It is certainly no headline that COVID has driven the vast majority of businesses to change the way they operate over the past 12 months.
The obvious changes we've all likely experienced, such as; office staff working from home, 'Zoom meetings', and restaurants starting home delivery are just a few.
What will be interesting to see is exactly what changes are 'temporary' measures whilst lockdown restrictions are in place, and how many are permanent changes that will impact the way that businesses operate for years to come. Is working from home going to be the 'new-norm' even in a post lockdown world? The chief exec of Unilever certainly thinks so, and even home builders are redesigning new builds to include a 'home office space'.
The good news is, that whatever decisions a business makes for the long-term, technology is no longer going to be a barrier to implementing these solutions and it could be said that COVID has simply been a catalyst to what was an inevitable shift in working styles.
Whilst we appreciate most business now have a 'working' solution for homeworking during lockdown, any business that simply has a divert to mobile solution, is missing a trick. As these temporary solutions become more permanent, we can help guide a businesses understand the opportunities available.
If you are starting to look at flexible and home-working as a longer term solution for your business, please do get in touch with me on 0131 3000103 or martin@2circlesconsulting.com if diverting calls to a mobile is your current solution.
“We anticipate never going back to five days a week in the office,” Jope said. “That seems very old-fashioned now.”
