Coronavirus forces organizations to be digital

The whole world is under the spell of the coronavirus. In the Netherlands, too, measures are being tightened daily. For example, all schools, childcare centers and restaurants have been closed since March 16 and the whole of the Netherlands should stay home as much as possible. These kinds of measures have a major impact on the daily work that employees perform. Great demands are made on the flexibility, agility and creativity of employees and organizations alike.

Increase in digital consultation

So time to come up with creative solutions. Online training provider SkillsTown already notices a difference in the contact with customers: "Almost all physical appointments are cancelled and customers prefer to avoid personal contact. Not a problem for us, because in our opinion there are enough alternatives. For example, we now run our appointments via Skype, Google or other appropriate software and give our demonstrations online. Incidentally, this is something we started doing some time ago to reduce CO2 emissions. So it's good that we were already prepared for this before the virus broke out," said Danny van Heesch, manager of sales at SkillsTown.

In addition to replacing physical appointments for a digital alternative, SkillsTown also notices the increase in online broadcasting of meetings and large gatherings. With Prime Minister Mark Rutte's statement calling on schools to preferably broadcast large-scale lectures online, this is only expected to increase.

"Almost all physical appointments are cancelled and relations prefer to avoid personal contact. Not a problem for us, because in our opinion there are plenty of alternatives."

Hans Schuurmans, CEO SkillsTown says: "More and more of our clients are asking us what the possibilities are for their meeting or conference to take place digitally. Of course we know what the possibilities are for easily reaching large groups of people at the same time, without the need for physical contact. We notice that many organizations are not yet familiar with these solutions. Especially now it is therefore important to properly inform organizations about the possibilities and to provide an equivalent or even better digital alternative in the short term."

Utilize freed up time

The coronavirus outbreak may temporarily reduce work. Many companies apply for shorter working hours in this regard. Yet the union FNV is calling on companies to look at other solutions as well. For example, they state on their website: "The FNV believes that your employer should first look at the possibilities within the company to absorb this. For example, he can give you additional training, have you temporarily do other work within or outside the company, or ask you to take leave.

Many companies today already have an online learning environment where employees can take unlimited online training courses. The time currently "left over" due to reduced work can be effectively and professionally filled by devoting to the employee's personal and professional development.

Hans Schuurmans: "Often time was an important factor when investing in learning and development. I spoke to a client this week who indicated that employees had less full diaries due to the virus outbreak. As a result, they were going to give employees extra attention to the online courses that still needed to be taken. Despite the negative impact the virus is having, this is one of the positive ways to deal with it."

Getting started digitally yourself?

SkillsTown offers several options regarding digitizing upcoming meetings, events, meetings or appointments. Would you like to know more about this? Then feel free to contact us at 088 141 00 00 or email info@skillstown.com.