When the pandemic hit in 2020, small businesses were sent into a time of upheaval from which many are still recovering. Now that life has regained some sense of normalcy, new trends are emerging that can help small businesses find their footing in what will hopefully soon be a post-pandemic world.
Hybrid Workplaces
Over the past two years, many companies, large and small, have had to figure out how to continue regular operations in an oft-remote environment. In March of 2020, thousands of employees were suddenly working from home, balancing work and family simultaneously throughout the day. Although it presented particular challenges, many company higher-ups discovered that employee productivity actually increased when their employees could choose their optimal work time and achieve a healthier balance between their work and home lives. Moving forward, multi-generational employees with different value systems and experiences will likely come to expect the option of a hybrid workplace. Small businesses that embrace this will attract a more diverse and loyal workforce.
Family-First Workplace Values
In keeping with the past few years’ effects on employees and businesses alike, the past few years have led many people to reassess what they value most in life, resulting in the family-first movement. Small business owners will need to create (or recreate) a set of workplace values that consider the needs of their employees with families and ensure that management leads with those values every day.
Effective Digital Marketing
There are generally two camps for small business owners and digital marketing: they either don’t see the need for it, or they understand that it’s here to stay. Digital marketing will never wholly replace in-person relationships and profile building, but its cost-and-time efficiency can no longer be ignored. The ability to reach a broad audience with a small budget is currently unparalleled. A large majority of Gen Xers and Millenials choose not to buy from certain establishments without an online presence, citing skepticism about the legitimacy of the business. Like it or not, being digitally present is a necessity in today’s market.
We’re a small business and believe helping other small businesses helps us all. If you need help getting your business online or don’t know where to start with digital marketing, we’ve got your back! Give us a call and let’s see what we can build together!