New Year, New Pandemic Adaptations – Here to Stay!
Another holiday rush is in the rear view, and the new year is at hand. It’s a time to rest, regroup, and plan for what’s coming next – and a time to look back at where we’ve been.
It’s been a tumultuous couple of years, to say the least. And, if the story of 2020 was the historic disruption of COVID-19 forcing businesses and organizations of all sizes to adapt their operations and marketing strategies in the face of unprecedented challenges, then surely the story of 2021 has been the extent to which many of these adaptations have laid the groundwork for a sort of “new normal” moving forward.
Let’s look at a few of these pandemic-era adaptations that are likely here for the long haul…
Remote work shakes up the old “9-to-5”
With state mandates shuttering non-essential workplaces in the early days of the pandemic, businesses and organizations turned to online conferencing and productivity apps to stay connected and on-task. Now, many companies and workers have grown to embrace remote work – and as the evolving pandemic pushes many businesses to delay their “return to office” dates indefinitely, workers able to take advantage of work-from-home options will likely be doing so for some time.
Conventions, meetups, and fundraisers go virtual with online conferencing tools
As the pandemic made large gatherings impossible, event planners found safe, socially distanced alternatives to the hotel and convention hall in Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, and other web-based conferencing tools. Virtual conferencing has many benefits for attendees – it’s more accessible and open, and less taxing on time and resources. So, even as in-person events make a slow comeback, experts predict that online events will remain a popular option in 2022.
Restaurants pivot to embrace technology amid the pandemic
The restaurant industry has historically been slow to adapt new technology – but when the pandemic struck, there was perhaps no industry more imperiled, so a rush to adapt was a matter of survival. Looking to 2022, state mandates have relaxed considerably, and dining rooms are once again open from coast to coast. But innovations like curbside pickup, contactless delivery, and beefed-up online ordering options have proven a hit with customers, so they’re likely to be “on the menu” for a while.
The subscription box makes a comeback
Just a few years ago, some analysts had suggested that subscription boxes were reaching a “saturation point.” But with the disruption of the pandemic, the subscription-based model enjoyed a resurgence in popularity, with many consumers finding comfort in the convenience and reliability of regular deliveries. Subscriptions are a terrific way to build brand loyalty and keep sales going, and they’re a great fit for any retailer looking to build out their e-commerce offerings as we march into 2022.
We’ve been through challenging times, and there are surely more challenges to come. But with a smart strategy that makes the most of today’s digital toolkit, your business or nonprofit will be ready for whatever’s coming over the horizon. If you’re ready to learn more, contact us at Rosie’s Creative today – and remember, with us, your first consultation will always be free!
From all of us at Rosie’s Creative – have a happy, safe, and prosperous New Year!