COVID-19: What to Do Next?
Wow, what a crazy time we are living in! Pandemics, quarantines, work from home, no school…. the list continues to grow. One thing that stands out is social distancing and the technology tools that make it possible. The new norm, maybe; but we do know that now and in the near future social distancing will be practiced more and more. With this “new norm” for the time being, where does that leave us? Continuing to work from home? That cannot continue forever. So, what’s the plan, what do we do next? well, I happen to specialize in technologies that keep people safe and have a few expert suggestions for technology tools and practices that small businesses could implement to protect their people now and into the post-pandemic future.
Mark Cuban recently stated in an interview with Laura Ingraham, “I don’t know when we’re going to get from America 1.0 to America 2.0, but we’ll get there.” He was discussing the future of businesses, how entrepreneurs will lead change, and how certain businesses (like manufacturing) will need to change as well. What about the American office environment? What does its “America 2.0” look like? The office environment that we’ve always known will have to be redesigned. A more disinfected work environment will have to take effect, and the transfer of germs and viruses will have to be limited, to the best of our ability. We will also have to have plans in place should, God forbid, another pandemic comes our way.
America’s current offices, for the most part, go something like this. How many cubicles and employees can we fit in the smallest space? 10x10’s are the norm, and the hours of the day are 8 to 5 for all. Work from home is for the chosen few, and most may not be as productive in the work from home environment. The change that should take place is a hybrid system. More open floor plans, fewer 10x10’s, and built-in social distancing in the office. Hours will need to change as well. There may be more hybrid schedules with employees coming to the office throughout the day at set times and having other tasks to accomplish from a work from home environment. Fewer employees will have the 8 to 5 they were accustomed to, and management will be using technology tools (such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams) to keep employees connected & engaged throughout the workday.
With those types of drastic changes in schedules, technology tools will be called upon to assist in keeping office areas compliant with work schedules and keeping offices free from the germs and viruses that spread so easily. Currently, camera manufacturers are touting cameras that can read the temperature of people as they pass through a certain area. Thanks to these advanced analytics, an employee can be sent home before sitting down at their desk if there’s a health risk they may impose on those around them.
Access control companies are rolling out automatic door openers and touchless access control devices, so grabbing even the handle of a door should no longer be needed. Cloud-based technologies make managing all of these services as easy as logging in from wherever a manager or owner may be. These are just a few of the many ways technology is helping in keeping the transfer of germs limited.
Many companies across the world have to be reflecting and seeing that they were gravely underprepared for this time. It’s understandable but we must also look forward.
Once we take the necessary precautions to protect those coming in and out of our offices and have limited the transfer of germs; We’ll next have to prepare. We will have to have a plan in place for our business to continue running, limit the number of layoffs, and have funds in place to continue being a viable contributor to society in the craziest of times.
Car companies flipping the switch from vehicles to respirators, mom and pop sewing companies flipping from manufacturing clothes to face masks, security companies changing on a dime to not only protecting individual businesses but to protecting communities. These plans need to be ready at a moment's notice before the orders are issued to protect our people, our way of life, and our communities and neighborhoods.
Yes, this is a crazy time. Things I never thought I would have to learn, I’m mastering. New ways of doing business, I am learning. Knowing what’s important and knowing there’s a different way to do things, I am now understanding. As we all are!
We will come out better on the other side of this current pandemic and, like Mark Cuban, I’m looking forward to the changes we will make...To the changes, we make in how we do business, how our country manufactures products, and even how we go to the office from day today!
I, for one, am looking forward to America 2.0.
If you’re interested in more information on the technology tools that can help you better secure your business, you can read more here. Stay safe everyone, and wash your hands!