Virtually every business in every industry has been directly affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic. While the worst of the virus is (hopefully) behind us, the fallout is sure to impact everything from daily operations to marketing and client interactions for a long time to come. A new norm has been established, and company owners must take heed of the lessons that the coronavirus has taught.
Above all else, the pandemic has highlighted the importance of continuity planning for all businesses. Here are some of the key lessons that we’ve learned from these unprecedented situations.
Your Business Must Always Be Prepared
If COVID-19 proved anything, it’s the fact that your business can be turned on its head overnight. Once the lockdown regulations were established, companies instantly found themselves needing to implement a new way of working. While it’s impossible to predict the future, preparing your company for every eventuality is now more important than ever.
Your business relies on technology every day. Accessibility to data files, software, and team collaboration systems cannot be compromised by outside factors. Using a Jacksonville IT company to help with your security for when disaster strikes and your business is forced to handle transitions remotely. In turn, productivity levels can be maintained no matter what life throws your way.
Flexibility is Key
There’s more than one way to successfully run a business, and COVID-19 has shown that you must be open to adapting yours as required. Even the most rigorous planning won’t allow you to prevent all obstacles, but learning to act quickly in a business emergency can remove downtime and disruptions to keep the venture on a positive trajectory at all times.
Companies across multiple industries have had to implement new strategies in response to COVID-19. Common examples include increased contact payment limits, click and collect purchases, contactless deliveries, and changes to tiered services. When powered by IT teams and facilities that facilitate quick reactions and modifications will have a massive impact on continuity and sustainability.
Customer Service is an Essential Feature
During the height of the pandemic, research showed that companies experienced double the amount of “difficult” customer calls while contact from clients undergoing financial hardships saw a dramatic increase too. Quite simply, then, the companies that were able to continue providing quality customer service fared better than those whose processes were disrupted.
In addition to implementing clear company policies, businesses should aim to achieve the possibility of reliability through remote-based interactions. The integration of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a particularly wise move for the sake of costs and clarity. The use of website Live Chat and social media are vital too. Crucially, teams must be trained, with the help of U.S. platforms, to cultivate consistency.
Communication is the Foundation for Success
Clear communication has always formed the backbone of modern business and should cover internal links as well as client interactions. The use of modern tech systems like VoIP, video conferencing, and instant messaging will provide a strong platform to build upon. The support of an IT team that handles installations and ongoing maintenance is crucial, but technology alone won’t suffice.
Businesses must pay close attention to encouraging accountability and responsibility, especially for interactions between departments or workers that are stationed in different locations due to COVID-19 restrictions. Speed and transparency will support your bid for continuity across the entire organization throughout the fallout and for many years to follow. Both technology and mindsets must hit the mark.
The Business Landscape of the Future is Changing
The world of business evolves rapidly, but we are now in the midst of a significant shift. Despite the struggles in the very early days of the transitional phase, many workers now actively want to work at home. It’s better for their safety and, when handled correctly, can boost productivity. Not least because working from home eradicates the need for commuting and travel.
Navigating towards a more permanent solution that incorporates remote workers and hybrid offices powered by new tech systems and improved communication expectations is something the majority of modern companies must learn to embrace. With specialist help, the integration of advanced facilities can become a lot smoother, ensuring optimal efficiency to spearhead consistency across the board.
Conclusion
The fact that your business has survived the initial fallout of COVID-19 is cause for celebration, but you cannot afford to let that momentum come to a stop. Your company needs to adjust itself to the new norm, which requires more emphasis on remote, and secure technology. When you get it right, the continuity in all scenarios will translate to a better bottom line.
