If 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted your business plans, you’re not alone. For many businesses worldwide, the pandemic meant a sudden and prolonged shift to remote work and required companies to adapt quickly. However, businesses can learn from 2020 and make changes for 2021 to be more productive than ever.
Using – and Securing – the Cloud
Some of the biggest challenges of remote work include accessing data and collaboration. Cloud computing addresses both of these issues, allowing employees at home access to the same tools and data as those in the office. With work from home expected to continue into 2021 and beyond, embracing the cloud is essential for success.
However, putting your data in the cloud opens up your business to a higher risk of security breaches. Therefore, security must be an integral part of your cloud computing strategy from the start.
The Digital Transformation
While many businesses had plans to harness technology to their benefit in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions showed businesses how far they still had to go. By focusing on the digital transformation in 2021, you can create new, and modify old, processes to improve the way you do business.
Change your Management Strategy
When workers had to shift suddenly to remote work, they also had to juggle childcare and other responsibilities. This necessitated companies having to rethink how they evaluated and managed employee performance. An output-based strategy, which focuses on employees meeting set goals, rather than punching a time clock, has proved to be an effective strategy that you should consider embracing in 2021.
COVID-19 brought about a number of changes, forcing businesses to adapt to the new reality. By focusing on the cloud, digital transformation, and revisiting your management strategy you’ll be prepared for whatever 2021 has in store.
