...patience, resilience, creativity, and courage were more in order.
Two years. It seems fitting that the traditional second-year anniversary gift is cotton since metaphorically speaking, it is a symbol of comfort, strength, and the snuggling in with a new partner. But to snuggle in with Covid, our two-year pandemic partner, patience, resilience, creativity, and courage were more in order.
Two years of life with Covid have given many people far too many challenges such as job losses, personal finance reductions, cancellations of important celebratory events, schooling at all levels horribly disrupted. Yet somehow, even though things and situations might have changed, so many took those challenges and pushed on. Kudos to that.
Yes, the unintended consequences of Covid.
Who would have ever thought the fabric of our lives would forever be so changed? And being a “I see the cup as half full” kind of person, in all sorts of positive ways.
So, let us snuggle in, and recognize those unintended consequences. Here are some of the highlights on my two-year anniversary list.
Stress Relief Leading to Wellness Initiatives
Early on, when the going got tough, the tough got baking as a comforting, healthy distraction. Baking bread gave a sense of control, a productive form of self-expression, and a host of psychological benefits both to those kneading and needing stress relief.
In some ways the baking of bread for wellness, led one-by-one by scores of individuals, has prompted the reawakening of the need for wellness support more broadly with many companies now exploring and implementing these initiatives for their employees. Wellness initiatives, a definite keep.
Combatting the Great Resignation with Demonstrations of Commitment
2020’s shortages of yeast and other ingredients to bake that bread, are now metaphorically translating into shortages of people to fill open positions caused by the great resignation. The belief in a better balance between personal and professional life did lead, and continues to tempt many, to leave their jobs. And, in turn, has led companies to reevaluate and self-reflect on their interactions with their employee base.
Importantly, corporate self-reflection has included an enhanced willingness to pay attention to each individual and their needs and, most importantly, be there for them. This reaction to the great resignation is a win-win — with companies now helping employees avoid undue stress, demonstrating a culture of commitment, while also minimizing costly attrition. Demonstrations of commitment, a definite keep.
Reengagement With the Local Community
Pre-pandemic, when we worked downtown, we ran errands downtown. When we commuted, we made detours to do what we needed to do. Working from home has meant adjusting to being at home and for many that has included supporting the local business community, shopping at a local retailer, or dining at a neighborhood restaurant.
While by no means are things back to normal for the small business community, government funding measures are still helping to keep many afloat, those small businesses that worked to make it safe and comfortable for their customers and employees alike continue to see a comeback. As we edge back into our away offices, hopefully this continues. Live local, spend local. Also, a keeper.
Bringing the Indoors Out and the Outdoors Out
For the last two years, going out quite literally meant being outside. Pandemic era al fresco dining has helped to redefine what it means to eat out even in areas with colder weather. Those outdoor cafes, sheds, and bubbles, many equipped with heaters and piped in music — gave a real option for diners uncomfortable with indoor tables — on a near, year-round basis.
Open Streets programs, like those in New York City, where streets were closed off to traffic to allow for safe playtime or an outside table for two on a formerly busy avenue, also helped to bring people out and able to make connections within the neighborhood. And the conversion of spaces like Lincoln Center’s public campus into a green, virtual park-like space with artificial turf, may have been pandemic inspired but worthy of keeping in the future. Reservation for two, March 12, an outdoor bubble please.
Virtual Work and Geographically Dispersed Talent
Employees did not just embrace work-from-home, they embraced working anywhere as home which resulted in a geographically dispersed talent base. Those employers who plan to continue remote work are also recognizing that the availability of geographically dispersed talent is allowing them to benefit by taking work to potential employees, versus bringing that talent to one city or one office.
There are challenges however: leaders need to be trained to manage and engage a geographically dispersed workforce; new technologies are needed to help incorporate this new talent; firm culture needs to be sustained in innovative ways. Yet the talent playing field and the job market just got wider, a win for all.
Supply Chain Issues’ Impact on the Environment
For so long anything new was deemed to be better. Until supply chain issues hit, resulting in lengthy manufacturing and shipping delays and other difficulties getting so many things. Stick with me here, this is not about toilet paper or cream cheese. All sorts of widgets and gizmos and raw materials became scarce.
The unintended winners: the old brown wooden desk from grandma’s attic was saved from the landfill and instead sanded down and painted green. Literally. Even older, abandoned industrial spaces are seeing an uptick in interest, with renovation an easier, cheaper, and more efficient option than building a new building. And suddenly what is old is new again. A huge win for the environment, let us hope it is sustainable.
These are just a few of the unintended, positive (in a good way), covid consequences. There are so many things worthy of keeping, or incorporating, into our ‘back to normal life’ — beyond the belief that Wordle and disinfecting wipes are now part of that new normal. Things like:
Incorporating the virtual Zoom chat feature into the live classroom, auditorium setting, or even the boardroom
This would allow teachers, university professors, and senior leadership teams to continue to see comments and questions from a wider range of participants in real time, just as they did on a Zoom, and not just hear from the hand raisers in the front row.
The expanded use of telehealth virtual doctor visits
These saw growth during Covid’s worst days and are now so accepted that 2 out of 3 Americans are saying they plan to continue to use these services. Conveniently FaceTiming your doctor from the comfort of your own bed without sitting in a waiting room when you are sick is 2022’s version of the house call.
Our newfound respect for the broadened range of essential services workers that we came to rely on during the pandemic
Huge shout out to those delivering our packages, groceries, pet food, and pharmaceuticals. My tip, give a good one.
The comeback of larger computer monitors and screens
Young and old are recognizing that if you had a large monitor in the office, continue that practicality when working from home versus only using your handheld phone or tablet. The eyes have it on this one.
Live interactions
Encouraging the practice that when someone is in the office that they interact with other people at the office. Yes, live engagements and interactions, even some with anniversary toasts, may now be back in vogue.
I would love to hear what is on your list.
While we are now seeing light at the end of our Covid-19 tunnel, may the memory of all of those lost be for a blessing.
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Paula Zirinsky, the founder of Zirinsky Strategy LLC, tackles marketing challenges and problem-solving through branding, thought leadership, and intentional marketing initiatives. With over four decades of experience, she possesses a proven track record in identifying growth opportunities for global companies and has a knack for building the necessary infrastructure and teams to drive strategy, branding, thought leadership, marketing, and business development. A former Global CMO, Paula has held leadership positions at K2 Integrity (formerly K2 Intelligence), a leading risk advisory firm, and law firms including Morgan Lewis, Morvillo Abramowitz, Fried Frank, and Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft. Additionally, she has provided corporate marketing and communications counsel to Daimler-Benz AG, Mercedes-Benz AG, Daimler Chrysler, and Hanover Direct Inc. She can be reached at paula@zirinskystrategy.com
