We are reading every day about the problems that this crisis brings with it. Major events are cancelled, whether they are trade fairs, concerts or just groups of friends gathering in the parks. Everything is only possible to a limited extent - at least that's how it seems. In short: everyone is affected in some way. Companies that have decided against digitization in the past, i.e. "priority I - topic", are hit hard or have not even considered agreeing on digital strategies. One can assume that these companies have to pay a high price for this.
And what are the reactions of some companies? Budgets are frozen – “You have to watch the market first!” they say. Agility is lacking in companies that can't get out of the "Made in Germany" thinking.
Owner-managed companies that prohibit their employees from working from home or cannot even provide them with laptops or similar work equipment stand still during the crisis. One result: the demand market for mobile devices is exploding, but the facilities are taking time. VPN networks have to be set up, the bandwidth of the home office has to be of adequate strength... This list can go on forever.
Now the "germanicus vulgaris - the common German" tends to bury his head in the sand and, to put it a little casually, to swear like the reed sparrow.
James Blunt plays in the empty Elbphilharmonie and can be seen via stream, balcony concerts can be heard in the streets... Again, the list can be extended many times over, but I think the idea is conveyed well.
We seem to have discovered new digital strategies for our everyday life and entertainment options and welcome them with open arms. But what is happening in the business world?
Here, too, a lot is happening: video conferences are replacing "meetings in person", business trips have to be avoided, webinars are springing up, podcasts are being produced, virtual showrooms are possible thanks to VR technology, guided selling supports this Inquirers in choosing the right solution for their requirements, and that without support from sales if the solution is intuitive and from FoxBase! (A little fun on the side) Home office is now "course and given"...
The best ideas come from necessity. That's a phrase that everyone has known for quite some time, but will the mechanisms that are now keeping companies running in the time of crisis maintained?
We can expect managers to support it as effectiveness will not be revised downwards. It also saves companies a lot of resources. Whether it's expensive trips to avoidable on-site appointments or office space that can be implemented with an optimally balanced home office strategy.
It is already becoming clear that digitization is now the "Prio I - topic" in companies. However, one should not only fixate on the digital strategy, but it is advisable to deal with all of them and let the “pros & cons” run against each other.
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