Where Do We Go Next?

After 2 years of Covid disruptions, is there any such thing as “going back to normal”? And should we be trying to go back to what we were doing before? Many businesses already embraced change and started forging a path toward something new. But for business owners that have been either waiting for business to return to normal or who have made temporary contingency plans, it may be time to start thinking differently.

Digital Transformation

While many businesses started to digitally transform their business years ago, COVID dramatically accelerated the need for technology to survive. Many brick-and-mortar retailers created ecommerce sites to reach their customers where they were at. Home. Other businesses started using QR codes to connect the physical to the digital to reduce the spread of germs. The use of QR codes has also reduced waste, saved time, created new forms of connecting and in some cases, reduced reliance on physical labor.

Great Resignation

Thirty-six percent of professionals say they are planning on taking a new job soon. “The last 18 months have given us all a lot of time for introspection, and many professionals realize that the day-to-day grind of their jobs just isn’t worth it, and it’s time to pursue work options that are more fulfilling and provide purpose,” said Korn Ferry Workforce Transformation Practice Leader Elise Freedman.

This sentiment stands in stark contrast to the concept of “getting back to normal” in the workplace. It speaks to more than just offering flexibility with hybrid work options, or better pay. People want their values to match the mission and day-to-day operations of the organization, and they’re more willing to sacrifice money for quality of life, including work-life balance and mental health.

Where to start?

Start by asking some questions. What are your company’s values? How do they align with current and future customers and employees? Ask them. Is there room for clarification or improvement? Take action on insights you receive. What kinds of problems are your customers and employees facing today? Is there a way to help them solve these problems?

How can you simplify your business? Are there repetitive or mundane tasks that can be automated by technology rather than physical labor?

Bring in outside help to think through options. Sometimes a fresh perspective can bring creative new ideas that you would not have considered on your own.