Frances Lee
VP Operations and Business Development

The Future of Work Post COVID-19

May 12, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has caused huge disruption to many companies and their workforces, forcing businesses to have employees to work from home, invest in new technology and software, and learn how to communicate and work in an entirely different way. But, what if this is a positive thing? What will we learn? What will the new normal be? Here are my thoughts:

Trust.
Prior to the onset of the coronavirus, many companies were resistant to letting employees work from home before the arrival of coronavirus, but some allowed remote work one day per week. Given the shutdown of everything non-essential and the inability to physically be in the office, leaders have had no choice but to trust in their employees to get tasks done without being closely monitored. We’ve been slowly moving towards a more digital way of working, but the current WFH (Work From Home) has accelerated it, allowing many employers to see how productive their workforce is.

Respect is key — respecting employees enough to trust they will meet deadlines and get work done leads to mutual respect and a team of employees who want to get things done if they are trusted to do so. Some employees may also gain a higher sense of accountability.

Flexibility.
We are all different, so how can we all have the same routine day in and day out? Some of us enjoy working out in the morning, some in the middle of the day. Some of us are more productive in the evenings, some in the morning. For so long, employees have just followed what they feel that they are supposed to do, commute into a city via public transport or drive to work, perhaps get a coffee on the way, eat breakfast at their desk before they begin their day, squeeze a workout in before or after work, eat dinner, go to bed. Anything outside of that was alien to them. However, this period has allowed people to create their own routines which work best and more catered for the individual. I think that employers should embrace individuality and respect their employees’ unique needs. Not only will this benefit the employee, but it will also benefit the employer, their workforce will work in the way that they are most efficient.

Innovation.
The coronavirus pandemic brings with it extraordinary challenges. The most innovative solutions often arise in the face of the greatest constraints, and we will not return to ‘business as usual’ for some time. Companies are being forced into new ways of thinking, learning new technologies, and fresh perspectives. We will learn a great amount during this time, allow for more creativity, and improve problem-solving. Board meetings and brainstorms are often dominated by the more extroverted personalities. Those more introverted individuals tend to lack the confidence to speak up and let bigger personalities hold the conversation. We are having to find new ways of brainstorming, perhaps via online communication platforms like Zoom or Skype, or encouraging all staff to send their ideas via email. Perhaps this will be a time for everyone to be able to share new thoughts and ideas, allowing for fresh perspectives, expanded levels of creativity, and more diversity.

Since its inception in 2008, MGP has been a 100% virtual PR firm with a distributed team in the US and Europe who all work from home. Of course, for some companies, a fully remote workforce is not sustainable, and many individuals like to go to a physical workplace. But whether it’s more flexibility in how you work, a better company culture, or deeper compassion towards peers, the future will be bright. Tomorrow will be improved by the struggles we are facing today.

Frances Lee
VP Operations and Business Development

The Future of Work Post COVID-19

May 12, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has caused huge disruption to many companies and their workforces, forcing businesses to have employees to work from home, invest in new technology and software, and learn how to communicate and work in an entirely different way. But, what if this is a positive thing? What will we learn? What will the new normal be? Here are my thoughts:

Trust.
Prior to the onset of the coronavirus, many companies were resistant to letting employees work from home before the arrival of coronavirus, but some allowed remote work one day per week. Given the shutdown of everything non-essential and the inability to physically be in the office, leaders have had no choice but to trust in their employees to get tasks done without being closely monitored. We’ve been slowly moving towards a more digital way of working, but the current WFH (Work From Home) has accelerated it, allowing many employers to see how productive their workforce is.

Respect is key — respecting employees enough to trust they will meet deadlines and get work done leads to mutual respect and a team of employees who want to get things done if they are trusted to do so. Some employees may also gain a higher sense of accountability.

Flexibility.
We are all different, so how can we all have the same routine day in and day out? Some of us enjoy working out in the morning, some in the middle of the day. Some of us are more productive in the evenings, some in the morning. For so long, employees have just followed what they feel that they are supposed to do, commute into a city via public transport or drive to work, perhaps get a coffee on the way, eat breakfast at their desk before they begin their day, squeeze a workout in before or after work, eat dinner, go to bed. Anything outside of that was alien to them. However, this period has allowed people to create their own routines which work best and more catered for the individual. I think that employers should embrace individuality and respect their employees’ unique needs. Not only will this benefit the employee, but it will also benefit the employer, their workforce will work in the way that they are most efficient.

Innovation.
The coronavirus pandemic brings with it extraordinary challenges. The most innovative solutions often arise in the face of the greatest constraints, and we will not return to ‘business as usual’ for some time. Companies are being forced into new ways of thinking, learning new technologies, and fresh perspectives. We will learn a great amount during this time, allow for more creativity, and improve problem-solving. Board meetings and brainstorms are often dominated by the more extroverted personalities. Those more introverted individuals tend to lack the confidence to speak up and let bigger personalities hold the conversation. We are having to find new ways of brainstorming, perhaps via online communication platforms like Zoom or Skype, or encouraging all staff to send their ideas via email. Perhaps this will be a time for everyone to be able to share new thoughts and ideas, allowing for fresh perspectives, expanded levels of creativity, and more diversity.

Since its inception in 2008, MGP has been a 100% virtual PR firm with a distributed team in the US and Europe who all work from home. Of course, for some companies, a fully remote workforce is not sustainable, and many individuals like to go to a physical workplace. But whether it’s more flexibility in how you work, a better company culture, or deeper compassion towards peers, the future will be bright. Tomorrow will be improved by the struggles we are facing today.