Reinventing Your Business for a Post-Coronavirus World
We know it’s going to take time to get back to some degree of normalcy, but it’s still important to prepare for the drastic changes required in a post-coronavirus world.
As states start lifting lockdowns with restrictions in place for businesses reopening their doors, it’s essential to understand that it’s going to take some time to get back to some degree of normalcy. The coronavirus pandemic brought about severe health and humanitarian crisis around the world – and along with that, a multitude of other challenges for businesses of all types and sizes:
- Significant regulatory modifications
- Greater uncertainty
- Supply chain interruptions
- Decreased customer demand
- Economic recession
For many, it’s been a challenging, trying time. We hope you are safe, healthy, and doing your part to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. But as we look toward the future, we can’t help but think what’s next?
Preparing your strategy for reinventing your business
If you’ve been working remotely, you’ve likely dealt with your fair share of challenges. Hopefully, you have found a way to resolve them by now. If not, feel free to get in touch with us for assistance with remote work. In a post-coronavirus world, however, there will be a lasting effect on organizations and the way they operate, hire, and grow. It’s no secret: things won’t be the same for quite a while, if ever.
The coronavirus pandemic has made one thing very clear: we need business contingency plans for disruptions that are widespread and long-lasting. In the past, organizations would plan for disruptions in the form of a flood, fire, or natural disaster like a bad storm. Now? We see the importance of planning for something like a pandemic that unfolds over several months.
Unfortunately, from a technological perspective, many businesses weren’t prepared for the coronavirus pandemic. They simply weren’t ready to pick up and continue operations from home. Next time, they’ll need a plan in place that incorporates:
The right devices
In the majority of cases, laptops and tablets can do everything a workplace computer can. Still, they must be up-to-date, secure, and run a supported operating system to minimize vulnerabilities. Take some time to sort out how your hardware fits into the concept of remote work. In some cases, it makes sense to invest in corporate-owned devices.
The right cybersecurity measures
Cybersecurity is always a significant concern, but this is especially true in a world of uncertainty and fear – two things hackers take advantage of. Corporate-owned devices can be set up with a virtual private network (VPN) ahead of time to ensure a secure connection. A few other necessities include:
- Anti-virus software
- Firewalls
- Two-factor authentication
The right communication tools
To keep in touch with staff members, clients, partners, and suppliers, you’ll need communication tools that work from any device or location. Microsoft Teams is a great place to start – giving you access to video conferencing, alongside your email, calendar, contacts, etc. A VoIP business phone is another critical tool that can help you maintain communication.
Planning for business contingency is only the beginning
So what’s next for reinventing your business?
Planning for business contingency is an essential step. However, to prosper in a post-coronavirus world, there’s much more to be done. Here are our recommendations:
Position yourself for success
Some organizations will need to change the way they position themselves in their environment. Think about your competitors, the role you play in the industry, and whether or not you’ll need to adjust to open unchanged after the pandemic. For some, opportunities arise given the fact that they’re on a more level playing field with nationwide enterprises as everything has become virtual. For others, they’re in a problematic position given the fact that they’re operating in an area, like hospitality or travel, that relies on people feeling comfortable moving freely.
Alter your hiring and management process
Naturally, the way you hire, manage, and support your employees will change. In the future, you’ll want to spend time considering an applicant’s capabilities in terms of remote work. Do they have experience with working from home? Do they have the ability to self-manage to some degree? You will also want to incorporate some time of process for managing and supporting these employees, including compensation for higher bandwidth at home.
Get rid of outdated, manual processes
Lastly, organizations that will thrive in a post-coronavirus world are those that rid themselves of outdated, manual processes. It’s time to embrace long-term resilience through automation and artificial intelligence. Think about what areas of your business depend heavily on manual intervention and find ways to reduce the reliance on humans as much as possible. This, in turn, helps you lower operational expenses while enhancing efficiency. Plus, there’s the added benefit of cutting any sort of transmission risks.
Nobody saw the coronavirus pandemic coming, but you can’t assume it won’t happen again. We’re here to help prepare your business to be resilient against disruptions and thrive in a post-coronavirus world.
Interested in working with us? Contact us!
Everyday, I work to ensure organizations are leveraging technology to optimize their business, improve employee performance and satisfaction, and protect themselves from cybersecurity threats. I love my role in business development because it allows me to connect with all facets of a business. My primary focus is working with new prospective clients and introducing them to the Generation IX way of IT services and support. Additionally, I evaluate new technology and potential vendor partnerships. We are constantly looking for the best solutions for our clients.
