It’s fair to say that the COVID-19 pandemic has duly impacted every industry. And more so, the sectors dependent on business travel. Over the last year, you’ve heard a lot of talk about the new normal. And for a good reason. What will the world look like after COVID-19?
Most countries are still in lockdown, and the world is some considerable distance from a recovery. It’s a known fact now that the COVID-19 pandemic will leave a lasting impact on society. Even with so many unknowns, one thing is for sure, the norm has forever changed.
Impact of COVID-19 on Consultant Travel
The impact of COVID-19 on the economy also had a knock-on effect on the global consulting industry, most of which is concentrated in the United States. With COVID-19 pushing many economies to the brink of recession, consulting companies have had to deal with delayed projects, decreasing scopes, and in some cases, particular projects have been canceled altogether. As a result, revenues in the industry have taken a big hit.
Before COVID-19, business travel was, in fact, booming. Millions of people would travel the continents to meet up with clients, customers, and investors. In the consulting industry, this was how business got done. Emails, phone calls, and virtual conferences only went so far when strategizing new business ventures.
After coronavirus was declared a pandemic, lockdowns and stay-at-home orders abruptly upended everyday working life. Consultants who were used to traveling for business were relegated to working from whatever nooks and crannies their homes provided. As the world faced what was thought to be the greatest threat to the global economy—since the Great Depression—corporate executives had to look at remote work in a new light. And within days, business travel came to a near standstill.
Adapting to the New Normal
Since constant travel is no longer an option, as a consultant, you’ve had to improve on your remote working skills. In some cases, you’ve had to hire local talent to carry out fieldwork. Consulting firms have had to develop new talent pipelines and digitize their operations.
Even in a downturn, consultant work is still plenty available. Companies still have board meetings and require more help than ever adjusting to the new normal. What the coronavirus has succeeded in bringing about is an environment that creates new priorities for companies and consultants.
Organizations worldwide are focused not only on how to survive the pandemic but also on how to thrive once recovery comes along. This situation has created new opportunities for consultants to help companies through the dark times.
Consultants have shifted to digital delivery. Today, companies are seeking consultants to map out future scenarios and business strategies. Many of these organizations have had to restructure their operations to build resilience against economic disruptions primarily through digitization.
Managing Director at nexus IT group, Travis Lindemoen says “2021 and beyond you will start to see a movement towards dial an expert as the future of IT consulting”. Through COVID-19, large buyers of consulting services have learned to embrace tele-consulting and many have found it easier to get quality time with consultants, and the consultants are loving the work/life balance of not travelling every week.
Consultant Travel After COVID-19
Everyone is waiting for the world to return to normalcy, but for many workers, this will not mean going back to the office. Remote work may just become the new normal. And COVID-19 may have changed business travel forever.
In consulting, face-to-face meetings previously provided unparalleled value. So, the question is, will consultant travel make a comeback after COVID-19 wanes, and travel restrictions are lifted? Well, it’s complicated.
- Working From Home Is Becoming a Preferred Alternative
Many consultants have seen the value of working from home. In Oliver Wyman’s Traveler Sentiment Survey, 31% of 2,500 business travelers found the use of videoconferencing to be just as effective at building strong client relationships and retaining contracts as in person-meetings.
Besides, not all consultants thrive on constant travel. The weekly flights, never-ending jetlag, and long hours meant to make up for time lost in transit can be exhausting. And let’s face it, no one enjoys taking regular trips to the airport. As a consultant, constant travel can take a toll on you. Odds are you’ve had to pay with your quality of life, time, or mental and physical health. Work-from-home orders have been a welcome break for most consultants. It’s no wonder that many consultants are on board with the idea of working from home.
While health and safety concerns may dissipate after effective dissemination of vaccines, many consultants desire to work remotely and use videoconferencing means that business travel will never be the same. The downturn observed in consultant travel may persist long after COVID-19 has passed.
Also, there’s increased demand for flexibility from teams in how and where people work. This, coupled with reduced fears about the effectiveness of remote work, has made executives rethink the need for business travel.
Also, the economic pressures of COVID-19 have led many companies to take up cost-cutting measures, including slashing travel budgets. While virtual meetings may not offer all the benefits of in-person meetings, the cost savings make them well worth it. By having their employees work remotely half the time, an employer can save around $11,000 annually for every employee.
- Traveling Only When It’s Essential
Admittedly, videoconferencing may be effective at maintaining already established client relationships, but is it as effective at creating new ones? In-person interactions are critical at establishing trust and are an irreplaceable ingredient of good business. After all, social interactions are a must in most corporate cultures. This isn’t something that can change overnight. It’s hard to catch the nuances of body language over a screen and even harder to ease any tensions or disagreements that may arise.
What happens now? Well, there’s a need to define what constitutes essential travel. You may have to fly out to lock in a new client. However, your well-being cannot come second to price. Companies will have to create strategies and processes to ensure their employees are protected. This is a call to action for businesses. Ensuring the physical and psychological health of traveling consultants and the destination risk is a must.
As mass vaccinations continue and society starts returning to normalcy, health and safety concerns continue to take center stage. Organizations will have to be agile at evolving their policies from how consultant travel is approved to what advisory measures consultants receive. Ongoing vigilance is a necessity.
Future of Consulting
The current pandemic has proved one thing: To survive, one must adapt. Consulting firms have successfully adapted by switching to remote work and digitizing their operations. By doing so, they are able to retain their clients and go about their business, proving that consultancy work doesn’t have to be strictly travel-centered. So, will remote work be the future of consulting? Probably yes! But with variations based on prevailing circumstances.
About nexus IT group
nexus IT group is a top IT staffing agency who recruits top IT talent in tech hubs across the US. If you have an immediate IT opening, or are a job seeker looking to advance your IT career, you’ve come to the right IT headhunter services firm, contact nexus IT group. We have access to highly skilled tech talent that most IT recruiting firms can’t easily get in front of, so let our recruiting team show you why so many companies trust and love our IT recruiting agency.
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