CoronavirusMay 13 2020

Prepping for post-Covid-19

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How are you preparing for life after lockdown?

I know that for some financial advisers the coronavirus crisis has not actually meant too much disruption to working life.

Many have told me they have been able to continue working much as normal, just replacing face-to-face client meetings with Zoom or similar. In fact, some have been enjoying it.

Mortgage broker Andrew Montlake told me: “It’s been surprisingly liberating and many clients are more than happy to use Zoom, Microsoft Teams or simply talk on the phone.”

Many industries are discovering that their traditional way of working may be ready for an update

I have written a lot in recent weeks about people and businesses that are having to adapt to the changed environment we are going through.

There are lots of challenges, particularly for companies that are customer-facing. For the moment, they have to consider such things as social distancing guidelines, and the provision of PPE and sanitiser.

But what is interesting is how the changed patterns of working may affect us in the future.

Many industries are discovering that their traditional way of working may be ready for an update.

I have interviewed companies in lots of different sectors and it really is refreshing to see how they are using the lessons from lockdown to put towards a positive future.

I spoke to a digital marketing agency, for instance, that is simply not going to return to office-based working.

“It will save us around 10 per cent of our turnover and means we’ll cut down on fuel, pollution and all the other surrounding costs associated with having an office,” its boss told me.

He acknowledges that the new way of working throws up fresh challenges. For instance, he pointed out that he needs to get all the company’s workers together regularly to brainstorm fresh ideas for clients.

His solution for the future is to simply book a room in a local hotel once every two weeks for the session, followed by a staff get-together over dinner. I have really enjoyed hearing about that positive kind of thinking in our current lockdown world.

I have worked from home on and off for most of my working life and love the advantages it offers, not least being able to avoid the unpleasant commute in the mornings and evenings.

But I know that many companies have been hesitant about allowing workers the freedom to work from home.

I think some bosses worry about losing control of their staff and that they will not be diligent without regular supervision.

My answer to that is that if you cannot trust your staff, you should not be employing them.

I have also spoken to lots of people over the years who worry that they will not be able to work properly at home because of the many distractions.

But all those I know who have been forced to over the past few weeks have simply got on with it.

The truth is that for most white-collar workers, if there is work to be done, the location does not really matter.

Some people I have seen have felt it necessary to create proper-looking workspaces and home, with multiple screens, ergonomic desks and chairs, and in a space away from distractions, such as the TV or family.

Others report how important it is, they feel, to get properly dressed before starting work at home, some even still donning a tie.

That may be necessary for video meetings, but there is no real prescribed way to make a success of home working.

My advice to people has always been: do whatever makes you feel most comfortable.

But recent experience has taught me that, if you are going to be having a video meeting with a client, you should at least take the time to change out of your pyjamas or dressing gown.

My feeling is that the new way of working that so many of us have had to get used to will prove to be lasting.

Mr Montlake agreed. He said: “Face-to-face is great, but I think this represents a watershed moment and many will be happy with video meetings or telephone.”

One financial adviser’s client told me: “I’ve just had one of my regular meetings with my IFA via Microsoft Teams last week. It would have been lovely to do it in person as usual, but we covered everything we needed to.”

That gives me a sense of where we are at. I reckon more and more advice business will be conducted through video once lockdown is over.

It will save a lot of travelling time, which will make many people much more efficient and able to catch up with more clients more regularly.

But, and it is a big but, there will still need to be face-to-face meetings.

Sometimes sitting with someone is the only way to get a sense of what they are really saying, or really need, through their body language, tone of voice or other physical clues.

So while the future is likely to be much more digital, it will not ever totally replace the importance of meeting people in person.

And personal advice is the thing that is going to be much more in demand in the future.

Simon Read is a freelance journalist