By Tricia Olufemi-Olumide
As COVID-19 becomes endemic in much of the world, we slowly but surely turn our focus to sustainable and inclusive growth. Most industries and businesses have been disrupted by the pandemic with severe financial and otherwise impact on businesses and the global economy at large. In my opinion there are several paths to returning to business, however the path to pursue must guarantee the safety of the people – Employees and customers alike.
These 5 thoughts will help businesses presently planning their return to work
Consider a shift to remote work
Remote work became prevalent during Covid-19 as people worked from home and leveraged heavily on tools like Zoom, Skype in accordance with social distancing rules while still getting their jobs done.
Post pandemic, it has now enabled businesses to tap into a wider talent pool drawing on skilled workers regardless of geographical location.
This flexibility has allowed companies to build more diverse and capable teams.
As the world continues to adapt to a post-COVID landscape, the companies that have successfully embraced remote work are well-positioned to thrive by leveraging this increased access to talent.
Enhancing Workforce capability
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed roles, dynamics of teams and what roles apply to businesses. Adapting employees’ skills and roles to the post-pandemic ways of working will be crucial to building operational resilience.
This means more than just remote working and the benefits that could be brought by adopting business productivity tools, automation and fast rising AI.
It is about how companies can best reskill and upskill their workforce to enable new operating and business models in the post pandemic era.
Companies must recognize the need for a more adaptable, future-ready pool of talent to navigate the evolving challenges ahead.
One key strategy is investing in continuous learning and upskilling programs. This concerted effort to develop new skills and expertise helps ensure the workforce can evolve alongside changing business demands.
Furthermore, organisations can restructure their teams to be more cross-functional and agile. By bringing together employees with complementary skill sets, they can quickly assemble high forming teams tailored to specific projects and challenges.
Set a Realistic Timescale for Recovery
The goal for most business owners is to get their business running at full capacity once lockdown is fully lifted, while this is a great ambition however, full economic recovery will take a while and businesses need to live with this reality. It is best to start small and plan for long-term recovery.
While some sectors may bounce back quickly, others face a longer road to pre-pandemic levels of performance.
Financial recovery might take precedence so focus on stabilizing cash flow and rebuilding revenue streams. Operational recovery could involve adapting to new safety protocols or restructuring supply chains, potentially spanning several quarters or even years.
Capitalize on Digital Marketing to Reach More People
The Covid-19 pandemic has drastically accelerated the shift towards digital consumer behaviour making effective digital marketing strategies more crucial than ever for businesses.
Many, many more people are online now than ever before so in the post-pandemic landscape, companies must capitalize on this digital transformation to reach and engage their target audiences more effectively.
Social media marketing has emerged as a powerhouse, with businesses leveraging platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn to build brand awareness and foster customer relationships. The ability to create targeted, data-driven campaigns allows for more personalized customer experiences, driving higher engagement and conversion rates.
Since consumers increasingly rely on online sources, investing in quality content and optimizing for search engines will help businesses improve their visibility in the post-pandemic digital marketplace.
Consider A Pivot to the New Economy
Should consumer behavior remain heavily guarded due to COVID 19, we could be facing the most radical economic shift in the history of the world.
In the blink of an eye, we’ve seen unprecedented damage to the airline industry, hotels, food service, oil-and-gas production, retail shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and the companies that supply products and services to these industries.
Your existing business plan will require a series of changes to accommodate the broad shift in consumer behavior. Consider online mentoring to small businesses at a company like Score.
Final Thoughts
As businesses navigate the uncharted waters of a post-pandemic world, success will hinge on their ability to adapt, innovate, and embrace change.
The challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic have undoubtedly reshaped the business landscape forever but they have also unlocked a new potential for growth and transformation.
Those who can harness these lessons and opportunities will not only recover, they will thrive in the new normal.
As we move forward, it’s clear that the most successful organizations will be those that view the post-pandemic era not as a return to the old ways (those are gone forever), but as a launch pad for a bold new future.
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