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

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m Velocity Composites Has Announced Its Entry Into The Us Market

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m

08 Oct 2025

2

First speakers confirmed for Lancashire Business Day Dave Walker with Richard Slater at Lancashire Business Day

First speakers confirmed for Lancashire Business Day

08 Oct 2025

3

Hemmings steps down as PNE chairman as hunt begins for new investors Craig Hemmings

Hemmings steps down as PNE chairman as hunt begins for new investors

08 Oct 2025

4

Chamber calls for three council county Lancashire County Council County Hall

Chamber calls for three council county

08 Oct 2025

5

Victorian Plumbing reports strong financial performance Victorian Plumbing Leyland

Victorian Plumbing reports strong financial performance

07 Oct 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
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

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

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West
Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West event
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors, Sceptre Way, Walton Summit Centre, PR5 6AW, PR6 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Empowering franchise growth in the North West
TFA Event - Empowering Franchise Growth.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering franchise growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors Sceptre Way Walton Summit Centre , Preston, PR5 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

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 LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin