Rethinking a new normal

By Mark Sykes, BDODrive

22 Jul 2020

COVID-19 remains a terrible and sad situation, and no one would ever suggest otherwise. But in a recent survey of businesses it has become clear that the majority do not want to simply return to work in exactly the same way as before.

Many businesses have accelerated change, revisited their operations, identified efficiencies and transformed their products and ways of working. As has always been the case, disasters are accelerators for change.

The biggest challenge however for many businesses is their ability to adapt, and for those that don’t want anything to have changed they need to be prepared for the disruption to buying behaviours, changes to competition and a clear migration to digital technologies.

Businesses which have adapted are already reporting benefits and accelerated thinking, but businesses refusing to adapt will face challenges and threats to their former ways of working.

The ‘new normal’ is not yet defined, but a few trends obvious from the situation are:

  1. The role of the office has changed, with remote or flexible working featuring more. Offices become a place for innovation and social interaction, but online working brings time, cost and environmental benefits which many staff will want to protect
  2. The role of the city has changed, since the office is no longer the default location, and therefore cities will be challenged with reduced footfall and increased social distancing requirements. The cities need to adapt
  3. The North has a real opportunity, since now it makes little difference whether you are servicing a client next door or in another country. The access to skills and talent which has often constrained growth, now means we have a chance to provide services around the world if we invest in skills and adapt
  4. Supply chains need revisiting, since the disruption to global supply arrangements and the repurposing of manufacturing capacity around the world is evident. Preparing contingency plans, outsourcing operations, relocating production and reducing cash tied up in supply chains is critical.
  5. Digital is here to stay, but that creates new risks and challenges. The ability to move to online working has strained technology, and many have not adjusted controls due to the urgency of the changes. Cyber threats will represent a growing risk to businesses, and economic challenges will always create increased fraud risk. Businesses need to urgently revisit their digital strategies.

The changes present new opportunities and taking time now to rethink the future will bring efficiency, optimisation and growth.

The reality is also that we still have no cure for COVID-19, we have Brexit coming, a global recession is inevitable and a long term deficit to fund the government measures to protect businesses and people will drive up taxes. Standing still is not an option.

Please contact Boost if you would like to discuss this or other support available to your business:

Enjoyed this? Read more from Mark Sykes, BDODrive

Latest news

1

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston Momentum

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston

25 Jul 2025

2

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards Ben Garland and Julia Lorente

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards

24 Jul 2025

3

Work is set to start on Multiversity project Multiversity Blackpool

Work is set to start on Multiversity project

24 Jul 2025

4

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft Typhoon production Warton

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft

23 Jul 2025

5

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C EDF Assystem

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C

22 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech
July PTC banner long updated.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin