2020 was a turbulent year for all. As we head into the new financial year we put together some key insights for the year ahead, looking at how they will affect the channel and ultimately the organisations within it as we embark into 2021.
There’s no planet B.
Sustainability is a topic at the forefront of consumers’ minds. Whilst convenience and cost will continue to be a priority, there is an increasing demand for ethical business practices.
When it comes to CO2 emissions, the IT industry is not as innocent as you may first think. Waste culture is a serious issue, with assets being dismissed as obsolete due to technological advancements, meaning that goods are simply outdated too quickly.
On a global scale, the US rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement is a positive first step for 2021. As the second highest emitter of greenhouse gases, their involvement is essential. America has a huge global influence, so let’s hope this step will make all the difference to business practices.
More specifically for the channel, back in November the European Government voted to stand by the environment, to make “sustainable products the norm in the EU”. As a direct effect of this vote, it will now be possible for the European Commission to develop and implement laws on extending product lifetime on items such as laptops and phones.
This is fantastic news here at Cameo. We implemented our new Asset Repair Service last year, a sustainable and cost effective process which offers damaged goods a new lease of life. We want to do our part in making “the right to repair a European reality” (Chloé Mikolajczak, 2020). We are here to Collect, Protect, Repair and return, click here to learn more.
Working 9 to 5… from home
Arguably the biggest trend of 2021 will be the style in which we work. Here are some key ways we think this will change:
Productivity
The pandemic has highlighted that productivity does not equal spending eight hours in the office five days a week. As our social lives gradually start to return to normal this year, it is clear that our working lives have been permanently changed, perhaps for the better. In fact with less time spent commuting, employees may find an increase in productivity, with more time for exercise, sleep and a healthier work life balance. Of course this is not the case for everyone, young children, lack of privacy and space all present challenges but in the case of Cameo, employees have adapted fantastically to WFH despite this.
Location
Our shift to working from home may see less of a need for businesses to invest in real estate. Working from home is now the norm for the majority of us in the UK. As we look ahead into 2021, office culture is becoming more and more fluid. At Cameo, we have ditched the traditional office, moving to a modern, open and collaborative space, the idea being that when possible, employees can come into the office a couple times a week and it is something to look forward to!
Communication
Never before has communication been more key. 2020 taught us a valuable lesson that internal communication should now be valued as part of a business’s strategy, at a senior leadership level and business wide. Communication has had to shift from face to face to nearly entirely digital, whether this be video calls, instant messaging, emails or phone calls, the lack of opportunity to communicate in person makes us entirely reliant on technology. With this in mind businesses have adapted, potentially too well. In some cases it is nearly impossible to fully switch off, where the end of the day is far less defined, presenting a challenge with work life balance. Ultimately, this reliance on technology to communicate further exposes vulnerabilities businesses may have and places even more importance on security.
Home is where the…
…wait. There is no doubt that the home will now be a target for a large number of cyber attacks as we head into 2021. Securing remote workers is critical as the home continues to present more opportunities for the ‘bad guys’.
According to the ISF (Information Security Forum) human error and negligence are still the leading contributor to a large number of security incidents. By understanding the key factors that influence employees’ security choices, organisations can then best deliver impactful security education, training and awareness.
“A robust human-centred security programme can be the catalyst that organisations need to positively change and sustain good security behaviour in the long term” Dan Norman (Senior Solutions Analyst, ISF)
From both an employee and a consumer standpoint, more time and money is now being invested into ensuring that organisations are best equipped to deal with security breaches and cyber attacks. To find out more about how we are ensuring our services are safe and secure for our customers, click here.
In diversity there is beauty and there is strength
Diversity, equity and inclusion were at the top of social and political conversations in 2020. As we begin to move into 2021, it is here, where leaders and organisations take the time to re-evaluate strategies based on the lessons learned last year. Here are topline lessons that can allow businesses to develop a meaningful inclusion programme and get rid of workplace inequalities throughout 2021 and beyond.
Expertise and Education
“Real change begins with education”. An important place to start would be to identify an expert that can help pinpoint areas of improvement within your organisation. Listening to your expert here is key. In order for change to happen you must first start by listening. It goes without saying that change is often uncomfortable, but worthwhile for embedding diversity and inclusion practice into business culture.
Build an Inclusive Environment
The ‘I’ in D&I is more often than not overlooked in conversations surrounding Diversity and Inclusion. One practical strategy to promote inclusion is forming a D&I committee. Here is a space to celebrate diversity, practice inclusive leadership and a space where all employees feel comfortable to speak up and be heard.
Openness and Transparency
Be transparent. There is a lot to learn about diversity and inclusion and every business is at a different stage of their development. The importance here is to be open and honest with what needs to be prioritised within your organisation.
“Be transparent and do not feign inclusion when it is not there. Your audience already knows about your level of inclusion. If they are not yet aware of your business print and social media is only a whisper away. Trust me. We live in the internet age.” – Carmen Morris (Forbes, 2020)
It is no secret that the IT industry has a long way to go when it comes to diversity, however we hope this year we will continue to make important strides in achieving a diverse workforce. CRN Women in Channel has said D&I is going to be a key focus for them in 2021, let’s hope this is the case throughout other industries.
2021 will see us all continue to develop as we head into a year of what we hope will be positive change. #TeamC look forward to the year ahead, putting 2020 learnings into play.