The pandemic has highlighted the importance of adaptability and agility in business. With companies and startups now setting out on a quest to thrive post-lockdown, it’s wise to focus on being flexible and to find effective ways to promote growth and drive sales as we adjust to a ‘new normal.’ In this guide, we’ll explore some steps business owners can take to embrace adaptability in the post-lockdown era.
Flexible staffing and working arrangements
In March 2020, millions of people all over the world stopped piling onto trains, buses and highways, traveling to their kitchen tables or spare bedrooms instead. Thanks to technology, many teams have been able to keep going despite stringent measures in place to prevent movement and maintain social distancing. The shift to home working has not been ideal for some, but many are considering embracing remote working long after lockdown measures have been eased further. For many companies, having a workforce based at home is a lot cheaper, and with the relevant tools and resources, employees can be equally productive without the need to cover expenses. For employees, there’s also the benefit of cutting out a commute, which saves time and money, and the ability to enjoy a more flexible working schedule. As businesses look forward, it’s beneficial to analyze the impact of working from home and to think about how you staff your business in the future.
Online sales and customer engagement
One of the most significant effects of the Coronavirus crisis is the growth of online shopping. During lockdown, when stores were closed, many people opted to do their shopping on the web. Even after shops started reopening, some customers were inclined to continue placing orders via websites, social media networks and apps. If you don’t sell online at the moment, it’s wise to consider broadening your selling options to cater to the online market and also to provide an alternative means of keeping your business running if there are further lockdowns in the winter. You can use innovative technology to enable customers to view and order products, to make bookings and reservations and to find out more about the services you offer. You can also provide alternative options to calling into a store or eatery. If you have a restaurant, for example, and you’re currently offering a takeout service, as well as your usual dine-in service, you can use a QR code generator to allow customers to place an order using their phone or tablet. In a matter of seconds, the user can open your site or app, scan the code, browse the menu, choose what they want to eat, pay and select a delivery slot.
Evaluate objectives
The world is a very different place for consumers and businesses. In the last few months, your objectives and goals may have changed. Now, as you look to the future, evaluate your key objectives, look for opportunities to grow and thrive, and align your targets with evolving trends and habits. You might want to invest more heavily in online sales or social media engagement, for example, or you may be looking to expand your product or service range to cater to demand.
Adaptability is key in business, and this has been underlined in recent months. If you’re keen to push your business forward in the months ahead, take these tips on board.
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