As more workers have been forced into a remote working situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they have come to realise that engagement can be a challenge. With workers no longer coming into the office every morning, finding motivation is proving to be more difficult than imagined.

As workers are faced with another day of working from their dining table or, even worse, from a laptop on their knee on the sofa, it can be difficult to get the real feel of being at work, particularly when other distractions crop up - the dog needing a walk, or toddlers demanding attention. It’s easy to see how it’s all-too-common to suffer from a lack of engagement with the work at hand

What Can Be Learned From The Pandemic About Engagement?

The term “employee engagement” is already well-known among business owners and leaders. Yet, what can the current pandemic crisis help us to learn that will still be valuable long-term?

Perhaps the most important aspect of employee engagement that has been seen during the coronavirus pandemic is the need for the maintenance of open and regular communication channels. This is especially invaluable among those who are working remotely and who need more effective and valuable interactions not only with managers but also with colleagues. Video calls, WhatsApp groups, telephone conversations, and desktop messenger apps are all now regularly being harnessed to facilitate effective communication and online face-to-face forums are now being embraced by companies everywhere in an attempt to engage with staff.

Organisation Culture and Remote Working

The culture of an organisation does not need to change because workers aren’t physically in the same room. Many social and cultural activities that form a key element of a business don’t need to come to an end but simply adapt to the new working environment. Rewarding and recognising colleagues and staff members publicly for their good work can still be done, just via video call or messenger apps instead. Virtual teams can be rewarded just as easily as physical ones when companies embrace the possibilities that technology provides.

Winning Employee Engagement

The strongest work teams are founded on trust, loyalty, and working together. Therefore, keeping teams intact and incentivised is key. It is companies that work the hardest to keep staff satisfied and secure in their jobs that will be able to reap all the benefits of a loyal staffing team. For this reason, employees need to be convinced that they are valuable to the company and that they aren’t just another number. For this reason, leadership teams need to address the worries that employees have about their emotional and physical well-being as well as about their future employment and financial stability. Leaders must be transparent and open with their plans, and this means regular empathic communication.

COVID-19 has presented a host of challenges to workplaces and business leaders everywhere, and many of the lessons about employee engagement that have been learned during this crisis must be retained and acted upon in the future. Leadership is already a valuable commodity, but strong leaders will be especially essential as we move forward. Those leaders who focus on effectively engaging their employees will be the ones whose companies stand out from the crowd and manage to attract and retain the top talent.

On 15th October, the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham will be holding an Online Business Forum about Employee Engagement. The forum will also be looking at what training is available for businesses’ staff that they can access from local providers. Join the discussion here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/online-business-forum-employee-engagement-tickets-121524660531

The global pandemic has caused a host of problems for businesses all over the world, but it has also presented some exciting new opportunities too. Depending on which sector you are operating in, you may find that there are interesting possibilities to enable you to launch a new business. If you are wondering how to go about starting up a company under the new normal, here is some helpful advice.

Think local

The coronavirus crisis presents an opportunity for you to turn local, casual customers into loyal, lifelong ones. Everyone has been spending a lot more time within their own neighbourhoods and communities, and this has led to many people recognising the importance of local businesses. This is, therefore, a great time to start up a business that is centralised in your community. Make sure that people in your business’s local area are aware that you are open and trading. Implement a “buy local” advertising campaign or consider contributing to other organisations within your own community which are working together to make a difference. If you contribute meaningfully, your community is sure to return the favour.

Give your website an overhaul

More people than ever have been shopping online during the lockdown, and the high street figures suggest that this will not change with many retailers closing physical stores to concentrate on their online business. This means you do not need to be a giant in the e-commerce sector to benefit from the online shopping upsurge, Platforms like Shopify allow businesses to rapidly set up online to sell their services and products, so setting up an e-commerce website to sell online should be a top priority now. Even companies that are not suitable for selling online can still design their website to attract a wider audience, so take this opportunity to create content that reflects the changing needs of its audience and to make sure that your website has been fully optimized for SEO.

Gaining the advantage over competitors

If you are setting up a business under the new normal, you need to harness your advantages over your competitors. You can do this by making your enterprise stand out through being an active element in the local community, by making customers feel safe, by delivering impressive customer service and by facilitating the ease with which they can purchase your products or services. The rise of Etsy based businesses has captured this market with many creative businesses using the platform to make bespoke and personalised gifts, which have rapidly increased in popularity as lockdown emoted so many missed opportunities with those people held dearest.

Improving efficiency

The pandemic has led to businesses having to go online and adapt. If you are launching a new business, you can start from a better footing. Focus on seamlessly integrating more remote working options into your business model and implement online procedures for purchasing, booking appointments, and arranging meetings from the start. 

Capitalising on fresh ideas

Many existing businesses have had to adapt to the challenges COVID-19 has thrown up, but if you are launching a business in the new normal, you can create your company around the changing needs of its customers. Consider the new problems people are facing, their new needs and wants, and determine how you can create a business that solves those problems and meets those needs. There are many new and exciting opportunities out there if you are creative and open-minded. 

There is no getting away from it, we have tried! The COVID-19 pandemic has caused chaos for business owners all over the world. While some diversified and continued, and others reopened several months ago. Some depending on the business chose or were forced to others to wait longer to start trading once more.

If your business is ready to start welcoming customers once more, you need to come up with plans to ensure your doors (metaphorically speaking) stay open consistently and effectively. This, inevitably, means navigating challenges and rethinking the ways in which your business operates. Here are six key strategies that might help.

1.Defining Your Vision

If you are thinking about restarting operations, it is feasible that your business model may look very different to how it did before. The products and services you offer may now be limited, or you may have needed to completely restructure your business. You need to reassess your operation with your customers and the economic climate at the present time in mind. This may mean drawing up a new business plan which you can rely on to give you guidance when planning for reopening.

2.Communicate Openly with your team

Even if you do not yet have a definite date when you are going to reopen your business, it is still important to communicate frequently and openly with your tea. If you have furloughed staff or sadly been forced to make redundancies you need to speak with them and let them know what you’re able to do for them, if anything, in terms of hours, pay and positions. You should also be prepared to discover some employees may not be returning for various reasons. You may need to act rapidly to fill vacancies so be ready. 

3. Remember Social Distancing

Depending on the type of business you are running, a key challenge could come in the form of social distancing. You need to design your business practice with these measures firmly in mind. By making some changes you can provide assurance to both staff and customers that you are taking all practical measures to keep them safe. Consider allowing staff to continue working from home, implement restructuring and barriers, come up with a sanitation plan and think about whether staff need to wear PPE.

4.Check in with your suppliers

Even if your business is ready for reopening, your suppliers might not yet be operating at full capacity and so waiting times for deliveries could be an issue. Work out the sizes, dates, and items for each order you are going to need while you ramp up your operations once more and contact each supplier to confirm they can still fill your orders. Do not overlook new items you may need like hand sanitiser and PPE. You may have to find new suppliers to supply these for you but ensure you look for the best price. 

5.Build up publicity

Although it is important to keep your costs down currently, you still need to retain some publicity and marketing budget. Creating more awareness about your reopening may be vital to your success, however, to achieve this you will need resources and time, so come up with a plan now so your customers are aware of your reopening timeline. If you have changed your working times, then make sure customers know that you have changed your opening times to facilitate your staff not travelling during peak times etc. We can all play our part in keeping the number of cases of COVID-19 under control. 

6. Stay Flexible and Pro-active 

The times today are unprecedented, and that means you are bound to face some unforeseen challenges and difficulties as your business reopens. This means that staying flexible is paramount. You need to be ready to adapt and adjust as challenges arise and situations change. Approach reopening with this firmly in mind and you will have the best chance of negotiating the changing business landscape during this crisis successfully. Remember proactive is always better than reactive!

If there is one thing that the world of business and enterprise is going to take forward it’s the new normal of living with Covid-19 and the possibilities and potential of remote working. Suddenly, jobs that employers said could never be done outside the office have now made the transition to the home. This is a trend that is almost certainly set to continue whilst the reality of further lockdowns and the new normal of living with Covid-19 exists. Employers and employees alike realise that more flexible working patterns are the key to a more successful future and a more motivated workforce. Coworking spaces give remote workers the opportunity to work locally at an affordable price, and this is something that is especially attractive to new start-ups who need to keep their overheads low. There are five key reasons why coworking spaces are going to be so important in the weeks and months to come. 

1.A Community Hub

In the midst of the current COVID-19 world, there will almost certainly be a drive to launch more new start-ups to give the economy a much-needed boost. Yet, those start-ups are going to need strong local connections and social networks to gain a footing in the damaged marketplace. Community strength will be a vital component in helping entrepreneurs to reconnect, to build up new networks, and to support each other and coworking spaces can help with this, as a community hub that will help start-ups to spring up and thrive in the wave of the crisis.

2.Greater Flexibility

Coworking spaces can give new start-ups the flexibility that they need in the early days of their operation. There are many types of membership plans to choose from, so there is no need to be tied into a long lease which may not be appropriate.

3.Affordability – the case for Barking

Traditional office spaces are expensive, especially in the city. However, coworking spaces in outer London such as ours; are considerably more affordable which makes them the perfect option for a new start-up with a limited budget and a need to keep costs low. The case for outer London is being made no more travel to Zone 1 meetings as the world has gone online and therefore the cheaper membership works for most start-ups.

4.Excellent Amenities

Start-ups often lack the money to invest in the essentials to keep their operation running smoothly. Coworking spaces can plug this gap thanks to the impressive amenities that they provide. Included in the cost is a suitable workspace with unlimited access, reliable high-speed wi-fi, conference rooms, fridges, printing access, and much more. Tea and coffee on tap so need to frequent your favourite coffee shop and let’s be honest saving you at least £10 per day. When starting a new business, the focus should be on getting it up and running successfully rather than on running an office, and this is another reason why coworking spaces are such a good choice for new start-ups, allowing you to keep the focus on running and developing the business without worrying about the budget.

5.Dealing with isolation fatigue

COVID-19 and the social distancing messages it has necessitated have caused a host of issues, but perhaps one of the most overlooked is likely to be mental health issues. For those who are starting up a new business on their own, the idea of doing it at home and subjecting themselves to further isolation may feel impossible. Coworking spaces can, once again, come to the rescue, offering suitable spaces for sole traders to begin their new enterprise surrounded by other entrepreneurs in a socially distanced way who are all sharing an effective community space and bringing a social element into what can be a lonely career path. 

Hot desking in the new normal

It’s easy to see why coworking spaces were popular before March 2020 and there is definitely a case that they will return to being the best option as more people seize the opportunity that remote working and flexibility have to offer. Joining a coworking space offers those starting up a new business to keep their costs low, build a network efficiently and become more productive in what is likely to be a challenging business environment.

We at the BEC have taken seriously our duty to ensure that social distancing remains in place we have dedicated another room to hot-desking, meaning we can ensure that guests who hot desk with us do not have their safety compromised. In fact, all of our buildings are marked out with sanitizer stations on every floor. We are not working in a post-Covid-19 world, we are embracing the changes it has forced us to make and recognise they are here for some time.

The new normal of coping in an uncertain COVID-19 climate could still be just the right time to start up a business. There will be a strong demand for companies to launch to buoy up the floundering economy, while the population, tired of being restricted for so long, will be willing to stretch their spending power. However, if you are ready to start up your enterprise, the question you may need to answer is whether to use a coworking space as your base. 

Communal workspaces have popped up nationwide, and have proven to be popular, especially amongst entrepreneurs who want to reduce their overheads while benefiting from a fully-furnished, well-equipped office space that gives them the flexibility that they need in the early days of their business operation. 

While you may once have considered working from home, having to socially distance or self-isolate for so long during this pandemic may have made that idea less appealing than it used to be. Plus, strong networking links will be more important than ever before if businesses are to get off the ground in the challenging economy that is sure to present itself once the crisis is on its way out.

Of course, coworking spaces are not for everyone, so let us look at some of the reasons that you might want to bear in mind. 

Pandemic Concerns

Good coworking space operators are up and running with all the measures in place to keep guests safe and well, visit the building and check out the public area protocols and the plans of the space before signing an agreement.

Weigh up the Benefits

Coworking spaces give you the resources you need to kickstart your new business while also giving you the social and networking elements that are so valuable to sole traders and small business owners. Working at home is often distracting and daunting, but using a coworking space can help you to feel part of a community while also adding more legitimacy to your new company and giving you the amenities you require to get established in your industry.

Will your business thrive on flexibility?

With a coworking space, portability and flexibility are key. If your work needs lots of equipment or storage, a private office may be a better option for you. However, if your work is mostly done on your laptop, you will be a good fit for a communal workspace. Every coworking space is different, with a range of options to meet your needs. Whether you only need a simple cubicle to set up your laptop and access to a meeting room where you can meet with clients, or whether you need a more conventional private office, there’s sure to be a communal workspace to suit your budget and your requirements. 

What Is Your Vibe?

The key is to find a good fit for your own outlook. All coworking spaces have their own culture and vibe. You need to make sure you have found a good fit for you. Are you looking for something basic and simple where you can focus on the task in hand and be as productive as possible? Or are you looking for a social experience with a communal break room, an upbeat atmosphere, and a thriving community spirit? Then make sure you have chosen a space that works for you.

Coworking in an uncertain Covid-19 world

Although we are all living in troubled times at the moment, it’s a good opportunity to look forward to how you can exploit your full entrepreneurial potential whilst understanding the landscape of the aftermath of the first wave and preparing for the threat of a second. By planning and deciding whether you would benefit from using a coworking space, you will be ready to hit the ground running.

If there’s one thing that we know for certain it’s that COVID-19 has changed the traditional office beyond all recognition. Now that organisations are considering all of the possibilities when it comes to their teams returning to work, it’s time to look for ways to prepare the classic office environment for this new normal.

Here are just a few of the strategies that are now being put into practice.

Remote Working

Back in May, Twitter and Facebook made an announcement that most of their employees would now be eligible to work from home without needing to come into a physical office. While remote working isn’t a new idea, the decision made by these social media giants has served to highlight the speed at which corporate concepts about remote working have changed. Many companies have already decided to permit their workers to work from home until the end of the year and this not only reduces the risk of disease transmission in the workplace but also helps employees to enjoy better work/life balance. By saving time on commuting and spending more time with loved ones, it’s no wonder that studies have shown that over 80% of workers feel less stressed when they’re allowed to work remotely.

A Rotating Schedule

The traditional office traditionally places as many workers as possible into the smallest of spaces and this isn’t safe during the pandemic. A lot of companies have now introduced a rotating schedule allowing some employees into the office one day and others the next, with remote working in between.

Cloud Communication Strategies

COVID-19 has seen the rise of cloud communication technology, with the Zoom meeting becoming a universal phenomenon. Now that more companies are adopting remote and flexible working policies as a way of keeping employees safe, these communication systems are becoming even more widespread and integrated into the function of the office. This means that workers at home and in the office can all collaborate on projects with no risk to health.

Reconfigured Spaces

Even when offices are reopening fully, they don’t look the same in the new normal. Office configurations are changing for employee safety and social distancing. Desks are now more spaced out, cubicles are making a comeback and there is more limited access to break rooms and bathrooms. Lifts now have reduced access and even PPE is being worn in some spaces. Hallways have been made one-way systems, meeting rooms are being closed off, temperature checks are being introduced and hand sanitiser dispensers can be seen at strategic points. All of these strategies are being put in place to ensure worker safety and compliance with COVID-19-safe practices. 

Preparing Your Office

If you’re running a business and need to ensure your workspace is safe for your employees, these are just some of the strategies that you can adopt to keep your workers protected from the virus. By implementing a few simple measures and harnessing the power of cloud communication along with remote working, teams can remain safe at all times while still ensuring your business remains profitable.

If you are looking to downsize don’t forget to talk to us here at the BEC.

All businesses begin with an idea. Whether you’re dreaming of a new service or a brand-new product, inspiration is your starting point. However, your business idea can only be brought to life with a source of funding. Creating a successful business doesn’t just take vision, it requires research, discipline, planning, and, of course, money. So, how do you know if your business idea can get funding? Here are some steps for you to take.

Finding a mentor

When you’re asking for money to fund your business idea, it’s only natural for people to be skeptical. They need proof your business idea is a viable one. This is why you should find a mentor. An experienced mentor will be able to tell you truthfully whether your concept is likely to work. This stops you from wasting time and helps you to see the way forward clearly. Start meeting people and networking at local events so you can connect with the right mentor for you. Many entrepreneurs are more than happy to share their advice and experiences, so make those connections!

Carry out market research

One especially challenging step in making your idea into a successful business is finding a target market. You can do this by carrying out market research and by asking who you’re targeting as well as whether people are actually interested in what you have to offer. Survey customers, test focus groups, carry out interviews, use social media polls, and observe data via platforms such as Google Analytics.

Work out your funding requirements & create your business plan

While you’re carrying out your research, you’ll begin to understand how much investment you require to get your project off the ground. Before seeking funding, you need to take different factors into account and your mentor may be able to assist with this. Drawing up your business plan will then help you to demonstrate to potential investors how you plan to use their money to start your business.

Generating your funding

Finally, you’re ready to get funding for your business. There are several options here, from angel investment and crowdfunding to traditional business loans. Each comes with its own advantages and disadvantages and knowing how to attract an investor is a key step. Begin by discussing your business within your network of contacts. Prepare a formal pitch so that you’re ready for meetings with any potential investors.

Follow these steps in order to make sure you’re not wasting your time and that you have everything in place to give your business the best chance of securing the funding it needs to get off the ground. With the right approach and a mentor on board, you can get a clear idea of whether funding will be possible for your project and then you’ll have the right advice to make sure you present your idea in the right way to potential investors to secure the money you require to launch your enterprise.

Launching any new business venture can be a challenge, but with a co-founder on board, the way ahead can be smoother and easier. Nevertheless, you need to ensure you have chosen the right person to co-found your company, otherwise, the entire project could end up as a disaster.

You must avoid anyone who could tarnish your reputation, set different goals to yours, or have a differing work ethic. Also, since choosing a co-found will mean not only sharing the responsibilities of running the business, but also dividing up the rewards, it’s vital to ensure that you’re making the right selection. So, with this in mind, here are some expert tips to get you started.

Key features of a co-founder

Many people launching an enterprise choose a co-found that they’re already familiar with and with whom they know they can work successfully. Having good chemistry means it’s possible to focus all your energies on your customers instead of on your company’s internal dynamics.

Your ideal co-founder should usually be working in the same sector as you or at the very least know your market and if they have already launched a business in the past, this is a bonus. However, their skills should complement your own as this will allow you to cover several bases.

Values and professional drive also matter. You need a co-founder with similar work ethics to you or you’re set for disaster. Both founders must share their passion for the business as this will ensure they can overcome adversity successfully.

What should be avoided in your Co-Founder?

If your potential co-founder has previously broken unfavourably with their business partners, this is a red flag. You should also avoid anyone who seeks the solo -spotlight, who may be liberal with the truth or does not consider the long-term impacts of their actions. Integrity and trust are crucial elements.

A co-founder who lacks depth of knowledge when it comes to your start-up’s industry should also be avoided. Ideally, they should be investing their money and time in a business they’re passionate about – if they prefer to remain uninvolved financially, this suggests they’ll take risks with your money.

Where can a co-founder be located?

Try to find your co-founder from amongst your existing business network. If you don’t already have a suitable candidate within your contacts, get networking. Join events, get introduced to new people, and post on social media platforms. There are many ways to find suitable potential co-founders when you know where to look for them. Don’t be afraid to consider people with different strategic visions and diverse backgrounds. Diversity makes your business strong, so pay it some attention.

Getting the decision right

Although it can be difficult to choose a suitable co-founder for your new enterprise, when you get that choice right, you can set your business on the course for great success. Follow these expert tips and you’ll be sure to give your company the best possible chance to thrive and to become the success story that you always dreamed that it could be.

The world has joined forces to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, but when it comes to businesses, there has been one major difference – customer relationships. Now that the new normal is being introduced, how will businesses have to change the way they relate to their customers? 

With a more negative growth outlook for businesses paired with increased customer anxiety, it isn’t too surprising that questions are being raised as to the sustainability and effectiveness of current customer service models. So, how can organisations prepare and what can they expect in the future?

Customer behaviours are changing

Since the start of the pandemic, we have seen several changes in customer behaviour. These are set to continue, at least in the near future. 

Customers have been led primarily by anxiety throughout this crisis and are looking for companies to manage continuity of their services in a safe yet efficient way. Now that we are in the recovery phase, customers are still cautious and are looking for a return to normalcy while still remaining protected. As we move forward into the new normal, customers are increasingly looking for comfort and for a return to old pleasures, but businesses still need to keep staff and customers safe without damaging customer relationships.

How can companies cater to these changing behaviours and relationships? Some strategies that are being employed are outlined here.

Virtual as standard

In the new normal, virtual is no longer going to be a choice but instead, a default practice. Customer relationships must move into the online sphere with remote access to services that supply an anywhere, anytime model to customers.

Avoiding disengagement

Remote access doesn’t mean that customers should feel disengaged from a brand. Companies must develop outreach programs for customers as well as continuous and consistent communication of the brand’s values and accessibility throughout this difficult time.

Empathy for customers

Organisations which respond empathetically to customers are more likely to win their trust and their loyalty. By offering rewards like free services and waivers and customer engagement activities such as virtual social engagement and gamification, companies can continue to provide effective services for customers and build up positive relationships despite the pandemic and its impact on enterprise. 

Preparing for the new normal

Although it’s a challenge to prepare for the new normal and how it will affect customer relationships, it’s something that every company is facing. By reimagining your business processes and your operating model now, it’s possible to impress customers by your response to the crisis and by your excellent customer service in the face of adversity.

By focusing on the management of customers in this uncertain time you can benefit your organisation exponentially. By providing seamless continuity of service to your customers you can continue to enable brand connection and boost customer loyalty. Every opportunity should be seized in business, and even this global pandemic can be harnessed to create key customer moments. So put the interests of the customer first and begin leading the way with your brand into the new normal, fostering positive customer relationships despite the crisis.

If there’s one thing that we can take for granted it’s that change is life’s only constant! Yet, the COVID-19 pandemic has still caused a lot of disturbance for businesses around the world, and finding ways to cope with the new normal that is now beginning to emerge is going to present a host of challenges. Coming up with a survival plan is imperative. So, here are a few strategies that you can adopt to ensure your business remains profitable and relevant, despite the current crisis.

Survival Plan Step 1 - Examine Your Situation

The first stage of your survival plan is to know exactly where your business stands. Examine your current business situation. Balance the books, review and update your budgets, and produce a year-to-date financial statement. Look at your accounts receivables again too and evaluate which customers are likely to pay all or some of the amounts that they owe so your business’s collection activities can be properly prioritised. Also, consider any funding sources that could be tapped without penalty that may assist your company in meeting its financial obligations. You may be able to generate cash immediately by selling supplies, equipment or inventory that is no longer required. Alternatively, contacting your landlord and other creditors whenever applicable to talk about possible deferments and modifications could be another useful course of action now. There may even be loan programs or grants offered by private or public bodies to assist companies like yours that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. Make sure to check those out so you can maximise your financial resources. 

Survival Plan Step 2 – Revisit Your Business Model

Once you’ve examined your business situation, you may realise that there are some changes to be made in your business model. Now is the time to look at it again and think about the four Ps – Product, place, promotions, and pricing. You may need to refresh your branding to reflect a different focus, develop an understanding of coronavirus and industry-related regulations, lease provisions and insurance requirements, and take on board the feedback of stakeholders and other professionals to ensure that your business model is up to the challenges that face it in the new normal situation.

Survival Plan Step 3 – Determine All the Details

While you’re creating an action plan for relaunching your business, you need to prioritise tasks then group them across a timeline in stages. Think about which resources you have, which resources you need, and the timescale within which you need them. Next, develop a forecast of revenue and expenses on a monthly basis to show what you believe cash flow is likely to look like over the next year once your revised and revisited business model is in place. With these projections, you’ll be able to determine whether any outside finance is required, and which communications and marketing metrics and tactics are most likely to aid your success.

Follow these three survival plan steps and your business will be well-set to cope with the challenges that the new normal is likely to present over the next few weeks and months.