6 minute read
Do Process and Unified Standards
Unified Standards THE LEVEE STUDIOS TAKES ON THE CHALLENGE
Some of the most creative people in town can be found at The Levee Studios, a full-service marketing agency located in downtown Albany. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, forcing business shutdowns all over the country, The Levee Studios owners Blake Cook and Tracy Goode brainstormed ways that they could help their own community recover. The answer was Do Process, a training platform developed by The Levee a couple of years ago to help the work force optimize performance by using videobased training.
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“When we were gearing up to help businesses affected by the pandemic, we realized that this platform could be utilized for COVID-19 training,” said Goode. “Not only would this create a safer work environment for employees, but it would also create a safer environment for customers. Knowing that a business had completed standardized training on safety protocol and reopening guidelines would lead to a more comfortable and confident feeling in their customers and help get our economy jump started.”
The Levee partnered with the City of Albany, Dougherty County, and the Albany Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) to provide COVID-19 safety certification training for local restaurants and similar food service businesses. The program is being offered free to local eating establishments. By mid-July, almost 400 Albany-based restaurant employees had completed the training. As Albany came together to get businesses back to work, others around the state began to take notice. In July, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce announced that they had joined The Levee Studios to launch Unified Standards, a certified work force training program specifically designed for return-to-work procedures with COVID-19. The program, in both English and Spanish, is designed to work within the state’s requirements for 17 business sectors, as mandated by the governor’s office, and to create basic online training for safe return-to-work operations.
Named for its purpose, Unified Standards brings all essential requirements together in one easyto-download app. It is built on the latest virtual training technologies and delivers a dashboard of video programs, testing documents, recommended best practices and detailed strategies to help businesses expedite their reopening and spur economic recovery.
“As the largest business organization in Georgia, we are focused on economic recovery, talent and upskilling, and overall resiliency in every market,” said Georgia Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark.
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“We appreciate the leadership of Governor Kemp’s office to lead with detailed reopening guidelines and look forward to helping businesses instill consumer confidence and reopen with success,” said Cook. “Working within these guidelines and parameters, we want to validate each one of our programs to ensure full compliance and effective training.”
Since rolling out Unified Standards for their home state, Cook and Goode see even more opportunities to take The Levee Studio’s training platforms to the rest of the country.
“Our vision is to take this to all of the states across the U.S.,” said Goode. “We have had conversations and requests from many other states that have contacted us. It is truly our hope and desire to continue to serve those people as we can and bring those Unified Standards to them. Obviously, each state is going to handle its COVID-19 response a little differently, and that’s the beauty of our platform and the way it’s presented. We can take their standards and tailor them to their specific needs.”
Cook points out that are other possible adaptations of the basic training platforms. “In addition to the current “get back to work” guidelines, we are starting to work on launching K-12 education “getting back to school” guidelines. As local school guidelines are developed, we’ll be able to produce those videos across the state. I think that’s very important in these times where teachers are trying to get back safely, and parents are trying to get their kids back to school safely. This process can also apply to higher education and election polls. As most people know, we have a pretty big election coming up in November, and we want to make sure that poll workers are able to get back safely to do that job and do it in a safe environment.”
No matter how far-reaching The Levee Studios' training programs become, they say that The Levee Studios will continue its role offering a full array of marketing services. Cook and Goode also are quick to acknowledge that the success of their growing video-based training platforms started right here in Albany and Dougherty County.
“We started in Dougherty County with the intent to see our community get back to work safely,” said Cook. “We were able to spread that message from right here, following our initial partnership with Dougherty County, the City of Albany and the CVB. We are proud to be a part of the Albany business community.”
The Levee Studios and the Georgia Chamber have launched the online Unified Standards program. Members of the Georgia Chamber, the Albany Area Chamber and other local chambers will receive a 30% cost reduction. Interested businesses can visit www.gachamber.com/ covid19 or www.unifiedstandards.com for details and to get more information on how to download and begin the certification process.
THE LEVEE STUDIOS LEVERAGES THEIR SUCCESS IN VIDEO PRODUCTION TO PROVIDE CRUCIAL CONTENT TO THE UNIFIED STANDARDS PLATFORM.
COVID-19
��� ,.,... -�� � �___, �, � · · �bbJ� __,. ��� , lll The times are uncertain; the Albany Area Chamber's commitment to its member businesses and to community is not. We are working for you and advocating for you during this most difficult and fluid time, and are committed to providing
Shopping locally has a powerful impact on our small businesses, the leadership, you've unity, come stability and to expect. voice community pride, stability, and our economy. PROTECT YOUR WORK FORCE
This time of uncertainty is difficult for all, including small businesses and • • Assess teleworking; implement as needed Limit large group activities & gatherings organizations who are impacted • Follow CDC-recommended social distancing immediately and significantly by • Sanitize "high-touch" surfaces regularly changes in foot traffic to their sites, • Sick worker? Stays home. utilization of their good or services, • Provide hand soap & encourage regular usage; and fluctuations in consumer confidence. avoid touching eyes, nose, mouth
There are many ways to continue • Encourage other good health habits supporting the small businesses that • Handle food safely are the backbone of our community, including these: • Utilize delivery services ENSURE BUSINESS CONTINUITY • Order takeout; use drive-throughs • Make & implement business continuity plan • Purchase gift cards for later use, or gifts • Communicate regularly with work force • Post-schedule services • Be prepared to change business practices • Shop local online if needed to maintain critical operations • Utilize apps for shopping, services • Keep subscriptions, memberships • Buy now, pickup later • • Identify alternative suppliers Prioritize customers • Follow us on social media as we give • Consider digital meetings, e-commerce information on our members with the • Temporarily suspend some operations if needed hashtag #SmallBizBigHearts • Update customers on site sanitation, health practices, changes to business-as-usual
�YAREA CHAMBER of COMMERCE 16 JULY | AUGUST 2020
Follow CDC at cdc.gov. Follow Chamber at albanyga.com & on Facebook.
