In unprecedented ways, the year 2020 has changed industries. Companies (small business) also had to adjust to new working standards and consumer needs. Specific sectors such as events and travel were hit, while other sectors such as eCommerce saw an unexpected development.
We can now benefit from the past year and plan for emerging changes in the market environment as we transition to 2021.
Although it is not a new necessity to have a robust eCommerce presence, 2020 demonstrated just how important online offerings could be for companies. For this year, these offerings will be needed to keep up with the advancement of innovations such as smartphone and voice recognition.
The year 2021 will also concentrate on partnerships, both with clients and with workers. Building good customer relationships and enhancing employee health will be crucial for any organization to remain competitive and keep up with industry standards.
To learn more about the 2021 forecast and how to plan, read on, with trends including:
- Keeping up with eCommerce technology demands
- Prioritizing employee well-being
- An online shift for employees and customers
- Building customer relations
An Elevated Baseline for Technology
When more business takes place online, your business needs to follow a slew of technical expectations and others to keep your eye on for the future.
Your website needs to satisfy mobile shoppers as there is an immense increase in mobile shopping, or m-commerce. It will be even easier for customers to build an application.
As it grows in popularity with customers, voice search must also be introduced on your website or app.
Employee Well-Being is Non-Negotiable
Employee wellbeing has become a concern for many businesses after a disastrous 2020 that forced companies to navigate an unprecedented global health crisis.
Employee well-being includes:
- More physical and mental health benefits
- Social support
- Team building opportunities
- Flexibility in the workplace
A Shift Online for Employees and Customers
Over the last few years, eCommerce has seen a tremendous growth. Yet 2020 has boosted the development of eCommerce by an estimated five years. It’s obvious that, no matter the industry, small companies have to satisfy their customers online.
If your business moves away from brick and mortar or continues to do business in person, ensure that your online presence is strong and that clients can virtually connect with your company.
Although the pandemic is still not over, keep offering virtual activities and serving customer requirements such as delivery and pickup .Also, look into the future to see if the company needs to be changed to be better suited to online markets.
Remote Work is Here to Stay
For several, remote work became a necessity as individuals stayed home during the pandemic. But workers make remote work a more permanent option. 82 percent of organizations would encourage at least partial remote work after the pandemic, a Gartner survey found.
Assess your current workplace to see if your room can be downsized, or if you need to learn strategies to better handle your remote team.
Customer Relations Take Center Stage
Customer retention is going to be a big success factor going into 2021. So, in the new year, keep your attention on your clients.
Consumers will become much more cautious in their shopping habits, as the future of the economy will deteriorate with the pandemic. They would want quality goods from businesses they can trust. To keep consumers happy and loyal, do everything that you can.
Create a plan to cater to your dutiful customers with ideas, such as:
- Incentivizing customer reviews
- Bolstering social media and engagement
- Introducing a loyalty or reward program
- Offering promotions and discounts
- Enhancing customer service
The year 2020 solidified company activities that were in the making for several years. As 2021 unfolds, by knowing the trends that will affect your company, prepare yourself.
Just some examples of the new standard that took hold were a drive for eCommerce and the need for versatility with job locations. Keep up with market demands as emerging technology becomes more popular, such as voice recognition.
And note, individuals are the pillar of the industry. So devote time to strengthening relations with your clients and creating a caring workplace for employees.
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