As the world continues to stagger toward a shaky post-pandemic future, companies are staring at a New Normal that is redefining the way they did business.
From transformed workplaces to contactless transactions, business owners operating in the pandemic are adapting themselves to several changes to survive and thrive in the new landscape.
The new norm facing businesses is unlikely to fade post the pandemic. Some of these trends are set to define the future of businesses. Here we take a look at some such trends:
1. Rise in online sales
Online businesses were popular even before the pandemic. But the need for minimal person-to-person contact has pushed customers to use online businesses more intensively during the pandemic.
Many businesses operating in the pandemic are experiencing reduced in-store visits from customers. They are moving their business online to encourage more customer visits and sales. With almost all products being available from the comfort of their homes, customers would want to stay away from direct store visits to avoid crowds, save time, and experience increased convenience. Businesses can expect this trend to stay even after COVID-19.
2. Digital transactions
More and more businesses are turning to digital transactions to minimize cash exchange and maintain social distancing. Preference for credit cards and digital payment methods instead of cash is fast increasing, and it is here to stay.
3. Demand for improved workplace sanitation
The standards of workplace hygiene have gone up. Businesses operating in the pandemic have the responsibility and pressure to ensure a completely sanitized workplace. While all businesses face the sanitization challenge, the pressure is severe for sectors such as travel and hospitality.
A cleaner and more hygienic workplace is always desirable. The trend will continue as it gives businesses the potential to attract more clients and deliver a safer workplace for employees.
4. Increase in work from home opportunity
The efficiency of working from home has perhaps been a revelation for many businesses during the pandemic. Many businesses are witnessing their teams collaborating virtually and delivering desired performance without working in a physical office.
Considering that many businesses are increasingly investing in catering to their work-from-home employees, this is one trend that will witness a long future.
5. Rise in communication via video conferencing
Video conferencing tools have become indispensable for communication among teams given that most employees are working from home. Businesses are witnessing huge benefits of video conferencing including a significant reduction in travel costs. Small businesses are increasingly using video conferencing to connect with and retain customers during the pandemic.
With video conferencing becoming integral to the day-to-day operations of businesses, one can expect this trend to continue even after the pandemic.
6. Contact-free commerce
Another consequence of the pandemic, businesses are now making commerce contactless to ensure social distancing. More and more businesses are encouraging customers to download their app for placing orders.
This trend is increasingly being seen in restaurants and supermarkets. Apps are making operations for such businesses convenient post-COVID-19. Customers can now download an app, place an order, and have their orders delivered, all without any contact! Even businesses that have traditionally depended on face-to-face interactions for commerce are moving to the digital way of commerce.
For example, some fashion businesses are now using video shopping to enable customers to browse through their latest collections. The safety and convenience inherent to such contactless operation have made this commerce already popular among consumers. It will most likely continue to be so.
7. Use of robots
Robots were waiting to become a fact of life even before the pandemic following the penetration of automation into every industry. The arrival of the pandemic has only accelerated the penetration of robotics.
Robots are proving invaluable in the fight against COVID-19. The use of robots during the pandemic reduces the risk of person-to-person contact. Using them for deliveries prevents the risk of virus spread. Businesses are employing robots for delivering pandemic care. For example, robots are being used to carry out pandemic precautions such as disinfecting and sanitizing public places. Drones are another example of robotics in action – they are being employed to make urgent and lightweight deliveries such as prescription medicines.
The use of robots during the pandemic is unfolding new opportunities for businesses. The traditional way of using robots has been as a replacement for recurring manual processes. Businesses are now exploring robots’ potential in highly complex production operations where they can be employed in association with humans
8. Rise of business events in the virtual space
The pandemic has put a stop to business events taking place at a physical location with a large gathering. However, this has not stopped businesses from hosting events for marketing and customer outreach purposes during the pandemic.
Virtual events are on a rise and are likely to stay, given their potential to bring businesses closer to a wider audience.
Looking for protective equipment for the New Normal? Check out our catalog!
9. Increase in technology investments
The pandemic situation has pushed businesses to integrate, rather than merely receive support from different technologies including cloud and cybersecurity. Businesses are no more hesitant to invest in technologies that enable them to function with more and more remote teams seamlessly.
This development is set to expand the limits of working and transform the very way that businesses operate, according to experts.
Many businesses operating in pandemic have been forced to shed their comfort zone. They are adapting to new trends, technologies, and work methods. By doing so, these businesses have increased their resilience and increased their chances of success in a post-COVID world.
