How to leverage technology to re-open and rebuild business

How to leverage technology to re-open and rebuild business

The COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses of all sizes to temporarily close or operate from remote locations, which has significantly impacted the nation’s economy. Across the country, businesses have started to reopen with a variety of different restrictions in place, depending on physical location and industry served. Companies are trying to balance concerns for employee health and the need to generate financial profits to remain viable.

As your company reopens, consider a variety of initiatives such as assessing a shift in business strategy because of the pandemic, rehiring former employees impacted by the crisis, ensuring office sanitization for employee peace of mind, and communicating reopening plans to customers and prospects. Many if not most companies will continue to utilize some configuration of employees working remotely.

In developing a reopening strategy, businesses that have made a concerted effort to leverage technology will be better positioned for success not only in the near-term but also beyond the current crisis. As the healthcare industry continues to learn more about COVID-19, businesses may need to alternate between rebuilding and retreating to protect the health of employees and customers.

#1. Streamline workplace communication

Your company can utilize business communication applications such as Microsoft Teams and RingCentral to improve workplace cooperation. For instance, use Teams to organize discussions within a department or across functions. RingCentral’s video conferencing application, meanwhile, simplifies scheduling and conducting face-to-face meetings. With unified communication tools, collaboration among team members and departments can be seamless, which is especially critical during this unprecedented time of managing remotely.

#2. Make the most of innovations

Traditional ways of doing things may no longer be feasible in the new normal, so business owners must make the most of available innovations. COVID-19 should be considered an accelerator rather than disruptor, as companies are working at a faster pace to implement solutions that prior market forces had not created the sense of urgency to adopt.

The stay-at-home economy has accelerated a shift to digitized transactions that will likely seal the fate of off-line competition. For instance, restaurants and grocery stores have expanded partnerships with food delivery services to reach customers hesitant to dine out. Brick-and-mortar retailers have embraced shop streaming and digital retailing platforms to reach consumers. Chatbots and other humanlike information assistance have been deployed by call centers struggling to remain staffed. Digital health, or remote telemedicine, will likely become mainstream, with virtual consultations replacing the routine visit to the doctor’s office. Fintech service companies are quickly reinventing digital payment systems to avoid the physical exchange of currency for product.

#3. Create an effective remote work setup

While some employees have returned to the office, others have remained productive in a remote work capacity. To keep business running smoothly, strengthen the remote work business model because there are no guarantees of a “return to normal” environment. COVID-19 is constantly evolving the framework of how people live and work, with changes that will outlast the pandemic.

Businesses adopting a scientific approach to understanding human behavior with tools like those offered by The Predictive Index will operate with an advantage in the post-pandemic society. Predicting employee behavioral drives in office or remote locations empowers managers to build talented teams and coach individuals to optimize performance.

Review the overall infrastructure of technology that supports the business and adjust as necessary to enhance productivity. For example, implement a Cloud-based strategy applicable to your business requirements. Employees should be able to access files and programs regardless of work location. Consider deploying an outsourced help desk of technicians familiar with the requirements to support hardware and software needs of remote work.

#4. Review your cybersecurity policies

Cybercriminals have taken advantage of the pandemic by deploying COVID-19-themed phishing scams. They continue to send fraudulent messages that peddle vaccines, drugs, or in-demand household items. Because of the situational urgency associated with the fraudulent messages, many people mistakenly fell for the scams and clicked on nefarious links. Educate remote workers about the cybersecurity risks of working from home, such as hacking and malware attacks.

Review your cybersecurity policies to minimize risk posed by cyberthreats. Patch all devices used by staff members (including remote workers) to prevent hackers from exploiting vulnerabilities in systems and stealing data. Require employees to develop strong passwords and use multi-factor authentication to ensure account security. Partner with an expert to search and report on Dark Web exposure related to company domains.

#5. Cut unnecessary overhead costs

Review one-time-purchase software and evaluate if the business is able to reduce costs by using Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions. These are based on a monthly or annual subscription, with licenses that can be increased or decreased depending on the changing needs of your business. Microsoft 365 is an ideal platform to consider for any business model.

You can also partner with managed IT services providers such as Roebuck Technologies for cost-effective, powerful technology support. Not only will we protect your IT infrastructure from cyberthreats, but we can also act as a remote in-house IT team that costs less than a full-time IT staff. We will help your business leverage practical technology applications so your business can operate optimally.

Get proactive business IT support with Roebuck Technologies. We provide remote monitoring and management solutions that ensure optimal efficiency and productivity. Servicing businesses in Florida and around the country, we can help you reach your goals. Call us and get the Roebuck advantage today.


Doug Coleman

Doug Coleman

Chief Operating Officer

Doug possesses over 20 years of expertise in corporate finance, information systems, logistics, supply chain management and competitive strategies. He has served in executive management not only for The Roebuck Group, but also Commercial Carrier Corporation, a nationwide transportation and logistics provider. Additionally, he served in senior management at Vology, a global value-added reseller of technology solutions. Doug earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Florida as well as a Juris Doctorate degree from Stetson University College of Law.