During early part of the #COVID19, major challenges faced by Employers, other than economic losses, were to stay well-connected with employees #workingfromhome, increase work efficacy through effective #communication, and keep employees motivated to bring #innovativesolutions so businesses afloat.

On contrary, employees were pressed hard by #workfromhome situation to improve on communications skills specially those who preferred to stay in silo while working. It also forced employees to adopt to #outofboxthinking and communicate the #ideas #effectively and #timely.

On the technological front, effective management and knowledge of tools and technology to #collaborate with #teams and delivery of services on #timely and efficient basis became a key #KPI. COVID crises boosted businesses to invest in technology and proper training to abreast employees for that change. To an effective remote working, a Gartner Snap Poll showed 54% of HR considered poor technology/ or remote infrastructure as an obstacle. 2020 Global Technology Leadership Study, showed businesses allocating more than 10% of spending as a percentage of revenue to #Technologybudget.  Survey also demonstrated that employers started investing in technologies that enhanced business innovative initiatives. Companies invested on average 15% of Technological budget to business innovative initiatives during 2020.

A Mckinsey report stated that stepping in such an innovative environment, #COVIDcrises has brought about years of #change in the way companies in all sectors and regions do business. To operate and excel in this new business and economic environment, companies must develop new strategies and adopt new practises.

Further, recently we all speak about #ArtificialIntelligence more often than before though it has been working and impacting almost every job which requires data driven searches and online programming. Per one of Forbes articles, usage of AI across many sectors has grown by 270% over a period of last four years. There are quite number of studies and developments to incorporate AI to different sectors which have led to increasing usage of AI in different sectors. One of the example which we all can easily relate to on LinkedIn is Automated applicant tracking system, or ATS, which scan resumes and shortlist few per job criteria.

During 2020, Graduate Management Admission Council surveyed nearly 700 global corporate recruiters to analyse which business skills will be in demand post pandemic by employers. The top three skills shortlisted included managing strategy and innovation, managing tools and technology, and interpersonal skills.

Managing strategy and innovation includes processing and analysing data or information, developing strategies and creating innovative solutions to press up against unpredictable times. Managing tools and technology involves knowledge of machines and its processes, developing strategy to put that technology into usage to bring some efficiency for the businesses. Third skill set weighted by recruiters is Interpersonal skills which mainly cover soft skills such as communication (oral or written), listening, team management, persuasion and negotiation, collaboration, and timely delivery of services. This survey clearly links to the key developments and strategies adopted by businesses during COVID crises to survive as discussed in the paragraphs above. Pressing employees to think innovatively and develop strategies in these unpredictable times, adopting, and managing tools and technology and up breasting to communicate and collaborate and deliver services while working from home have been foremost in recent times. While employers have been pushed to invest in tools and technologies which help in developing strategies and innovative ideas to do business in a way that support long-term growth of the companies accordingly, employing, retaining and training employees who adds the value. We all know that it is inevitable that these changes will remain well attached to the ways companies operate in the future.