[ad_1]
Even when economies finally reopen, many companies will remain closed as they struggle in the new environment. If they will ever resurface, it is the fear that has plagued expert groups that help companies get back on track after a crisis like a pandemic.
Small business owners are more vulnerable and may need to become entrepreneurs again to survive, according to BBC business reporter Justin Harper.
“Restarting a business is much more difficult than stopping it,” says Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRI).
“When the economy reopens, it won’t suddenly return to normal, certainly not for (and by) everyone,” says Chloe Demrovsky, the institute’s executive director. “Our habits may have changed with the thickness of our wallets.”
What will change
Activities like shopping for traditional groceries, watching movies, corporate meetings, and e-learning have largely moved to the online environment. This may not be just a short-term trend, and companies will need to adapt to it as consumer buying behavior changes.
Individual solutions like this will be replicated in individual countries and around the world. For companies that at this time, even in the blockade, do not adapt, do not show creativity, so after the pandemic it can be very difficult, their fight to survive, to return, will be more difficult, Demrovski said.
An opinion from the International Employers’ Organization, which held an online conference a few days ago, came out in support of such reasoning. The meeting itself was presented as a good example of the development of technology and the decrease in dependence on the use of airplanes and flights, because the world is already digitally connected. In the future, there will be less mobility for people to attend such conferences and seminars. Employers affiliated with this organization emphasized the key role of staff social skills in the digital environment, how they communicate with clients by phone or the Internet. The trend to increase online sales was highlighted, whose participation is expected to increase in the coming years. The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry informed us about this, which participated in the conference.
Demrovsky supports such conclusions. “Some things can change forever. Conferences and big events are likely to be canceled or rarely attended. This can be a nail in the coffin for shared workspaces and open office spaces, as we all realize of the importance of the walls, “said the expert.
While large companies have strong contingency plans and robust risk management programs, smaller companies generally do not.
“These companies will continue to suffer and many will never reopen. What we’ve seen after crises across the community in the past is that everyone who had a small business is now an entrepreneur again, but had to approach the problem from a new (different) point of view. “Demrovsky said.
What will be the new normal?
Business crisis experts say companies need to plan measures such as reduced work hours, flexible shifts, more staff changes.
Retailers must prepare for a greater distance between customers and offer (perhaps only) individually packaged foods (no samples or testers). New (or major pandemic-approved) practices will need to be introduced to provide more peace of mind and security to customers and employees, such as disinfection, regular, visible cleaning. And especially important: strengthen the proper protective practice for employees, such as masks, gloves, and temperature controls.
If schools remain closed or switch to regular (home) distance learning, employers will need to show understanding and flexibility to working parents.
The conclusions of the International Organization of Employers were also in this direction: digitization of all possible processes and levels; creating flexibility for workflows.
[ad_2]
