PUBLISHER’S NOTE W
ith the world news dominated by the dreadful impact of coronavirus I write this hoping that you and all of our
thousands of readers are taking the utmost care to protect themselves, their families and their co-workers. Many of us are now working from home which is why we have not printed and mailed this issue, as it would have been pointless sending copies into closed offices.
Instead, we will be making this issue and the editions that follow digitally available to everyone in the sector, increasing our publishing frequency to try to keep everyone informed as to the latest developments. And extending the offer of free subscriptions to our DC Weekly e-newsletters to anyone interested in receiving them. Feel free to let your colleagues know about this too.
The government, in my view, is to be commended for its initiatives to support businesses and their employees during these unprecedented times. We now await news of what our self-employed counterparts can expect in terms of emergency help, as many projects have been postponed leaving them without income. I would suggest that this is a great time to brief creative, research and other support work to help keep your freelancers and consultants in business as well as to get a headstart on new projects. There are currently many good people out there seeking work which can be done remotely. If you have a requirement I may well be able to provide some good potential matches.
Now, looking ahead, we have to hope that with more of us staying at home, that the spread of the virus will be slowed and that more lives can be saved while we await a vaccine.
In a few months it is my hope that we will be getting ready to return to normal activities. But that can obviously only happen through the entire nation observing the government’s directions. Meanwhile, as of now, unless new restrictions are announced, customers can continue to shop online and for many it will be a lifeline. You will, I am sure, have seen that delivery promises are being adjusted by most merchants so that customers are aware that orders may take a little longer to ship. I understand that readers in the gardening sector have been inundated with orders for plants and seeds as consumers decide to try to grow some of their own fresh food. Similarly, I understand that loungewear, joggers and trainers have enjoyed a spike in sales as people dress down to suit working at home. Demand for home office furniture has also risen, not to mention video conferencing which is helping to meet the need for face to face contact from a distance.
For some of our readers who are used to spending hours every single day commuting, the quality of life gained by working from home will be a revelation. Productivity may well increase as with fewer workplace distractions to deal with, many will find extra quality time to work on problem solving, analysis and longer- term planning projects. Not to mention time with immediate family, and time to help others.
It won’t be an easy period by any means but we will come through it, in most cases stronger and better prepared to handle anything that life throws at us.
In the meantime, we at Direct Commerce remain at our desks, keen to hear your news and any tips you would like to pass on to others. Feel free to get in touch.
Take care JRH
4 Direct Commerce |
www.directcommercemagazine.com
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