The world of work has changed dramatically in the last year. Since the first lockdown was announced in March 2020, businesses in South Africa and around the world had to rethink their existing setups.
Offices fell silent as workers set up at home, while high streets that once depended on footfall into their stores had to rapidly set up online outlets and cafés and restaurants switched to take-out menus.
Now, a year on, business trends have emerged that are here to stay. Here’s a look at the top five to look out for in 2021.
1. The move to flexible and remote working
According to global research firm Gartner, over 80% of companies surveyed said they are planning to allow employees to work remotely at least part of the time and almost half (47%) said they’d allow working from home full time. This was a survey that allowed multiple responses, but it’s clear from these numbers that there has been a shift in attitude towards home working.
Remote working isn’t a new idea, but it’s often been an option that was rarely promoted among businesses as traditional attitudes towards presenteeism were the norm. As a result of the pandemic, these companies are finding that not only do employees not have to be in the same office at the same time to do their job but that they’re actually more productive.
2. Brands go global
As more businesses begin to utilize video conferencing software like Zoom, face-to-face meetings are being swapped for virtual conversations. This has meant that, instead of time-consuming travel to different locations, communications are more immediate, with deals being struck after a brief Teams call.
While air travel will resume after the pandemic, it’s likely that companies will continue to use video calls to do business. It saves money on business travel expenses and allows for a more efficient means of extending the reach beyond the base country.
3. New business opportunities
In 2021, it’s likely we’ll see a rise in more online businesses and there may be more careers that can be adapted to the world of digital.
The last year has led to a lot of people becoming increasingly tech-savvy, leading to new business opportunities that may not have been an option before. Many careers work well online, from e-commerce retail to web design.
Whether you’re thinking of using your administrative skills to become a virtual assistant or you’re considering trying your hand at the markets and selecting a lowest spread forex broker, there are many ways to earn a living online.
4. Contactless living
Everything from takeaways to doorstep deliveries has required limited contact in the last 12 months, and this will continue. Cash has already been swept to the sidelines as contactless spending has become the main way of handling transactions.
China has already introduced autonomous vehicles to deliver groceries to customers, while startups in the US are using robotics to safely get goods to clients and take payments for these.
5. E-learning becoming the norm
With school closures across 190 countries, education changed rapidly. School teachers delivered lessons to pupils over Google Classroom and parents took up some of the teaching responsibilities.
While educational establishments allow students back into classrooms and lecture theatres, it’s likely that online learning will be an option for many from now on. Classes being conducted via video conferencing are beneficial to both pupils and teaching staff for several reasons. It makes learning more accessible, both physically and financially, and it enables learners to access teachers and tutors in an interactive way.
