Is the Future of Business Virtual?

We’re used to digital interaction gradually replacing our usual physical interactions because we’ve had social media for some years now and smartphones have become highly accessible for the majority of the world. We consume more digital content than ever through various devices and the standard one screen family home is a distant memory. Now though, we also have to look at how coronavirus and subsequent lockdown protocols have accelerated a trend which was already picking up steam. 

Due to social distancing rules, many workplaces have shut down partly or entirely. As such, work forces are utilising digital communications including virtual conferencing in record numbers to replace their ability to convene in person. As the lockdowns continue, more and more businesses are recognising the benefits of allowing and promoting mobile or remote working for their teams. At the same time, the workforces themselves are discovering a life without the regular daily commute and are subsequently also closer to their families. It is hard to picture a world post-coronavirus in which we don’t see a huge surge in the amount of mobile working and home-based employment options. 

Zoom’s virtual conferencing software has seen an insane rise in use to the extent that Google and Microsoft have adjusted their more clunky offerings to compete. Meetings are being conducted online and cloud-based document sharing and editing software is also seeing record use. Given the need for adaption which has been forced by corona, we’re even seeing surges in other digital and virtual services. An Escape Room brand in the UK has adapted their service during quarantine to offer virtual services in which an avatar plays the game physically for you as you guide it from the comfort of your own home for example. Add to this the huge popularity of online food ordering and delivery services like Uber Eats and Deliveroo and it’s possible to go weeks without leaving your home for either work or leisure. 

Whether you’re ready for it or not, the world has taken a significant step towards digital dependence which is very likely to linger and drastically change the way we work, do business and even consume entertainment.