We’ll meet again… but how will we feel?
On this edition of The Business Brunch, we are joined by Stephen Spencer from Stephen Spencer + Associates, Wendy Ball from the Ashmolean Museum, Jon Young from BVA BDRC and Tagore Ramoutar from The Oxford Artisan Distillery as they discuss how people will react and what measures businesses should take to help visitors return to enjoy attractions and hospitality venues again.… what meeting again in the post Covid world will look and feel like.
It’s undeniable that everyone is looking forward to having some form of normality back in their lives and for the pandemic to be over, but is it going to be easy to integrate ourselves back into society? For the past year, we have lived through uncertainty, fear and sadness, but there is light at the end of the tunnel and it’s time that we as businesses start planning and thinking about how we are going to come out of this with purpose and empathy.
Wendy Ball acknowledges that whilst ‘feeling safe’ is still a key priority, people also want to enjoy the fullest possible experiences with their family and friends too. Moving back to a ‘normal’ world will be a slow process and won’t be something that will just happen overnight, so as businesses we need to adapt and rethink how we can help people feel comfortable. For example, research tells us that venues with the option of dining alfresco are likely to be popular this summer.
“For example, research tells us that venues with the option of dining alfresco are likely to be popular this summer.”
Wendy Ball
Jon Young stated that “46% of the population think the worst has passed.” He also mentioned that “the population don’t expect some level of normality to return for another 10 months.” These statistics suggest that people are apprehensive about the upcoming months and still have a sense of uncertainty about the future and so it is more important than ever for businesses to listen and respond to their visitor’s actions and reactions…
“46% of the population think the worst has passed.”
Jon Young
Another key point discussed was that people are really trusting businesses and relying on them to follow the right guidelines and to educate their staff well. Stephen stressed that it’s really important for businesses to get this right and do all that we can to help welcome people back in the safest way possible.
“it’s really important for businesses to get this right and do all that we can to help welcome people back in the safest way possible.”
Stephen Spencer
Links to Business Brunch guests
Stephen Spencer blog post: https://www.stephenspencerassociates.com/blog-collection/the-three-ss-of-post-covid-business
Jon Young – BVA BDRC: https://hcontent.bva-bdrc.com/clearsight
Tagore Ramoutar from The Oxford Artisan Distillery: www.tagoreramoutar.co.ukhttps://shop.theoxfordartisandistillery.com/products/distillery-tour
More in Community Building
East Oxford Community Centre ribbon cutting ceremony celebrates completion of the...
The full redevelopment of East Oxford Community Centre is now complete. This marks the return of a beloved local community venue, boasting additional and more functional community space, a contemporary new look, and lower running costs for the Oxford City Council.
A Growing Desire for Better Business
The Better Business Ecosystem is raising awareness and showcasing the wide variety of ways businesses can have a more positive impact on society, communities and the environment, by embedding great business practices across their companies.
Why joining a community of business leaders can enhance your reputation and credibility
I read a LinkedIn post recently that reassured business owners that if they’d managed to keep their businesses going during recession, Brexit, COVID and the cost-of-living crisis that they deserved a huge pat on the back and shouldn’t ‘beat themselves up’. Easier said than done when costs are rising and doing business seems to get harder rather than easier, but the sentiment was well-placed.
From this author
University of Oxford Vice Chancellor’s Christmas Drinks: A Celebration of Community,...
Sincere thanks to Professor Irene Tracey, Vice Chancellor of the University of Oxford, and Professor Alex Betts, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement, Sport, and Community, for the kind invitation to this year’s Christmas Drinks — a truly memorable evening hosted in the spectacular Life and Mind Building, one of the most impressive additions to Oxford’s innovation landscape.
The Customer Test: When Service Fails the Customer
CASE 1: Ovo Energy by B4’s CEO, Richard Rosser
FROM LOVER TO BUYER™
Please join us on Tuesday, October 14th, 2-6:30PM at the Royal Suite of St. Pancras Hotel London, concurrent with Frieze London Art Week, for an afternoon tea and social featuring conversations with visionaries at the intersection of art, culture, and business.