Many businesses desire that with the onset of post-COVID times, everything will be back to normal. Many liked the reality in which we lived. However, just as a few years ago, businesses and people faced a new reality that forced everyone to play by new rules, now, when the increase in the incidence is declining, a completely different reality is emerging, which will also need to get used to.
Some things change for the better and some don’t. If earlier the office routine was something ordinary for everyone, now, when there is an opportunity to return to the offices, half of the people are willing to do this, but on their terms, and the other half refuses to return, citing that they have adapted to work from at home even more efficiently.
Now the number of requests for renting offices among companies is growing. Companies are looking for offices for rent in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and other states, but the demand has increased not for traditional offices, but rather for small, technologically equipped offices that are great for companies choosing a hybrid approach.
This is one of the trends affecting the new reality. We will talk about other business and technology trends emerging today.
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Increasing use of artificial intelligence
Unbeknownst to many, artificial intelligence broke into our everyday lives. Siri voice assistant, Google Translate offering language recognition, Snapchat offering face detection, and more are AI-based technologies we use every day.
This technology has made the greatest revolution in various industries. It helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, provides customers with a personalized experience, automates workflows, and much more.
The potential of this technology has not yet been fully exploited. That is why companies plan to produce even more products based on artificial intelligence technology.
S-commerce growth
In recent years, the approach to shopping has changed. Visiting offline stores became almost impossible, so the e-commerce industry began to flourish. This allowed many businesses not to lose their competitiveness.
Against this background, it has become clear to many companies how important brand awareness and a strong connection with customers are. They largely depend on the presence of companies online, namely on social networks. Thus, all currently popular platforms have become the basis for social marketing.
In addition, the number of social platforms that offer to make purchases is growing. Customers can make purchases without leaving Facebook or Instagram, which provides them with a special convenience.
Respect for nature
The transition from the thoughtless use of the resources of the planet has abruptly changed to a careful attitude to nature. We are seeing an increase in the number of buyers of electric cars, which encourages the auto industry to quickly develop high-quality infrastructure. Every year there are more and more companies, such as Tesla and Lucid Motors, that produce exclusively eco-friendly vehicles. In addition, major well-known automakers are phasing out internal combustion engine vehicles in favor of electric vehicles.
People have begun to pay more attention to which companies they buy from and what policies these companies have. Numerous companies such as McDonald’s and others are phasing out plastic in favor of wooden cutlery. Respect for nature motivates buyers to think carefully about their purchases.
Individual approach
The increase in online shopping motivates companies to take an individual approach to customers. High technologies such as artificial intelligence, customer data collection, and analysis are laying a solid foundation for companies to follow the entire customer journey. This is another way for companies to remain competitive.
Buyers have become much more demanding. They are not going to trade for a common experience, a common product, or a common solution to their problem. Companies should study their target audience more carefully to offer exactly the solution that their customers need. That’s why we see the rise in personalized email newsletters, special offers, personalized discounts, fast and high-quality customer service, etc.
Focus on health
Recent years have opened the eyes of all people on the planet to how reckless they are about their health. It all started with the fact that older people fell ill, whose immunity could not cope with a serious infection. Then young people with chronic diseases or obesity began to get sick. This showed us how little attention we pay to our health.
Right now, the focus is on health. Companies urging employees to return to the office promise to guarantee a safe workplace, and offer a variety of vitality and wellness programs.
Consumers have begun to pay more attention to what they eat. Thus, we saw an increased demand for locally produced goods, that is, high-quality local products. In addition, people are acquiring more and more gadgets that allow them to monitor their overall health.
Conclusion
Post-COVID times do not mean that everything will return to the way it was before. This applies to both the daily lives of people and companies. The radical changes that took place two years ago dictate a new reality to which everyone must adapt.
Featured photo by Andrea Cau