There’s no denying the transformative impact of the pandemic on businesses.

The virus and subsequent lockdown(s) have prompted business owners in all industries to re-evaluate their ways of working.

From introducing remote and flexible working options far quicker than previously anticipated to finding ways to pivot the business entirely, business owners such as yourself have needed to adapt quickly.

As this extraordinary year draws to a close, you’ll need to make some decisions on how you’d like your workplace to look next year. The following are some things to think about when planning.

1. Take An Individual Approach To Your Collective Workforce

Every employee will have had a different experience of lockdown, and you’ll need to keep this in mind as you consider re-opening the workplace.

You may have already rolled out flexible or remote working options to accommodate government guidelines – and you may have had feedback from your employees on how they feel about the new way of working.

Take this feedback onboard as you look to 2021.

A crucial factor you may want to consider is enforcement versus choice. While it can feel more equitable to have everyone working in the same way, your employees are all individuals and what works for one may not work for another.

Giving them options rather than instructions may be more beneficial in the long run.

Keep asking for feedback regularly and adjust where needed.

2. Continue COVID Safety Measures As Long As Necessary

If your employees are required to, or would like to, work within a business premises, try to make the workplace as safe as possible for them.

You may want to continue your COVID-safe cleaning procedures next year, as well as providing sanitation stations and equipment (such as wipes, masks or disposable gloves) for employees.

This could also be a good opportunity to check your ventilation systems and test and clean specialist equipment.

3. Use This As An Opportunity To Reset Or Make Bigger Changes

If you made changes to your business due to the pandemic, you may be itching to get back to business as usual in the new year. However, why not use this transformative time to solidify bigger changes to your business?

For example, you may want to explore ways to make your office more eco-friendly, whether it’s reviewing your suppliers and switching to environmentally-friendly options, assessing your water usage and installing water-saving measures such as aerators on taps, or even adorning the space with more plants.

4. Find New And Improved Ways To Go Digital

Did lockdown force you to test-drive ways to convert your business to a more digital-based model? You may want to continue down the same path in the next year.

Consider whether there are ways to enhance your digital offering across the business to give you an edge over your competitors.

Some options include installing higher-speed WiFi at your business premises, purchasing remote-working software, training your staff on and encouraging the use of social media to promote the business, and allowing employees to work in different time zones.

5. Prioritize Employee Wellbeing And Workplace Culture

Whatever direction you’d like to move your business towards in 2021, a final point to note is that you should never underestimate the importance of workplace culture.

The way you, as their employer, reacted to the crisis will directly affect and influence how your employees behave.

Try to approach the situation with as much positivity and hope as possible. Ensure you communicate openly and transparently with your staff. Provide the support they need, encourage group activities, and prioritise employee wellbeing.

By putting your employees in the forefront of your planning, you’ll have more motivated workers that will help make your job easier and allow your business to flourish.

Hasna Haidar is a digital researcher and writer. Having covered a variety of topics for various publications, her current focus is on topics around conservation, technology, business and entrepreneurship, and social action and awareness.

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