Covid-19 has brought changes in the way companies do business. These changes are also forcing entrepreneurs to face a new reality. Online shopping, food delivery, and video gaming industries depict a different picture than the hotel, restaurant, and entertainment industries. The ongoing health crisis has led to an unprecedented downturn in the global economy.
Companies and small businesses are searching for new strategies and practices to stay competitive in the market. Entrepreneurs are rapidly accelerating the digitization of their customers through solutions that will fulfill their demands as quickly as possible.
While the coronavirus vaccine offers hope of things returning to normal in a few years, some things in the business world may not go back to being “normal.” These facts have propelled customers to move dramatically towards online channels.
Companies that once avoided going online started to realize the significance of a digital presence. As customers feared going outside and started becoming accustomed to staying at home and shopping online, businesses saw the green light to digitize their services.
Numerous industries that were solely operating offline have thus taken a quantum leap in digital adoption. Respondents from companies are filling gaps with the use of advanced technology. To fill these gaps, companies like digitalsupermarket.com offer a wide range of tools that will help transition your business into the digital era.
Although the automotive and healthcare industry, for instance, have experienced significant changes, entrepreneurs need to be prepared for changes that will primarily affect consumers’ expectations.
Let’s take a look at how different businesses have changed post-pandemic.
With Covid-19 forcing restaurants to introduce mask requirements and vaccination proof, it wasn’t easy to imagine the future of restaurants post-pandemic. One thing restaurants worked on was digitizing their operations. The limited dining experience led to digital ordering and curbside pickup.
The uptick in delivery and takeout has increased the demand for ghost kitchens and virtual concepts that were growing before the pandemic. Various brands use data to merchandise and market products and services through customer-centric campaigns to engage with customers.
The mandatory shutdown of schools pushed most of the world into remote learning. The remote teaching experience highlighted the gaps in digital learning; however, Covid-19 brought online learning into sharp focus. Edtech companies rescued teachers, students, and parents struggling with at-home learning/teaching.
Several platforms have streamlined work for the teachers by centralizing various features on one platform. Tools needed to run different classroom modes, track student progress, and connect with parents have made remote learning easier. Online courses have allowed adult learners with digital access to enhance their skills while working and earning through social media.
While the healthcare industry, from GP practices to urgent care centers to emergency rooms, tackles the ongoing covid-19 pandemic, they have also started thinking about the future of care amid the economic and social uncertainty. Virtual care is the first step into the digital health era that significantly increased the number of telehealth visits with patients seeking outpatient care.
The health system has built a bridge that will stabilize the organizational, financial, and clinical processes. Integrating telehealth technology with appropriate electronic health records, such as Behavioral Health EHR, physician practice processes, and telehealth visits are the essential components of digital health. It will ensure that care is delivered in the right setting and patients receive quality care via digital mediums.
Certain apps offering online therapy have also increased in demand. These apps have been a helping hand for people with anxiety and depression. As people make looking after their mental health a regular practice during the pandemic, the need for teletherapy services will be on the rise.
The digital transition is underway in the financial sector as well. With covid-19, contactless payments, mobile financial services, and insurance tech have been on the rise. Given the concern around physical contact, Google, Apple, and Samsung have added virtual wallets to their mobile products to favor contactless payment options for the public. The contactless payment option offers consumers a safe and clean way to pay.
Digital banking has become necessary, with mobiles becoming a default customer banking channel amid the covid-19 pandemic. Branchless banking has shifted customers’ focus to digital alternatives for taking care of their finances in the wake of avoiding visits to banks.
Widespread store closures and economic uncertainty have led retailers to worry about how their business will strive. Covid-19, however, has accelerated trends that were well underway. One of the biggest trends that have become a necessity for millions is online grocery services. The global health crisis has led many consumers to opt for online delivery services.
Big companies with tremendous spending power have invested in automated fulfillment, while smaller businesses have invested in automation through third-party services. With increased demand, retailers have shifted towards shipping groceries to customers from warehouses.
Automation was on the rise before Covid-19 owing to declined cost and improved functionality. With the Covid-19 pandemic, corporations experienced significant loss with factories shutting down and businesses grinding to a halt. Supply chain automation was the light at the end of the dark tunnel for companies that provided autonomous mobile robots to the warehouse.
Robotic process automation uses software bots to automate workflow. The GUI tasks are repeated without errors that a human user might introduce after several repetitions of that particular task. Automation is not only good for business but also helps employees that are at risk.
Automating routine can lead employees to use their creative skills, enhance interpersonal skills and improve the work environment.
Although many trends have seen continued strength post-pandemic, there is always a risk of change in consumer preferences. Uncertainty of the future has compelled businesses into digital transformation; however, the customer relationship is a more significant part of the digital transition.
Companies have deployed various digital tools and tech platforms to accelerate business growth that has paved a new path in the post-pandemic world.
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Mashum Mollah is an entrepreneur, founder and CEO at Viacon, a digital marketing agency that drive visibility, engagement, and proven results. He blogs at BloggerOutreach.io.
