2020 will go down as a watershed moment for millions of people. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused an unparalleled challenge to global health and severely disrupted the way of life in societies across the world. It has also had a profound economic impact, the effects of which may be felt for many years to come.

However, there are some businesses that have thrived in the current environment and continue to grow from strength to strength, a prime example being Amazon who have seen record profits this year. They are a primary example of a company whose digital strategy has enabled them to take advantage of the opportunities that have arisen, with people now forced to go online for many of the products and services they would normally have bought and consumed face-to-face.

Another industry sector, which has undoubtedly benefitted, has been the online casino business, which has seen revenues swell as people, forced to endure national lockdowns, have turned to them as a source of entertainment and, in rare cases, profit. Those wanting to learn more about this industry should consult the portal casinolist.ca.

One obvious shift is that many people have had to work from home, which means companies have been forced to think about how teams and individuals collaborate like never before. Skype and Zoom calls, once the exception, have now become the norm, and there has been an erosion between professional and home life as a result.

People have become used now to have online business meetings interrupted by colleagues’ toddlers, dogs, and other family members all of whom have been made to stay at home because of government measures, And, whilst some may regret the lack of professionalism, for many others it has helped them make more meaningful connections with colleagues, and proved that they are only human after all.

At the same time, the new reality has forced many, in some cases kicking and screaming, into the digital age. Many businesses that had a minimal online presence before the crisis have been forced to adapt, and fast. Now, when you no longer have footfall in your physical store, the only one you can reach existing and new customers is through online marketing.

There has been unprecedented need for new apps, meaning that developers suddenly find themselves in great demand. Similarly, SEO and email marketing have become increasingly important for those who need to stand out from the competition. And those that did not have a website before, or who had paid scant attention to it previously, have found a new appreciation for its value.

Going online has also seen the creation of strategic alliances. Supermarkets now link-up with delivery companies to ensure that customers ordering online get the groceries they need. Similarly, with those many pubs, and restaurants that have been forced to offer takeaway services for the first time ever.

The major question is whether this just a temporary trend with things reverting to normal when, and, if, the global pandemic ends. Many experts argue that, far from being transitory, the new ways of working and the reliance on technology will become the new reality.

People have begun to appreciate the value of being able to order goods and services from the comfort of their own living rooms. Many also have started to gain a greater appreciation of the benefits of working from home, saving as it does on travel time and costs, and helping to minimize the environmental footprint by reducing the number of cars on the roads.

That has also seen the creation of a greater sense of trust in work environments. Managers now realize employees can work perfectly well by themselves without the need for constant supervision. That not only boosts company morale but productivity as well.