The new norm: rewriting our future post COVID-19

Although the full economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis is yet to be realised, with new case numbers low or non-existent in Australia and New Zealand, we are in a fortunate position compared to many other countries across the world.

Now, it is critical to find the time, and space, to look beyond the immediate crisis response and road to recovery, to what Australia and NZ will need to prosper in the new norm.  

As Michael Shoebridge from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute points out, “It’s about re-imagining what Australia can be and how we can thrive and prosper in our future beyond the coronavirus and in light of drought, bushfires and climate change.”  I would argue, the same applies for New Zealand.

The spirit of collaborative planning and decision making that has characterised the Australian and NZ government responses needs to extend beyond the crisis of COVID-19.  Post crisis, our future doesn’t lie just with Government and policy makers, but also industry, business, education institutions and social institutions.   

We all have a part to play.

Research by Kantar gathered throughout the crisis has shown that consumer behaviour and expectations have changed. What, where and how we shop has changed. The world around has changed. There is no going back.  

Remote working will be with us forever.  Zoom continues to experience a significant rise in its share price and the uptake of Microsoft Teams has been extraordinary. Long after COVID-19 becomes manageable - online, on-camera and on-call - will become just another day at the ‘home’ office. 

Collaboration platforms are thriving, and our lifestyles have shifted online with Australians getting innovative with digital experiences. Facebook’s new group video chat feature demonstrates the longevity it sees in this behaviour change.

The international borders of Australia and New Zealand (except maybe to one another) are likely to remain closed or (at the least) very severely restricted to people movement for a considerable time.

Travel for work will be dramatically reduced. We may see a complete re-birth of the entire airline and tourism industry, where local and regional leisure travel is the focus.

Health guidelines and consumer demand for zero touch have changed expectations for traditional banking, payment and delivery processes. Manufacturers will look to build zero touch into their supply chain and, where possible, bring production onshore.

Tele-healthcare will continue to advance. Its rapid roll out may improve speed and efficiency in the health system and close the gap on delivery of services to regional and remote communities.

Artificial intelligence will play a new role as we look at tech and its uses for medicine, in an entirely new way.

As Telstra and Vodafone rollout national 5G networks and with the NBN rollout due for completion in mid 2020, ubiquitous high-speed internet access beyond major metropolitan areas will allow for the decentralisation of our cities. The opportunity to drive greater population shifts to regional communities will be further heightened by people seeking lower costs of living combined with the ability to work and learn remotely.

Finally, we are about to enter the most inventive period in human history. 

New businesses will be opened, new products launched, and new services and opportunity created. 

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rewrite what we thought was our future.  Together.