With the world in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic for more than a year now, many businesses have had to find ways to adapt to the challenges provides current state of the world. While some have been swallowed by a global economic crash, others have found ways to adjust operations and continue to operate. Others still have managed to thrive in this unique state of the world by taking advantage of online services that make it easier to reach the consumer.
Making services available digitally
Healthcare providers, religious services, and schools have all found ways to continue providing services via video conferences with services like Zoom and Google Hangouts. Providers who might have previously avoided the online space, have had to find new and creative ways to operate by not allowing patients, parishioners, and students into their normal spaces.
Many of these spaces have been successful because of the ease of accessibility of digital service providers. From choosing an effective website name with the help of a domain broker service to building out their website with a digital marketing agency, it seems as though it’s never been easier to make your way into the digital world.
Delivery
Prior to the pandemic, not every restaurant offered delivery and not every store offered curb side pickup. However, since social distancing has become the new normal, it’s been recommended that we make as little contact with one another as possible. This has led to a decrease in the number of people shopping in stores as well as waiting to pick up food.
“Contactless delivery” has become the new buzzword. Businesses use it to give customers and employees peace of mind that they’re not going to be coming in contact with someone who could be infected with COVID-19. Food delivery services like DoorDash have boomed with the increase in food delivery since many restaurants were forced to limit seating capacity or close their doors. DoorDash in particular reported a 267 percent revenue increase in Q3 of 2020.
With the inclusion of DoorDash and others like it, restaurants have had to adjust operations. Although, many have managed to keep their doors open to customers and maintain business hours for employees.
Contactless services
Aside from delivery, many businesses have created ways to provide their services without coming in contact with customers. It’s become common for tradesmen like plumbers and electricians are now provide information to customers via emails, text messages, or even video calls. After services have been administered, most companies will offer contactless payment via a credit card on a tablet or payment on a digital invoice.
Tradesmen aren’t the only ones who have had to pivot to contactless services. Others have found more creative ways yet to deliver services without the traditional level of contact that we’re used to. Real estate agents are giving tours, yogis are teaching classes, musicians are giving concerts, and many others are providing services via video chats and live streaming.
Working from home
While there are many who have been able to continue at their jobs with adaptation, much of the workforce was sent home to work remotely. Companies that don’t have the office space to provide a safe distance between work stations have chosen the option to have employees work remotely. According to a survey done by Buffer, nearly 98 percent of people surveyed would like to continue to have the option to work from home for the rest of their careers. The ability to work a flexible schedule from anywhere, not commute, and have more time with their families is enticing.
Conversely, many employers are not keen on the idea of permanently remote work. Managers have cited concerns with reduced employee focus and productivity as their main concerns for a remote workforce that is spending more time working from home or in a café rather than the office.
World-wide changes
To say that the COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench in the operations of many businesses worldwide doesn’t begin to paint the picture of economic devastation the world experienced. Some businesses failed, others adapted and thrived.
With vaccines being distributed internationally, 2021 is providing us with yet another year of adapting. What aspects of daily life will continue to operate as they have in the last year? How parts of our every day will we be able to go back to? Many of these questions will remain unanswered as new strains of COVID-19 continue to emerge in various parts of the world.
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