Keith is driven to help learners through Covid-19
THE CORONAVIRUS pandemic may have stolen six months of work from this business owner, he’s not backing down.
In normal times, owner of Wokingham Driving School Keith Gambles is busy running face-to-face practical lessons and offering online helpwith driving theory.
But he says the virus has taken time and money away from his business over the last year.
According to Mr Gambles, in 2020 Wokingham Driving School lost approximately 26weeks ofworkwhen the coronavirus hit UK shores.
“From a turnover point of view, that’s equal to about £38,000 lost,” he explained.
And he says the pandemic has had a massive impact on his ability to organiseweek byweek.
“I might say to somebody ‘I’ll see you nextweek’, and then suddenly we’re in lockdown andwho knows when they’ll get their next lesson,” Mr Gambles explained.
“I try and keep in touchwith my pupils to keep them motivated and informed, but it’s all been quite hard.”
Despite the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Mr Gambles saysWokingham Driving School has been finding new ways towork throughout the crisis to keep business boomingwhile staying safe at the same time.
From maintaining regular contact with students online to introducing his own Covid-19 practices, the business owner has innovated.
While practical lessons are paused, when he is able to go out andwork he
has introduced a number of covid-safe measures to keep students safe.
This includes making masks mandatory, wiping down all surfaces before, after and during lessons, and keeping the vehicle ventilated by having thewindows open.
“It doesn’t take that long to introduce these changes once you get into a routine,” he said.
“It just becomes part of the process.” Butwith the majority ofWokingham Driving School’swork on hold until coronavirus restrictions are lifted, Mr Gambles says he is finding it hard to staymotivated.
“When lockdown first kicked in,
I was pretty distraught,” he explained.
“I was quite motivated towork on marketing, mywebsite, and other aspects of my business but as time goes on, it’s hard to find the energy.”
He says he’s finding the third lockdown especially difficult given there is no end in sight, but says the key is keeping a routine.
“I email my students about twice aweekwith updates from the government and updates from myself onwhat’s happening,” he explained.
“And I keep myself busy, but it can be hardwatching the bank account go downwhen bills are still coming in.”
One of the manyways Mr Gambles has kept himself busy is by being there to support his students, many ofwhom are frustrated because their driving tests keep being moved.
“I think communicationwith customers, whatever business you are in, is important,” he said. “We should keep in touchwith them rather than switching off.
“You’ve got to be a shoulder to cry on, someone for them to talk towhen they don’t knowwhat to do.”
All in all, the business owner says that 2020 has been a massive learning curve forWokingham Driving School.
“At the beginning, I thought maybewewere going to get a couple ofweeks on holiday and then go back,” Mr Gambles said.
“I didn’t anticipate the first lockdown lasting for three or fourmonths in one go.”
And he says if he could give one bit of advice to business owners out there, it would be towake up every day and treat it like business is booming, regardless ofwhether coronavirus restrictions allowyou towork or not.
“Get up in the morning, do some work, orientate your staff,” he said.
“Whether you’re marketing, fixing yourwebsite or keeping in touchwith customers – keep yourself busy. It’s far better than sitting around the house for twoweeks, watching theworld go by.
“And just remind yourself thatwhile you may not be making as much money at the moment, you’re investing in the future.”