In these times of uncertainties when we are living through a global pandemic, it has become imperative for businesses to rethink, reinvent, innovate and adapt rapidly to secure their competitive position and thrive in the long run.

Let us take a look at the changing practices that businesses are adopting to adapt to the new normality. 

TALENT ACQUISITION 

Online hiring is the need of the hour whether it is posting job requirements, selecting potential candidates or video interviewing them, organizations looking for hiring talent are relying heavily on technology. 

Access to a quality talent pool has increased with many people looking out for jobs in the current situation. With more and more technology, automation and virtual solutions at the disposal of hiring teams, communication with candidates and recruiting them is becoming easier. It is also becoming important for the HR team to keep up with the changing times and technology and have a sophisticated approach. 

ONBOARDING TALENT

Post hiring, onboarding is an important area of recruitment which is now happening virtually. Interactive webinars, podcasts, animated explainer videos help in making the onboarding process efficient. Planning and communicating frequently about the employee's job profile and needs help the employee feel comfortable and creates a strong bond between the employee and the organization. 

LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

With a variety of options like webinars, online training sessions and skill upgrading workshops available, online learning and development have become a lot easier and also critical than ever before. Virtual communication and training tools provide a new way for employee engagement and a platform for future development as per the rapidly evolving demands of the market.COVID-19 has seen a lot of participation from employees and businesses in the learning and development department. At the same time, training professionals have typically been at the forefront of embracing new technology. 

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT 

It is very important for the success of an organization that its employees feel valued, heard and engaged. It is important to keep them connected, motivated and focused through consistent interactions and providing various platforms for personal and professional learning and growth like online counselling, rejuvenation and wellness sessions.COVID-19 pandemic has made people and organizations coming up with remarkable ways to establish a stronger digital employee engagement platform and most importantly ways to appreciate the outstanding effort, recognize talent and ensuring teamwork and collaboration. 

FLEXIBILITY IN WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEE WELLBEING

COVID-19 has brought focus on employee wellbeing like never before. As new ways of working have emerged and people are working from home, it is becoming increasingly difficult for organizations to monitor their employee's wellbeing and productivity at work. Organizations are adopting tools like online surveys, video conferencing etc. to understand their employee's behaviour and the challenges they are facing on the work front and personal level organizations can use this data for making better decisions and improving their operations and engagements.

COVID-19 pandemic has impacted individuals and businesses. It's natural to feel scared and anxious but once you manage your fears and embrace adversities, it turns into an advantage. It offers you valuable insights. Businesses need to adapt to new market realities and keep growing, innovating and evolving to have a competitive advantage. In these difficult times proper planning, dedication and resilience will help the businesses grow and succeed. 

Conclusion 

COVID-19 pandemic has impacted individuals and businesses. Businesses will have to change their traditional way of working and embrace digitization. Companies need digital transformation and new technology tools and an overall digital strategy to ensure better preparedness for the future.

Businesses must also ensure that their employees are well trained with new technology tools and skills to understand and support the organizations’ plan for digital transformation and growth. Digitalization provides useful data-driven insights that can help businesses to analyse, plan and be future prepared to thrive in adversities. Businesses need to adapt to new market realities and keep growing, innovating and evolving to have a competitive advantage. In these difficult times proper planning, dedication and resilience will help the businesses grow and succeed.