2021 and beyond: Business Predictions: Fiona Duncan-Steer, RSViP

2020 has been the year of virtual communication, with Zoom downloads increasing by 1200% within the first week of lockdown one and whilst many of us still prefer in person connection, we should accept the fact that a large percentage of our work and communication will continue to be conducted within the digital space.

Many of us this year have been thrust into the digital world, becoming pro’s at mastering Zoom and other video platforms and my prediction is that the facilitation of meetings, presentations and events online is going to become a new way of life for us all.

Many of my clients have voiced that 2020 has been the year of enlightenment for them, with the realisation that many of their staff can be trusted to work remotely, operating on flexi hours and therefore business costs have decreased and the need for large fancy Google style offices is not necessary after all. 

Whilst all this is well and good, it is important for business leaders to remember the importance of staff management at a distance, keeping team morale boosted with creative ideas and it will take twice the effort to keep client relations strengthened.  I do however see companies relooking at their overhead spend and making changes to their infrastructures and operations going forward.  More client and team meetings will be held digitally, a percentage of remote working will be introduced into the work place and the use of video platforms for marketing purposes will certainly become the norm.

To summarise, I see going forward, not only a continuation of the use of video communication platforms overall, but a boost in confidence in utilising these platforms for business growth and diversification in areas such as in-house company events, webinar delivery and training sessions, both in-house and externally.  As such I also see a new way of marketing for brands and organisations, with the integration of these aspects into marketing strategies, with budget allowances made for them.

Whatever happens, we will go back to in person interaction again- that’s a given, however now we have the added tried and tested bonus of online facilitation too- so let us embrace it!

Fiona Duncan-Steer, RSViP