Unless you’ve been unplugged from the internet, you should know that the coronavirus is steadily spreading around the world at a rapid pace.
Officially called “COVID-19” and described as an “aggressive flu“, it has spread to most countries in Europe and the US and just recently, has been confirmed in African countries including Nigeria and South Africa.
The impact of COVID-19 have caused many businesses and companies to adopt more “work from home” directives for their employees (Microsoft and Amazon have adopted this policy) as well as caused cancellation of physical events and conferences.
With the COVID-19 flu on the rampage and slowly making its way to African countries, how prepared are Ghanaian businesses if ever the virus does make landfall in Ghana?
Are Businesses “Remote Work” Ready?
At the moment, there is not much data or surveys on how many companies in Ghana have a remote work policy but in general, most workers trope to physical offices to do their daily work. Those workers include developers and designers who could easily accomplish their daily tasks remotely.
Manual and paper applications are still heavily used when applying for most services in Ghana with not many places employing online or automated application processes.
So are businesses ready to move to more online processes? Are they ready? Or will the virus take a major tool on business continuity?
Available Tools For Remote Work
Businesses need to be more efficient when it comes to a remote work lifestyle. Unfortunately, most places are still stuck on tools like email for team communication.
These days, most businesses employ tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams which are more effective with team communication in real-time.
Microsoft Teams
For video or audio meetings, Skype, Google Hangouts and Zoom are the best options if businesses need to have more personal meetings.
But the question is, how many businesses currently use tools of this nature? And will they if a breakout occurs?
Will COVID-19 Make Ghanaian Business More Remote Work Friendly?
Ghanaian businesses tend to appreciate physically presences of their employees when it comes to office work. But with the advent of COVID-19 which is starting to make group gatherings almost obsolete, will businesses become more remote work-friendly and adopt more policies in that area?
There’s no telling how long or how much impact COVID-19 will have but businesses need to get ahead of it before its too late.
There are definitely businesses including restaurants, cafes and banks which will feel the impact of COVID-19. Restaurants, Cafes and food joints will need to consider more food delivery options and places like banks will have to be more forward with their digital strategy for customers to make transactions without them having to go to a physical bank branch.
All in all, businesses will have to have strategies and policies in place in case of an outbreak and to ensure businesses continuity. Staying at home and working is an effective policy but are businesses ready for that?
They better be because it could only be a matter of time.
Joseph-Albert Kuuire is the creator and editor of TechNovaGh.com, an online digital platform focusing on technology in Ghana.
Email: [email protected]
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