A new survey of over 500 founders from The Kung Group has provided insight into how the current pandemic has impacted their business now and in the future.
One of the biggest takeaways from the survey was that 70% of respondents said that after their workspaces reopen, they will allow some, if not all, of their employees to continue working remotely. Additionally, 76% said that productivity had either stayed consistent or increased due to the transition to remote working.
The survey also revealed that remote working, which could be from home or a coffee shop post-pandemic, will cause a redistribution of employees from dense cities to suburban areas.
For those who do go back to the office, they will look much different than just three months ago. Now, companies will need to take action that encourages work engagement and collaboration, while keeping employees safe. Even Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook announced that the company would allow a large portion of employees to work from home and seek out talent in remote locations.
In all likelihood, offices will become more of a place for important meetings and community building exercises, but everyday operations will take place elsewhere.
Leadership is also expected to look much different moving forward. According to author Daniel Pink’s book A Whole New Mind, “the future belongs to a very different kind of person with a very different kind of mind—creators and empathizers, pattern recognizers, and meaning makers. These people—artists, inventors, designers, storytellers, caregivers, consolers, big picture thinkers—will now reap society’s richest rewards and share its greatest joys.”