The onset of swine flu has shrunk the global landscape at a frightening pace. Yet stepping out of the health scare shadow entrepreneurs have a chance to learn from this experience.

Here are two business 101’s:

1) Communication is central. According to the World Health Organization, “Epidemics and pandemics can place sudden and intense demands on health systems. They expose existing weaknesses in these systems …” Just go to the WHO website to understand their communication strategy as one way of buttressing weak health systems. Their Media Centre is filled with daily briefings, white papers, podcasts, press releases and relevant content.

LESSON: Use all types of communication techniques with your customers that feature relevant content. Regularly update your website and blog that will create a revolving door for your customer’s return. Issue timely press releases and by all means pick up that phone for real-time conversations.

2) Strategy still reigns. WHO has joined forces with local governments, the CDC and public health agencies worldwide to create an active network of response and information exchange.

LESSON: Business strategies bear fruit when they are actually used instead of sitting on a shelf. Dust off those business plans and hone in on your services.

What lessons have you taken away from the Swine Flu epidemic? How are you going to put them into action?