Over two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, most countries are switching to an endemic approach. As the mutating virus appears to become more transmissible yet less severe and vaccination rates provide a measure of protection for hospital systems, the world is beginning to look more similar to pre-pandemic times. 

Despite these positive developments, COVID-19’s legacy on business persists today in some ways. The following five tips will help you adapt your business due to COVID-19 in ways that are relevant to 2022 and beyond. 

Hybrid work schedules

The initial shift to working from home in 2020 caused concern in businesses. Would employees work as productively and effectively as they did in the office? In those first weeks, there was plenty of talk about how important it was to get employees back in the office as soon as possible.

As time went on and work-from-home orders continued within many fields and jurisdictions, employers began to realize that most employees were just as (if not more) productive working from home as they were in the office. 

Going forward, employees can continue remote work regardless of whether the virus remains a public health threat. Many companies are considering employing a hybrid work schedule, wherein employees are required to come into the office two to three days per week and work from home for the rest. 

Business travel safety procedures

Domestic and international travel will remain a concern for many businesses. While much collaboration across borders can now be done virtually, sometimes travel is still required.

To protect both your business and your employees, it is essential to continue to follow safety procedures. Require employees to visit covid testing locations in advance of leaving home and before returning. You’ll also need to be flexible about rescheduling the travel plans of employees who develop symptoms. 

Shift to e-commerce

Regardless of the reasons online shopping has become popular, it’s here to stay. Businesses that did not have an e-commerce platform before the pandemic found their sales plummeting and their management scrambling. 

In the event of another pandemic, e-commerce platforms that offer free shipping and returns and curbside pick-up will be essential to keeping business afloat. E-commerce stores can also reach a much larger audience, making them beneficial in non-pandemic times too. 

Improve remote work technology

Though platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom have made remote work possible, they have their limitations – particularly when it comes to collaboration.

Collaborating with team members is not easily done remotely, but it is possible. If you plan to continue offering remote or hybrid work schedules to your employees, it’s time to invest in better collaborative software to help your team thrive and grow. 

Diversify your products and services

As the pandemic turned from weeks to months, and from months to years, some businesses found their profits increasing (cough, cough – Amazon) and others found themselves going under. 

While you can’t plan for every situation, you can protect yourself to the best of your ability by diversifying your products and services. By having more than just one of these, you’ll increase your ability to adapt in the case that it no longer brings in any profits.