North Carolina and Hard-Learned Lessons of COVID-19

With Governor Cooper’s new announcement that Phase 2 social-distancing rules will be enforced through mid-July, many North Carolinians are concerned about the future of their businesses, finances and day to day lives. While there is a significant level of uncertainty, looking back at business responses to COVID-19 so far sheds some light as to how North Carolina will fare in the future. Here are some important lessons learned by North Carolina through coronavirus responses so far:

Lean Into the Future

The restaurant industry nationwide has been devastated by the coronavirus, and North Carolina, a state famous for its southern barbecue and trendy breweries, has felt the impacts.North Carolina restaurants have been forced to lean into the future of technology and dining. While many restaurants didn’t operate to-go ordering in the past, demands for contactless meals have pushed restaurants towards apps like GrubHub and UberEats during the pandemic. Hopefully, this lesson harnessing technology for demands in service will be applied across industries to help keep businesses afloat.

“Work From Home” Actually Works

North Carolina businesses shifted their employees to remote work with understandable anxiety about how it would affect employees’ output. However, a new report from marketing service GetResponse showed that about 34% of North Carolina employees surveyed felt that they were more productive at home than in the office, making North Carolina one of the nation’s top three states in that consideration. This lesson, that North Carolina can lead the nation in productivity while remote, can be used to encourage business managers to keep their employees safe and productive out of the office in months to come.

Flexibility Is Key

Businesses have always known that it is important to be nimble in order to be
successful. However, the nature of the pandemic has forced many businesses to elevate their mastery of this skill. North Carolina businesses have certainly been getting creative! For instance, gyms and fitness studios, whose spaces can’t be opened for COVID-19 safety, are offering online training. Embracing a flexible approach to offering customers products and services in new and creative ways has been essential, and is a skill that will help North Carolina businesses stay strong.

Only time will tell how North Carolina will make it through the pandemic economically, but looking back on things the state is learning will be essential to creating the best possible outcome during unpredictable challenges.