There’s quite a handful of household brands that started as tech startups; Uber, Shutterstock, and GitHub are prime examples. But with the novel coronavirus around, it’s hard to imagine traditional business-as-usual ideas when the pandemic has shifted so much of how we approach work today.
Moving forward, this only means that startup founders will have to be sensitive to new normal adjustments to better curate a business model that thrives post-pandemic. Here are the top trends tech startups should watch out for:
1. Increased premium on customer support services
When it comes to remaining relevant to consumers, customer service is critical. For instance, a study notes that travel startups in Europe worked twice as hard when this year’s lockdowns were just being implemented. Back-office support had to accommodate endless emails and phone calls to assist and meet customers’ needs adequately.
Next year, customers are forecasted to expect the same level of flexibility and agility from the businesses they support. The pandemic has forced organizations to redefine the level of accommodation they extend to their markets. As such, businesses—startups and corporations alike—are expected to retain the same level of attentiveness to consumers in the post-covid context.
2. Increased expectation of businesses to create social impact
With all that continues to contribute to current events, businesses are finding it essential to participate in social causes. As the need for brands to be humanized is more evident by the day, startups, in particular, are anticipated to gravitate toward progressive principles in the name of inclusivity. In other words, startups are expected to roll out social and responsibility programs to help better communities and causes around them.
Now that more people are actively vocal about their stances, the urgency for startups to create a positive impact and engage in current events is warranted. Outside sustainability, people now put irreversible importance on company ethics and practices, too.
3. Increased welcome of AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been around for years, but its incorporation into existing CRMs and other business software will be more significant in the coming year. Although many businesses are still quite hesitant to embrace the technology, experts say that AI and Machine Learning (ML) are crucial to helping startups compete with big industry players.
4. Regular remote work arrangements
The novel coronavirus has taught businesses many things: productivity and efficiency are still achievable practices despite restrictions and lockdowns.
No lifetime has ever celebrated remote work the way we have today. To add, numerous studies support that employees now prefer work-from-home set-ups, at least once or twice a week. And because remote employment also helps employers save on office expenses, it’s hard to imagine modern businesses retaining traditional in-person office arrangements.
5. Improved mental health and employee well-being programs
Humans comprise organizations, so it only makes perfect sense that employees are demanding more mental health and well-being programs from their employers. Corporate stresses are already overwhelming on their own. That said, the pandemic has only doubled the anxiety and emotional turmoil people experience daily. As such, more companies are seeing the value in giving more meaningful breaks and incentives to their workforce.
Furthermore, many tech startups are expected to roll out innovative well-being programs to promote work-life balance. Activities such as yoga sessions, movie nights, mental health days, and virtual icebreakers are anticipated to find their way into regular office practices.
Moreover, keeping employees engaged and fulfilled are vital takeaways to more substantial organizations.
6. Heightened demand for agility and resilience
The need for people to be resilient has long been expressed, but never have we been put to the test with a global health crisis until today. That mentioned, businesses are seeing how crucial being resilient is when all else is in shambles. From economic recessions to political regressions, entrepreneurs have played an integral role in bridging gaps and offering solutions to consumers.
While industries haven’t been easy oceans to sail in the last couple of months, businesses that have learned to reconcile necessary adjustments have seen a rewarding turnover. And while setbacks aren’t avoidable, what matters most is the ability to bounce back.
Outside people management and company perspective shifts, resiliency also tackles a business’ capacity to re-approach technology. If startups are serious about increasing customer engagement, then a resilient IT program is needed to help keep processes and systems afloat.
There is hope in no-code
It may not be 2021 yet, but these six tech startup trends are beginning to be more apparent by the day. To ensure sustainability, efficiency, and brilliant market reception, embracing trends and adjusting practices where applicable is essential.
In all of these, no-code platforms like bubble.io can play a fundamental part in realizing improved business practices. Because Bubble is the leading drag-and-drop web app editor in the market today, citizen developers will find that their brands become much more effective players when a stunning web application backs them up.
Have startup ideas in mind you’d like to share? Give us a call, and we’ll make it happen!
