The pandemic has provided the opportunity to reimagine how organizations operate

The pandemic’s onset forced many business owners to act quickly and implement change across their organizations. While challenging, this provided the opportunity for businesses to reimagine their current workplace, including staff, and make plans for the future. For some business leaders, ideas that were mere thoughts for years became a reality overnight. Here are some ways the workplace may evolve.

Hiring top talent

Many companies will continue to work remotely for the foreseeable future, with some choosing to make it a permanent change. This shift can result in increased flexibility in the recruiting and hiring process. Business leaders can look beyond their geographical location to reach a more robust selection of skilled candidates, decreasing the hiring timeline and budget.

Businesses may also enhance their recruitment marketing efforts by tapping into online job platforms or hosting virtual hiring events to draw nationwide talent.

Company technology

The pandemic forced many companies to quickly shift to a remote workforce, increasing the need for reliable technology tools and IT support. Technology is more important than ever to continue effective communication among teams, especially as the remote work environment becomes a longer-term solution. Business leaders should work with their IT departments to ensure employees have access to a secure server and VPN software to protect company files, communications platforms, such as Microsoft Teams or Slack, and reliable video conferencing tools to use during team meetings, training or employee onboarding.

Networking efforts

Many business owners rely on networking as a critical tool to generate leads, build connections and learn from industry leaders. These efforts have not gone by the wayside. In fact, many are succeeding in the virtual world.

Professional organizations have made the switch to digital meetups, making it easy to join in for a virtual happy hour, networking event or webinar. However, when attending virtual events, it is essential to rethink what makes a good first impression. Place a conversation starter — memorabilia, art or photo — in the background and prepare to participate with thoughtful comments.

As location is no longer a barrier, business professionals may reach more people, regardless of where they live or serve. Company leaders can proactively establish and build relationships with a virtual check-in or coffee date. Virtual networking could also result in faster and stronger connections than face-toface interactions as it is more convenient to meet while everyone works remotely.

Traditional work environment

Some business owners have realized a physical location is not necessary for their business and plan to shift to an entirely remote workforce. This could cut overhead costs, improve sustainability and enhance employee work-life balance.

The shift to remote work also provides working parents with the flexibility needed to balance their child’s virtual learning experience or care. Additionally, a dispersed workforce allows business leaders to set expectations around flexible work schedules to accommodate any increased personal needs at home during the pandemic.

For businesses that do return to the workplace, leaders need to keep employee safety in mind. Beyond providing employees with sanitation products and masks, this could require a new office layout to allow for more space between employee workstations.

If more office space is needed to maintain social distance, conference rooms and gathering areas can be fitted with plastic barriers to help minimize the spread of germs. While recent trends have resulted in open-office environments, there will likely be a shift back to more private office areas to reduce workplace contact.

Workplace policies

To alleviate any concerns or feelings of uncertainty as employees return to the workplace, business leaders should take a proactive approach to address any workplace needs or policies that emerged during the pandemic. This may include updating the employee handbook with new employment legislation or regulations, remote work policies and workplace safety information.

While the pandemic brought many adjustments to the workforce, business leaders can view these changes as an opportunity to reimagine the future of their business.

Eric Cormier is manager, human resource services, for Insperity, a provider of HR and business solutions and services.