The pandemic disrupted everything surrounding our work. Businesses were forced to go remote overnight. And to the surprise of many, productivity didn’t suffer. We also learned that we don’t always have to have face-to-face meetings when Zoom or Microsoft Teams are available. We realized some people are more productive when they aren’t forced to work a nine to five schedule.
Now that vaccines are readily available, we keep hearing that a return to normal is possible. But what does normal really mean? We’ve become accustomed to getting up and going into the other room to turn on our computer to start working. We don’t miss the traffic jams and time wasted commuting. We’ve seen people relocate from expensive urban areas to smaller, less expensive areas of the country. These employees have given up their tiny apartments for more living space and outdoor amenities. All for the same price.
So, if you’re a business owner what does all of this mean to you? Many business leaders believe that the pandemic was a once-in-a-lifetime event and they’re ready for things to go back to the way they were. That isn’t realistic thinking. It’s time to embrace the change and think of the advantages afforded to you as a business owner.
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Office needs
This is a time when we can re-evaluate how much office space we really need. Consider a hybrid working environment. Maybe some employees work remotely all the time while others are in the office all or part of the time. You will be able to downsize your office space. Employees that only work in the office part of the time can share space. Put in place strong office hoteling practices so employees in the office part-time know where to go and when the space is available to them.
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Hiring new employees
Remote workers don’t have to be in the same city as your business headquarters. They don’t even need to be in the same country. As long as they can do their work from any location, you can hire anyone in the world to fill your open positions. And that means you’ll be able to hire the best person for the job. You won’t have to worry if they want to relocate to your city or pay for their relocation costs. There are many best practices available to hiring remote workers.
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Happier employees, including your managers
It’s time to embrace flexibility. Employees know how to get their work done if they value their job. They also like their newfound flexibility to go to the grocery store when few people are there or finding reliable childcare. We don’t have to be wed to the nine to five workday. Give your employees the work/life balance they desire. You are giving your employees control over their schedule. Set expectations and let them thrive. Managers will also appreciate this change. They can actually spend more time managing the work and process and less time making sure people are at their desk when they’re supposed to be. This focus on mental well-being will improve morale and productivity.
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Accelerated technology
Technology has always moved fast, but the pandemic helped us realize all the things possible because of technology. How many of us had heard about Zoom before the pandemic? If nothing else, the pandemic has taught us to embrace technology. Businesses had to solve problems quickly when the pandemic hit. It helped us break down barriers and make faster, better decisions with the help of data. It has helped industries find new ways of connecting with our customers or clients. How many of us had a telemedicine appointment before the pandemic? The pandemic helped us realize how much technology helps us connect, save time and save money.
These are a few of the ways the pandemic has changed the way we do business. If you’d like help determining the best business practices for your business, we’re here to help. Outlook Business Solutions is a marketing agency that provides marketing, strategy and accessibility testing services to businesses. Our mission is to create an inclusive and integrated environment populated with talented professionals with consideration and accommodations for those who are blind or low vision. Our professionals can help develop goals, strategies and content for your marketing needs. Contact us to learn more about our marketing services.