Business Trends In 2022–4 Tips For Growing Companies
Can you believe it’s December already? It feels like we spent 2020 anxious for 2021, and now it’s about to be 2022! Time flies when the world is constantly changing around us. But what are you and your business doing to evolve, and keep up with these changes?
It’s adapt or die, nowadays.
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That’s why we put together this list of four points to focus on as we enter a new year, sure to help any established or growing companies. From climate change to the economy, from technology to public relations. There is a lot going on in the world, and it’s all happening at once and back to back. If you aren’t prepared, if you aren’t paying attention, you’re going to get left in the dust. And last I checked, dust doesn’t pay the bills.
So read on for valuable insight on keeping your business sustainable and future-proof.
1. GO GREEN, GET GREEN
Every business must seek out ways of reducing its environmental impact. You may not think your company or your industry is a noteworthy culprit in this regard, but you’d be surprised. It could be the vehicles you use to transport something, a particular material used to manufacture a part of your product, or even the paper needed to file your invoices.
Any way that you can eliminate or even reduce the environmental cost of doing business should be explored and implemented where viable. The age of conscious consumption is upon us. Go green now, get more green later.
2. HUMANS VS MACHINES
It doesn’t have to be a battle between the two, this isn’t a sci-fi movie. But it’s not news that society as a whole has grown to rely on technology quite a bit. Nowadays consumer experiences have become increasingly automated thanks to advancements in tech and AI.
A future-proof business will find success in a happy marriage between the human experience and the artificial one. Be that automated customer support or no-contact deliveries, there is surely room somewhere in your business model to plug in (no pun intended) helpful tech. You should be able to clearly define which roles can be automated, and which need that human touch. Don’t be afraid to embrace new technology that makes you more productive or makes the lives of your customers easier.
3. SHIFTING TALENT POOLS
There is a lot going on in the workforce right now. Like increasing acceptance of remote work, and a younger generation of workers not willing to settle. The “anti-work” movement may be something you’ve heard of, but don’t fall for the drama. Most of these people do want to work, they just want better jobs. This younger workforce wants better pay, more respect, trust, and flexibility.
The gig economy is also influencing how new professionals look at work. It’s predicted that the 9–5 will become uncommon someday, in favor of contract-style work instead. Can your business support that kind of flexibility? Are you doing everything you can to reduce turnover and increase loyalty? Do your employees feel aligned with your company’s vision? Do they respect their leaders? These are hard questions you need to be able to answer correctly.
4. AUTHENTICITY PAYS OFF
Depending on your company/product, adding a bit of humanity to your PR couldn’t hurt. Consumers these days are seeking more meaningful and honest connections with the brands they choose to do business with. They’ve become less influenced by the efforts to seem relatable that end up being transparent to the true goal; profits. Just as they’ve become less tolerant of the cold, corporate work culture at the office.
People want authenticity now.
They want companies to display more human traits in their advertising, social media efforts, and public statements. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable, and own up to your mistakes while making efforts to correct them. But also don’t be afraid to be strong, and stand up for what you believe in. If you support something your customers support, they’ll support you too.
EVOLVE OR DIE
Of course, there are a lot more factors to consider when evaluating how to make your business future-proof, but these four should be enough to get you started. The world is moving fast, changing in many different ways. And change isn’t always linear!
Sometime’s change can mean taking a whole different route, it can even mean taking a step back sometimes. The bottom line is, if you’re a business looking to stick around and grow, you need to be adaptable to these movements. You need to do the homework, weigh your options, and pay attention to what’s going on even outside of your own industry.
For example, a simple thing like implementing some form of tech automation in your product could have a cascading effect on your business. Maybe that thing eliminates the need to outsource a specific role, freeing up more budget to support the employees you really need and retain them. All while improving the customer experience and increasing profits. Imagine that? It may not be that simple for everyone, but regardless of simplicity, it will be worth it.
Evolution is rarely painless, but what doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger.
HOW VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS FIT
And I’d be remiss without mentioning again how valuable virtual assistants can be, with virtually all of these points. You can literally plug a virtual assistant into any of those topics and there’d be a clear way they can contribute to your business. They are experienced, trained, cost-effective, and reliable. Not to mention overseas, meaning they can work just about any hours you prefer. Even at night when you’re asleep! How about waking up to a job well done already?
If you want to discuss how a virtual assistant can help your company be ready for 2022, click this link to request a FREE one-on-one consultation.
