WFH may seem like a temporary solution to help contain the coronavirus right now, but it doesn’t mean retailers shouldn’t consider it a long-term policy post-pandemic.
Although some countries are easing restrictions, many businesses are still hesitant to lift social distancing measures and welcome workers back into office spaces. While the tech industry has based entire frameworks on flexible work policies and were well-equipped to handle these mandated self-isolation practices, the retail and fashion industry have had less structure to prepare for this.
Now is the time to start adopting a more lenient company culture. We lay down the 5 ways retailers can help their employees seamlessly transition into remote work and start acting like a tech company.
1. Cabin fever, no problem
As your company goes completely digital, the easiest way to feel any sense of connection with your colleagues and sanity for your own mental health is by using video conferencing platforms such as Zoom. Although most retail jobs such as buying, merchandising and design depend mostly on in-person interactions, video calls are a simple solution to review assortments or strategically plan on ways to deal with any other issues down the line.
While COVID-19 remains prevalent and with rapidly changing market behaviors, it’s important to tap into other mobile-friendly solutions, especially when video conferencing with your colleagues isn’t an option. With the newly released EDITED Mobile app, retail professionals are able to do just that by easily accessing world class retail analysis and reports through their phones. It enables executives to retrieve the insights they need in order to respond with agility to the changing market. Overall, embracing technologies are an easy and efficient means to still do your job, while decreasing any stressors from cabin fever.
Read the full press release for details about EDITED Mobile and reach out to a retail expert to see how your business can start using the app today.
2. #Overcommunicating
At traditional retail companies, corporate messenger tools such as Lync are typically used to instant message in real-time. It does essentially what you need it to do, chat to your coworkers when need be. As the capabilities aren’t extensive, consider implementing Slack instead – a techie’s favorite communication platform.
Compared to Lync or Gchat, Slack fosters both professional and interpersonal relationships with your entire company. As self-isolation remains the mainstay for our foreseeable future, Slack channels can offer fun ways to talk about things outside of work. Think about a channel for only sharing pet pictures. While the built-in status function acts as an easy way to notify each other about when you’re in a meeting or at lunch. Over communicating is better than not communicating at all.
3. There’s no ‘I’ in team
With office spaces still closed, people are more geographically dispersed and isolated than ever. Coupled with the lack of face time, productive team collaborations are even more difficult to organize, increasing the risk of misalignment.
In order to combat this, EDITED teams is a feature to help streamline internal processes that fosters shared data, collaboration and knowledge retention. Shared knowledge is especially crucial as retailers try to uphold a sense of confidence in every strategic move that’s decided during this time of uncertainty. With this scalable way to do so, team members are able to move quickly and more efficiently to escalate key learnings and insights. One opportunity can be the determining factor towards the success of your entire business during this critical state in time.
4. Self-care the Silicon Valley way
As you spend more time indoors, there will be more content shared across social media than ever. Between Instagram Live to TikTok, social media activity is at its peak. Although public spaces like gyms and studios are still closed, use your internet time wisely by following brands such as Rumble and CorePower who are broadcasting exercise classes live and for free. So if you need a WFH break, watch a 15-20 min exercise video to avoid turning into fat Thor.
For brands who want to stay connected with their community, don’t forget to continue to communicate and stay transparent with your customers during this time. Utilize your brand ambassador network to help create original WFH content. This can include promoting self-care products such as skincare routines or upcoming loungewear products.
5. Going from WeWork to iHome
As WFH becomes the new norm, it’s important to create a stimulating environment especially for all the creatives out there. Look to Pinterest for some office inspiration so you set up an aesthetically pleasing space to keep the creative juices flowing. If your space allows it, invest in a standing desk or use empty boxes to replicate something similar. It’s a great way to get up and move at your new WFH office space. Adjusting to a new environment and work routine might take some time, but find solace knowing we’re all in this together.
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Daphne Duong
