits Times

The restaurant is open to the public and is designed to recreate the inflight experience that many of us miss so dearly now. What I like especially is the airline’s attention to detail. The restaurant is offering plane food and has décor that matches the airline’s signature purple, orange and pink plane seats and pillows. If you want to sit at an area to chill, they’ve got you covered with a bean bag seating area.

The plane food is also relatively affordable. According to Simple Flying which covers aviation news, here’s how much some of the food costs at the Thai Airways restaurant.

Penne Pasta Carbonara: $4
Caesar Tuna Salad: $3.15
Pasta Beef Bolognese: $6
Chicken Shawarma: $3
Mixed Seafood Yakisoba: $5.10
Beef Kut Tah with Rice: $5.75
Mango Cheesecake: $3.80

Source: Simple Flying – The Tuna Salad

That’s not all. Diners will be greeted by crew members who are dressed in their full uniforms at the restaurant. After your reservation gets checked by the staff, you are also allowed to keep that “boarding pass” as a souvenir too! Isn’t this cool?! I really like how the Thais are creating an experience here.

Source: BusinessTraveller

I think the best part about transforming the cafeteria into this new concept is that the restaurant could technically still remain as it is even after COVID-19 is over. It wouldn’t be a transformation relevant for only a period of time.