DAMAGED TRUST IN HYGIENE OF PEOPLE AND PRODUCTS

With the viral nature of Covid-19, consumers and organizations are becoming much more careful about the people and products they interact with. Both people and organizations will expect formal proof of hygiene and current health status.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

This can result in packaging redesigns, sharing of personal health records and temperature, retail/ hospitality formats with free service add-ons focused on cleanliness, Preference of science forward products over ‘natural’, Contact-free deliveries and drop-offs.

EXTENDED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS, EVEN WITHIN COUNTRIES

Travel and tourism may have seen the biggest impact as an industry. Travel feels like a risk for consumers who may not be able to get back to their home, or are unsure if they’ll be covered in a foreign land should another outbreak occur.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Local tourism will flourish of course. Traveling abroad might be only worth the effort for longer extensive holidays, taking a period of quarantine into account. Potentially combining travel with remote work. The rural and remote will become luxury escapes.

OPTIMISED WORK FROM HOME SETIPS, BEYOND TYPICAL OFFICE JOBS

Home takes on a whole new meaning as individuals and families figure out new ways to balance their work-life needs within the confines of their space.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Companies tight on cash will reduce office space and infrastructure. Expect setups at home that go far beyond a second screen. People will bring in special equipment, machines, and advanced video/audio setups to accommodate this change in lifestyle. Policies and new insurances will need to follow.

RISING TENSION & CONFLICTS AT ALL LEVELS

Many organizations and people are operating in survival mode. While doing so, many might breach contracts or regulations along the way.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Google search trends already showed a spike for “Force Majeure” (superior force). Legal battles will pop-up everywhere. At the same time, lawyers are shifting to a digital way of working. This will trigger more tools to automate legal work to operate at scale.

UNPRECEDENTED LEVELS OF GLOBAL UNEMPLOYMENT

Many will be forced to rethink their career, as switching to another struggling competitor in the same industry is not even an option.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Remote reskilling and training will see a peak. At the same, many might switch to an entrepreneurial side business to boost their family budget. Both options will bring valuable experience once the economy catches on at a later moment in time.

TAKE OUT/HOME DELIVERY EVERYTHING

Many retail businesses and product distributors will need to switch to delivery and/or remote-first. Regular retail will not vaporise, but evolve.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Expect more specialized delivery solutions (e.g., drop off points for frozen/cooled food). More advanced supply chain optimizations. (e.g. multiple shops bundling deliveries to the same household or street). VR shopping and mass drone deliveries will not be a thing yet, sorry. 🙂

LIMITED CONTACT WITH OLDER GENERATIONS 

Until a vaccine is available, interaction with +65- year-old people will be severely restricted. People will need to rethink social gatherings.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

While digital adoption will be accelerated quite soon, it will be the normal day-to-day activities that will need to be redesigned. Special retail options? Tweaked ceremonies/rituals (e.g. large weddings). Rise of communities for those with special needs or of a certain age.

OUR IDENTITY IS MORE THAN OUR JOB

For many, your profession and role is a significant part of who they are. Mixing work and private life debunks this superficial layer. Only now many are getting to know their colleagues at a deeper level, 1 live stream from their bedroom at a time.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

In normal times, fashion is one element to shape and communicate your preferred identity. When there is less physical interaction, digital altering of your video interaction can partially replace this. (Notice how Twitch streamers are customizing their 'live stream room'). More experiments with digital alter egos will pop up.

THE VALUE OF CERTIFIED IMMUNE CONSUMERS

If your business model relies on packing many people in tight spaces, there is no light at the end of the tunnel (cruises, theatres, events/festivals,…)

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Rise of solo dining booths or human-free interactions (e.g. robot waiters). One way out could be the rise of a new consumer segment with an official health record to prove an immune status. Would you market only to these people? This would be uncharted territory for most industries; although it might be a good alibi to keep your eye on the adult entertainment industry. For decades they have managed the spread of HIV & STDs in their industry.