The sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic sent many companies into a period of turmoil that they are just starting to recover from now, nearly two years later. And even though the pandemic isn’t gone quite yet, the world is slowly going back to normal. In turn, new business trends and tendencies are emerging, and knowing more about them can allow companies to get off the ground once again.
In order to survive and thrive in a continuously changing landscape, business owners need to understand the latest movements and changes that are affecting business in a post-pandemic world. To that end, here are some of the biggest business trends and predictions for 2022 to be aware of:
Hybrid workplaces
Hybrid workplaces are a growing trend among businesses of all sizes. In most cases, they allow employees to choose whether they prefer in-person or remote working, or even a combination of both, as well as empowering workers to create their own schedules for optimal productivity. As the security of the future is currently affected by healthy work and home environments, employers need to take this aspect into account when considering different working models. In the process, businesses might also have to embrace their multi-generational workers who could all have different needs, demands, skillsets, and value systems.
Recruitment efforts
With the entire world being more connected than before and a higher number of individuals now choosing remote working destinations around the globe, businesses have the opportunity to expand their recruitment efforts in 2022 to be more widespread and extensive than in the past. Companies that have intentionally designed their company cultures with clearer values, norms, and purposes will likely be the most successful in attracting the best, most suitable talent in such a tight and competitive market.
Influencer marketing
Another trend businesses should know about is the power and the efficiency of influencer marketing. Online channels and social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram can allow companies of all sizes to tell their stories. This will help to raise brand awareness, boost engagement among the audience, and even create more excitement around a particular product or service. Whether they have a smaller or larger following, influencers of all kinds can help to strengthen this story and increase engagement even further. This is often done through endorsements, paid partnerships, or simply providing more relevance to a brand through mentions and stories.
Content marketing
Content marketing has arguably never lost its popularity and is one trend that is truly here to stay. Its cost-effective and time-saving benefits are only the beginning; what attracts companies the most is the broad audience they are able to reach consistently using this form of marketing. For that reason, businesses should aim to hire a professional content marketing agency for their digital needs. From strategy, SEO, and content creation to performance tracking and training, such experts will be able to deliver anything a brand might need to achieve growth and success.
Agile businesses
The ability to remain flexible and agile in terms of product development and service delivery is crucial for surviving in the industry and beating the competition, a fact that has been proven right time and time again in 2020. Apart from allowing a company to easily adapt to any unexpected circumstances, agility also allows them to establish stronger brands with a better competitive advantage. Creating a wide variety of solutions and understanding the effect these solutions will have in different scenarios and for different clients gives businesses the opportunity to offer creativity, diversity, and strategic innovation in any market.
Family values
If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s to reassess where our priorities and values lie in life. As a result, the family-first movement suddenly rose and gained recognition. Companies now must create workplaces that put their people first, or they risk losing some of their best and most efficient team members. With that in mind, it’s recommended for business owners to create a set of values, instill them in the company culture, and ensure they are followed every day. More practical solutions such as paid leave, flexible schedules, and in-office daycare might also be appreciated. Learn about more practices that employers want to implement to improve their work-life balance.
Mental health
Regardless of the type or size of the business, mental health matters in every workplace. While this has been a growing trend among younger employees for years, it will likely reach its peak in 2022. From a lack of staff and supply chain difficulties to remote working and a sudden blur between personal and professional lives, new challenges are raising employee stress levels more than ever before. That is why businesses should aim to introduce policies that address mental health, such as offering more flexibility and performing check-ins. Not only will this lead to happier and more satisfied workers, but it could also increase employee productivity, efficiency, and engagement
As the world of business continues to evolve, new trends and tendencies continue to appear as well. Even though the future might still be relatively uncertain, it’s highly likely the trends mentioned above are the most important aspects companies should expect and prepare for in 2022.
