So last year wasn’t great was it? And while 2021 hasn’t got off to the best start, it’s not all doom and gloom and the UK’s vaccination program is real cause for optimism.

While we all eagerly await that happy day in the not-too-distant future when life returns to something approaching ‘normal’, it’s important that businesses who are able to continue operating remain positive, productive and proactive. With this in mind, we’ve pulled together a few suggestions for new year’s resolutions that can help your organisation to bounce back from the pandemic stronger than ever.

Focus on employee wellbeing

The events of such a turbulent year will inevitably have taken their toll on many people’s mental health and remote working makes it harder to keep track of your employees’ wellbeing. That’s why it’s important to arrange regular check-ins to make sure that your people are managing. Burnout is a real problem which is only becoming more common in the current climate. By keeping in regular contact with your team, you can identify when people are struggling and take steps to help.

As well as direct action like ensuring that employees have manageable workloads, encouraging them to take regular breaks and putting meeting-free time in the diary, simple things like having informal conversations about life outside of work are beneficial too. We’re all in front of the screen more often these days, so when you have one-to-one catchups, why not make them ‘walking one-to-ones’ over the phone? It’s perfect for reducing screen time and getting some fresh air and exercise while you’re at it.

Steps like these give your employees more opportunities to let you know about any problems they’re experiencing, and also means they’re more likely to remain motivated and productive.

Plan ahead

In these unpredictable times, it’s so easy to get lost in your day-to-day activities and lose sight of the bigger picture. We’ve all heard the expression, “failing to prepare is preparing to fail”, and while it’s important to remain focused on the here and now, it’s essential to strike the right balance and ensure you’re planning for the future too.

Planning ahead is vital to the success of any business and by having a structured long-term plan in place with achievable goals and targets, it gives your organisation focus and direction. With meaningful objectives for your people to work towards and a shared collective purpose, your organisation is more likely to achieve its goals.

Talk to your customers

2020 has shown just how important that loyalty and customer relationships are to every business. Maintaining and strengthening relationships with your customers means they’re more likely to give you repeat business. And what’s more, going above and beyond for your customers generates positive word of mouth around your busines – more important than ever in these challenging times.

But how can you enhance your relationships with customers? Simple – talk to them! In practical terms, communicating with your customers gives you the opportunity to find out about challenges they’re facing and how you can deliver for them, helping you tailor your service and even increase sales. But more than that, the simple act of reaching out to your customers lets them know that they are valued – and when customers feel valued, they’re less likely to take their business elsewhere.

Prepare for the shift to hybrid working

Clearly, the way we work has changed significantly since last March and the pandemic accelerated the widespread adoption of digital tools to facilitate remote working. But when we no longer have to work from home out of necessity, for most of us, the old routine of 9-5 in the office, five days a week will be a thing of the past. In fact, TalkTalk’s Lockdown Lessons research shows that more than half of respondents don’t expect to return to ‘traditional’ ways of working.

However, while the likes of Zoom and Teams have become invaluable, they’re no substitute for in-person meetings and having a physical office space is still hugely valuable. A hybrid approach where staff have the flexibility and convenience of working from home, alongside the option of a safe workplace environment, provides the best of both worlds.

In some ways, we were fortunate that the pandemic struck when it did. The technology and connectivity infrastructure in place meant many businesses continued to collaborate with colleagues, stay in touch with customers and keep operations moving. If we’d faced these trying circumstances ten years earlier, it would likely have been a very different story…

If 2020 was about surviving, then 2021 will be about thriving – but does your business have the right kind of connectivity in place to do so?

With lightning-fast upload and download speeds, crystal-clear video calls and a rock-solid connection, that won’t let you down, we can help you can get the most out of hybrid working.

To discover some of the reasons why TalkTalk Business is equipped to help your business make the move to hybrid working and make 2021 a year to remember for all the right reasons, click here.