My (positive) predictions post lockdown

There is no question, covid-19 has turned the world as we know it upside down! It is forcing all of us to act and think differently about the way we live and work.

I personally think both individuals and businesses will come out the other side stronger and more resilient than ever because of this.

Here are 4 predictions (in my opinion) of what things might look like after the pandemic.

1) Increased use of video technology – The use of video technology for communicating was already popular, but now we’re all shut down in our homes, it’s all that available. 

In business, the use of online tools (such as Google Meet/ Zoom etc.) are being used to hold regular team meetings and to catch up with their suppliers/clients. I think this will only increase as 1) home working becomes more popular (for teams to stay interactive throughout the day), and 2) businesses see that meetings can be just as effective over video (why spend ‘x’ amount of money on travel and expenses getting all Partners to a board meeting across the other side of the country when you don’t have to?).

Small businesses are also changing the way they work. For example, my normal yoga class is now cancelled, but the teacher is holding online classes (which have been fantastic), and my friend, for example, has his guitar lesson over video call last week which went extremely well too.

Yes, it’s strange to get used to, but we are adapting quickly, and I think this will only become more popular as we move forward and out of this pandemic.

2) More digital events – I have several friends in the events industry who are already changing over face-to-face events they have booked in for their clients, to digital ones! Granted, it can’t work for all of them, but it’s a step forward and aims to showcase that events can be just as effective online as in person (e.g. industry conferences – you can still have the guest speakers talking, and all the information to either downloaded or be sent out in the post prior to the event if needed). 

On a smaller scale, I have personally signed up to several training sessions online (a couple of which I would have travelled to London for) and found them just as informative and got all the information I needed - all from the comfort of my own home, (and saving the business some travel and lunch expenses too!).

I don’t think online could ever ‘take over’ face-to-face events fully by any means – the experiential part of events in my opinion, is something Event Organisers get paid to create for their clients (helping with overall engagement, customer loyalty etc.), but I do think digital events will 100% be considered and favoured over face-to-face events in many instances.

3) Virtual Medical Appointments – Some healthcare providers were starting to offer this service before the pandemic, but with most now offering initial video consultations (due to social distancing measures), I believe this is set to continue.

I think this is fantastic news, especially for busy professionals who struggle to take any personal time out of the office for a trip to the doctors. It will be more efficient for patients, save unnecessary trips to the doctors and hopefully reduce the amount of missed GP appointments (which costs the NHS over ￡200m a year).

4) More philanthropic behaviour – I’d like to think that this pandemic has put a lot of things into perspective for many of us. The act of giving and putting other people before yourself is something many of us would like to do more of but perhaps never really got around to it.

It sometimes takes a life event for that ‘penny to drop’ to realise the importance of acting selflessly within your own family/friendship group and/or in the community; and to give you that well needed ‘kick’ to action your thoughts.

In this instance, it’s the Covid-19 outbreak. Many of us have already signed up to NHS Volunteer Responders, which is fantastic. It shows there’s thousands of us with the right mindset, so let’s hope when all of this is over and ‘normal’ life resumes, so will our acts of kindness.

So, whether it’s helping a neighbour with their weekly shopping who you know is on their own, or offering your hand at local charity events – I know that I, for one, will be a lot more conscious of helping others post lockdown.

For now, I wish you all the best of health - stay safe.

I welcome any comments/ your owns thoughts and future predictions.