Adapting Your Business For Corona Virus

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that in times of trouble, the strongest have usually been the ones to survive. In this period of quarantine, social media has been filled with sad messages of business closures and promises to return once the lockdown has been lifted. Coronavirus has threatened the livelihood of millions of Brits, with many businesses facing financial difficulties and workers coming to terms with redundancies and furlough. But that universally acknowledged truth doesn’t have to remain true. The key to moving through this difficult period is being adaptable and allowing your business to be flexible in how it operates or what format it uses to get the work done.

Call us biased, but at Dorset Tech we see first-hand how technology is shaping the modern working world, and though it can seem a daunting task, it’s easily overcome with some creative thinking and a bit of know-how. Hospitals in China have worked with production facilities based in Denmark to acquire the use of disinfecting robots, specially designed to use ultra-violet light to disinfect hospital rooms. These robots were manufactured before the Covid-19 pandemic, but the demand has increased since China became an epicentre for the virus, and the production of these robots has inspired other tech companies to adapt their production lines to help in the fight against Covid-19. In addition to this, drones are being used by many different workforces, most notably in the Spanish police force, where drones are used to monitor the streets ensuring everyone is following the rules of the quarantine.

So how can technology be beneficial to us? It’s difficult to imagine how it can help us as we self-isolate, beyond binging on Netflix or using the internet to connect with friends and family. Whether you’re a business owner or you’re tasked with working from home, technology can help ease the challenges we’re facing in this lockdown.

The most obvious way technology is helping businesses to adapt is through websites that allow conference calls or video chat meetings to take place. This technology extends to schools and universities, who are hosting online lectures and lessons to enable students to continue studying without having to rely on being self-disciplined, as a teacher or professor is still able to guide the class through course material. Using these types of software allows businesses to continue operating smoothly and helps colleagues to collaborate effectively while in lockdown.

Another successful way technology is helping businesses survive is through finding alternative ways of presenting their services. A large obstacle is faced by the arts and entertainment industry, with many actors out of work and productions shut down after government guidelines were put in place. This can be devastating for smaller communities, where local arts centres depend on the patronage of their audiences to afford running costs. But those that are electing to adapt to the online world are the ones that are thriving, offering ‘virtual’ tours of galleries or allowing audiences to access previously recorded productions. There are many arts centres finding alternative ways to offer new and exciting content, making use of recording equipment to put on radio plays or taking the opportunity to begin a podcast series for eager audiences. This creative thinking and willingness to tackle technology as a new format means the arts industry can survive, and it’s a solution applicable to most businesses. Look to popular figures like Joe Wicks, who made his money in the online world when he was struggling to garner business on word-of-mouth alone. He’s taken his tour of the UK online and is offering P.E. lessons from home that can be followed along via YouTube, increasing his business through a simple switch.

Remember that this lockdown is a great way of assessing your businesses’ needs. Would your business find making a switch to an online format beneficial? Do you think it could help attract a wider audience? Here at Dorset Tech, we’re available for any and all tech advice you may have, from app development to website building. Don’t be afraid to get in contact for more information or visit our website for a full list of services and prices.