The most successful companies are those best able to adapt to rapid change in the marketplace. It goes without saying that the last few weeks have seen a whirlwind of upheavals across the globe on numerous personal and professional fronts due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- On the business side of things, supply chains, design chains, and routine ways of working and communicating have been altered. Essential businesses remain in operation, while others deemed non-essential (especially those in travel, hospitality, and service industries) have shuttered or severely cut back their operations.
- On the personal side of things, some families have grown closer (often forcibly due to stay-at-home orders, people working from home, school closures, and layoffs/furloughs) while others have become more distant, due to self-quarantining and travel restrictions.
As a result and out of necessity, the ways of doing business and interacting with clients, colleagues, teachers, friends, and family have changed—in the short-term, for sure, and possibly forever.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
Perhaps at no other time in the history could organizations and individuals confront such a widespread shutdown without the prospect of complete isolation and financial disaster. Luckily, we live in a time where technology allows us to deliver healthcare, teach students, conduct business, and engage in social contact virtually.
- Most K-12 schools and colleges have been closed for three weeks or more, with most likely to stay that way through the end of the current school year. This has forced students, teachers, and parents to shift quickly to new ways of learning and teaching online. Not without its challenges (for example, some families lack the bandwidth and devices necessary for broadband connectivity), remote learning and online classes are a way to keep students engaged and learning throughout this crisis.
- On the national and state levels, laws are being relaxed to allow for more telemedicine (the practice of medicine at a distance using technology, such as teleconferencing). In many cases, this frees up health care providers to deal with those patients who require in-person care while limiting the need for some patients to travel to health care facilities where they might be exposed (or expose others) to the COVID-19 virus. While many details need to be worked out, this long-talked-about approach to medicine is currently getting a robust trial run.
- Like many dine-in restaurants, Fiddler’s Green, an Irish pub in Winter Park, Florida (and community gathering spot) is transitioning to delivery and takeout during this crisis. They’re also getting creative by conducting their popular Wednesday night trivia nights, virtually of course, as a way to maintain community spirit and togetherness.
- On the job front, many recruiters and employers are utilizing digital interviews to screen prospective candidates. Already gaining popularity before the pandemic, this practice of remote interviewing is especially relevant now so candidates don’t have to travel and potentially expose themselves and their potential new employers (or vice versa) to the virus.
- While most sporting events, movie premiers, festivals, and other mass gathering that require social interaction have been cancelled, many organizations are using teleconferencing to hold their meetings virtually and maintain continuity. For example, numerous local chapters of the Women Presidents Organization, a peer advisory organization connecting women business leaders in the United States and many other countries, are holding their monthly meetings via Zoom or other videoconferencing technology.
- Millions of employees from all sorts of businesses all over the world are working from home, and many are doing so for the first time ever. To stay connected, they are utilizing videoconferencing software and smartphone Apps and functions. While videoconferencing platforms have made leaps and bounds in recent years, the sheer volume of new users has resulted in slowdowns, video quality issues, and disconnects. Nevertheless, for many, the technology is making business meetings possible.
POPULAR VIDEOCONFERENCING PLATFORMS
Here are some popular videoconferencing platforms and Apps you might find useful (if you have additional suggestions or ideas for best practices or feedback on lessons learned, leave them in the comments below):
- Zoom Videoconferencing
- Skype (desktop)
- Skype (iOS)
- Skype (Android)
- Microsoft Teams
- Facetime
Pets Get Cabin Fever Too!
THE MONKEYZ TEAM IS HERE TO HELP
Barrel O’Monkeyz has been and remains a virtual team of strategic, tactical, and creative types with expertise in digital marketing, email marketing, social media, public relations, and website development. We’ve been working remotely with clients for more than a decade—and we don’t see that changing any time soon.
We recognize this is a stressful this time, especially for small businesses. If you are struggling with how to keep your business afloat, we are here for you. Give us a call to discuss potential services or just for some helpful advice to help you weather this storm. We are reducing our service pricing to help businesses stay on and/or get back on their feet! Contact us today.
