As coronavirus 2019, or Covid-19, continues its steady and unrelenting spread across the globe, business large and small are starting to feel the impacts. With employees now forced to work from home or not at all, companies that have already embraced digital technologies find themselves at a major advantage.
And as worrying as these times are, they are also a huge opportunity for businesses to speed up the rate of change, ramp up their online offerings, and emerge from the corona virus lockdown stronger and more resilient than ever before.
Breaking old habits
The digital revolution might have been underway for some time now, but old habits die hard – especially in the business world. Companies keen to digitize and move more of their services online have frequently been held back by “old school” clients who prefer doing business face to face.
Now, thanks to the corona virus pandemic, there is an enormous surge in demand for all manner of services to be available remotely. While these are most certainly not the kind of circumstances anyone would want to see forcing industry’s hand, there’s no doubt that covid-19 is a massive catalyst for change.
And for companies ready to adapt to these trying times, there is enormous opportunity for growth. Let’s take a look at just some of the industries who can benefit from the habit-changing power of corona virus in the long term.
Insurance brokers, financial advisers, HR and recruitment companies:
The technology for these kinds of companies to conduct the vast majority (if not all) of their business remotely and online has been there for years. With teleconferencing platforms like Skype, Zoom, GoToMeeting and even Google Hangouts improving all the time, there are ever fewer reasons to stick with ‘business as usual’, in-person consultations, meetings and interviews.
Digitizing has innumerable benefits for these types of industries. With more staff able to work remotely, overheads like premises rental, utilities and all the associated costs of running an office space can be slashed. Those reduced costs can be passed down to customers, making your service more competitive. Unexpected benefits such as improved employee engagement and morale, and reduced staff turnover frequently follow on the heels of digitization.
And now, the covid-19 pandemic is supplying yet another reason for companies and their clients to get on board. As social distancing and self-isolation increase the public’s familiarity with online alternatives to walk-in services, more and more of your clients will become comfortable using these channels – and seeing the benefits for themselves.
For customers, the advantages of utilizing digital platforms include convenience, saved time and reduced traveling costs, among many others. On an industry level, the potential is there for more affordable services across the board, increased innovation, and widespread economic growth.
The only thing to mention, you have to be creative to find the way to move your business online. May be you need to change your offerings. Are you stuck? Contact Poly Digital Marketing multilingual marketing consulting department and we will help you to find a solution!
Education during the coronavirus pandemic:
With schools and universities across the globe closing their doors to try and curb the spread of the corona virus, educators are having to innovate quickly. Thankfully, the same technologies that allow corporates to conduct business across oceans can also be deployed to move lectures, lessons and seminars online.
This gives educational institutes a massive opportunity to expand their offering. Lectures that are being recorded and shared online can also be offered to students located in other territories. Lessons could even be transcribed and translated into multiple languages, and made available to a much broader pool of potential students – such as adult learners wanting to ‘go back to school’, or to aid countries where standards are not as good, or teachers and resources are lacking.
And once an online resource exists, there’s no real limit to how many students could be reached. This brings the dream of truly affordable education for all one giant step closer to reality. In addition, online educational resources don’t need to be limited to school or college terms, but can be made available any time of the year.
Combined with automated online exams and the ability for learners to study at their own pace from anywhere in the world, an educational revolution is possible. Universities, schools and private online course providers can take the money saved through cutting their expenses, and invest them in new courses and better marketing.
Does this sound like the kind of solution you’re looking for? We can help! Ask Poly Digital Marketing how we can take your educational institution global, coming out from the coronavirus crisis stronger and more resilient. If you are small school or kindergarden you can shift your business into online consulting to help parants during the lockdown with different educational programs for their kids. Contact us today to help your business grow!
Art Galleries and Exhibitions during the coronavirus pandemic:
The businesses which are suffering most during the Coronavirus pandemic are those that rely on walk-in customers for the majority of their income. And while restaurants may be able to shift their service towards deliveries to an extent, museums, galleries, exhibitions and artists themselves may feel powerless to adapt.
Even here, however, there are great possibilities if you know where to look! With millions of people around the world opting to work from home or self-isolate during the pandemic, virtual tours and online auctions can provide a welcome source of entertainment and distraction.
If you act swiftly to grasp this opportunity, you can take advantage of this sudden gap in the market, and perhaps even emerge a world-famous artist! Want to know how? Get in touch with Poly Digital, and we’ll guide you on every aspect of taking your offering digital – from building immersive virtual experiences to international marketing.
Retail during the coronavirus pandemic:
If your retail store has been lagging behind with online ordering and home delivery, then now is the time to act. With customers stuck at home during the corona virus quarantine, more people are shopping, browsing, and exploring new brands online than ever before.
Even if you return to normal operations once the Coronavirus threat has passed, implementing new technologies – like virtual shop assistants and AI programs to guide and advise online shoppers – will stand your retail business in good stead for years to come. You can also use this time to focus on international marketing, tapping into new territories and potentially lucrative target markets. For the small businesses as clothing shops, little 24/7 stores Poly Digital Marketing can develop online shop at the very affordable rate.
Tourism and hospitality:
From the largest airlines to the smallest bed and breakfast, every single company in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry is being hit hard by the corona virus pandemic. There’s no doubt that the sector faces incredible challenges, and that many providers, sadly, likely won’t come out the other side.
Of course, descending into panic is never the answer! If they are able to, this time presents an opportunity for businesses in the hospitality sector to address all those ‘to-do list’ items they never seem to get round to when they have guests to take care of. It’s time for a little digital housekeeping!
For example, now is a good time for…
- Strategic planning
- Research
- Business development planning
- Website development
- Content writing and SEO optimization
- Marketing planning
- Search Engine Optimization
- Multilingual translation to reach new international markets
- Putting together virtual tours, interactive content, and promotional videos
- Multilingual destination marketing
Even if you’re a very small business, polishing up your website, adding new blog posts or uploading fresh images can be done during this time at no cost. It’s important to remember that while we might not be able to see it now, there will be an end to the covid-19 pandemic – and there will still be a travel market there waiting!
Turning challenge into opportunity:
Despite the odds, Poly Digital Marketing can help you go digital and grow your business during the Covid-19 crisis. Reach out to us today, and find out how we can help your business buck the trend, and turn this crisis into a chance to grow your revenue, customer base and profits!
[…] destination marketing has become critical for businesses in the tourism industry. The impact of the coronavirus, local and nationwide lockdowns and travel restrictions around the world have dramatically shifted […]